**TOURISM TIMMINS NEWS RELEASE**

New to this year’s growing Great Canadian Kayak Challenge & Festival is the SUP Paddle Battle.
Rebel Soul Tribe, in partnership with Tourism Timmins, has taken the lead in bringing the stand-up paddle board (SUP) community together during this year’s festival. A fun, recreational 3km challenge has now been added to the list of many activities you’ll get to enjoy at the festival.

“I started offering SUP Yoga classes this summer, as well as hosting SUP Social casual paddling events. The SUP community here is growing rapidly. It’s a great way to connect with others and the nature that surrounds us here in Northern Ontario” said Sylvie, Head Rebel at the Tribe. “I noticed many of these kinds of challenges taking place on the water ways down south and thought it would be great if we had the same here in Timmins and the Kayak Festival is the perfect fit for it”.

Entrants will be paddling down the Mattagami River in hopes of taking home 1st, 2nd or 3rd prize, generously sponsored by Full Beard Brewing, making this a 19+ event. All participants will also be placed into a draw for a chance to win a Rebel Soul Tribe trucker hat.

“We’re very excited to be adding a stand-up paddle board challenge to this year’s growing list of activities. I’m happy to be able to offer the City of Timmins boards to the first 9 participants to enter the race, recognizing that not everyone has a stand-up paddle board. Anyone interested, even at the beginner level, is encouraged to sign up for this challenge. It’s really just about getting on the water, having fun and finishing what you started” said Guy Lamarche, Manager Tourism, Events.

Early registration for the Paddle Battle has been extended to Monday, August 19, 2019. You can register for the event online at https://tinyurl.com/y4ek3rwl. To secure one of the City of Timmins boards email Sylvie at rebelsoultribe@gmail.com, boards are available on a first come, first served basis. Rebel Soul Tribe is also hosting a community SUP Social event on Tuesday August 20th at 7pm bringing the paddling community together to enjoy a casual stroll down the Mattagami River and prepare for the upcoming challenge. Everyone is welcome to join — SUPers, kayakers, and canoers will be meeting on southwest side beach by the bridge.

Filed under: Local News