Port Colborne duo to race paddleboard across Lake Ontario
Brad Petrus and Marty Parr have a big decision to make before Aug. 17.
One that will affect them both when they attempt the Niagara2Toronto Lake Ontario Crossing, a 51.5-kilometre paddleboard race.
The decision — whose standup paddleboard to use for the race, which ends at Toronto’s Cherry Beach after starting in Port Dalhousie.
At the recent sixth annual On Board fundraiser in Welland, Petrus, who took part in an Ontario SUP Series race and the charity paddle, said the pair had yet to figure it out.
The race allows for standup paddleboards (SUPs) up to four metres long or surfskis and surfskis with outriggers.
Competitors, men and women, can take part in the race on their own as solo paddlers; part of a two-person relay team, with either two men, two women or mixed teams; or part of a threeperson team, men, women or mixed.
During an interview earlier this month on a Lake Erie beach at Cedar Bay, the 34-year-olds said the race should be a challenge.
“I’ve never done anything this distance. I’ve done 20- to 25-mile solo paddle excursions but never had a recorded time or in race conditions. This will be new to me,” said Petrus.
Petrus said it’s exciting to see such a distance race in Ontario, adding it’s on par with races in California and Hawaii in terms of length.
“If conditions are perfect, it might be all right,” Parr said. “I think seven hours would be a good time. If the conditions aren’t favourable, we could be pushing eight hours.”
The Niagara2Toronto race website said air and water temperatures on the lake at this time of year are typically in the 15 to 21 Celsius range with conditions on the water running from flat to swells of more than a metre with 33 km/h winds coming from a variety of directions.
“My dad has a boat, a powerboat, on Lake Ontario. He’ll be our escort/spotter boat,” said Parr.
As they head across the lake, the two can switch positions on the SUP at any time they want.
The pair have been training on Lake Erie, their home lake. The two live on the shoreline.
“We’re paddling every day. I’ve been covering the distances I need to get ready for this,” said Petrus. “Lake Erie is consistently up and down as Lake Ontario.”
In addition to surfing, he’s been on the water on SUPs for the past 14 years across the U.K. and Canada.
Parr has been a surfer for the past 11 years, and for the past seven to eight has been using a SUP.
“If I didn’t live here, I don’t know if I’d be up for training as much,” said Parr, adding being steps from the beach makes it a bit easier leaving his family at home.
Asked why he decided to take in the race, Parr said because Petrus asked him.
“Actually, he begged me,” he said with a laugh. “I wanted to help him out and thought it would be a good challenge.”
Petrus said the two men are using the event to raise funds for causes that hit close to home for both.
“The race organizer (St. Catharines-based Ausmosis Board Craft) left it open to each team or paddler if they wished to raise funds for anything particular. Marty and I decided to pick Lake Erie Waterkeepers. They have some great initiatives for clean water and beaches.”
Petrus said the two also chose Wyldewood Surf Club, which has the same sort of initiatives as Lake Erie Waterkeepers and has been keeping beaches clean along the shoreline in the Port Colborne area since the early 1960s.
The two have picked up sponsors Breakwall Brewery, Grumpy Bob Surf and Skate, Five Lakes Consulting, Newton Financial, Sure-Fix Service Group, and Maple Leaf Collision and said people can make donations before the race.
People can get in touch with the two on Facebook or email bradmpetrus@gmail.com.
Depending on the weather, the race will take place Aug. 17 or 18 and could start in Toronto if there is a constant north wind that weekend.
The website said in the event the crossing is deemed unsafe both days, the race will be run on a nearshore course.