If Usain Bolt’s the fastest person on land, then who’s the fastest person on water at paddling a canoe? Maybe it will be one of the paddlers taking part in the Gunflint Trail Canoe Races that will be held July 17 at Gunflint Lodge. If not, it won’t matter. The canoe races are a whole lot of fun and a great way to earn money for the Gunflint Trail Fire Department. Photo courtesy of Vi Nelson
The annual Gunflint Trail Canoe Races will be held at Gunflint Lodge on the south shore of Gunflint Lake on Wednesday, July 17, beginning at 4 p.m. The underlying mission of the event is to support the efforts and growth of the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department (GTVFD).
According to GTVFD Chief Jim Morrison: “Funds from the Canoe Races support GTVFD Emergency Medical Services. We have a new ambulance that offers much safer operations and a gentler ride to town for responders and patients. We have added glucagon, an IM injection for folks having a diabetic crisis and are unconscious. With the increasing problems with opioid overdose we now carry Narcan.
“Thanks to all the donations we receive from the community we are able to provide these services and continue to upgrade them.”
There’s something for everyone at the 2019 Gunflint Trail Canoe Races:
. Seventeen Canoe Races for multiple ages and abilities and plenty of space to cheer on your favorites from Trail resorts and campsites. All are welcome to register onsite. Bring your own canoe and paddles.
. A Food Tent with delicious North Woods supper staples, including home-baked dessert choices will be available starting at 4:30 p.m.
. Auctions – both Silent and Live auctions are always a highlight of the Races. Items will come from up and down the Trail and throughout Cook County, including many hand-made treasures.
. T-shirts – A commemorative fundraising 2019 Canoe Races T-shirt will be available onsite for just $20. If you’re not able to attend the races, T-shirts may be purchased online where additional donations to the GTVFD will be accepted. The URL is: www.customink.com/fundraising/gunflint-trail-2019
. Raffle winner – Last but not least, one lucky $5 raffle ticket holder will win a bright yellow Current Designs Solara 120 kayak, worth $800. Winner will be announced just after the concluding fun-to-watch Gunnel Pumping Canoe Race. The kayak will be on display at Trail Center prior to the big day. Raffle tickets are available at numerous resorts and from volunteers.
An active committee of the Gunflint-Seagull-Saganaga Property Owners Associations, working with volunteers from up and down the Trail, have made the races a success for more than 40 years.
This year’s overall chairman, Bob Baker Sr. of Gunflint Lake, notes, “the canoe races are a true expression of how our Gunflint Trail community works together to make living in the wilderness better and better each year, for residents and visitors alike.”
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