Later this year the Mattawa River Canoe Race will be 42 years young.

The event is put on in late July every year by the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority and this year a North Bay company, Bay Distributors has signed on as a sponsor.

The first place team that wins this year will receive two locally built kayaks as the top prize.

Once again, there are competitive, family and junior races.

Last year, there were 70 boats and 130 paddlers overall.