In July of 1979, Janice Matichuck and Peter Puddicombe organized and ran the first Marsh Mash Canoe and Kayak Race. While training for the race, and setting up the course, they found the weeds to be so thick that they literally had to “Mash” their way through – hence the name the Marsh Mash. The race started at the Highway 11 bridge and the Holland River. The course was one complete lap of the canal that surrounds the Holland Marsh – a distance of approx. 27.5 km. The event was supported by local Bradford merchants, the South Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority, and the Moro family from the Holland Marsh. The following year Janice and Peter moved away, and the Conservation Authority ran the race. Peter Seibert from the Conservation Authority was very supportive of the race. Robert Alsop did the bulk of the work for the Conservation Authority. In those early years framed native prints were the prizes. In the mid eighties the Conservation Authority suffered some serious funding issues, and were not able to provide assistance to run the race. Iain Craig, who had been involved from the start, took over the organization and running of the race. By that time the race date had been moved into mid June (an attempt to beat the weeds). The race start/finish location moved to the Portuguese Cultural Centre on Canal Road.
In May of 1985 a tornado ripped through the Marsh, leaving incredible amounts of debris in the canal. Amazingly the Drainage Commission had the canal clear in time for the Marsh Mash. In the late eighties the single Canoe (the C1) became a popular class.
By the early nineties the course was changed to use only the north part of the canal – it was too difficult to keep the entire course clear. The race continued to attract many of the top Marathon Canoe and Kayak racers in the province.
In 2001 the Marsh Mash found a new home. The start and finish was at the Springdale Christian Reformed Church (about 1.5 km west of Highway 400 on Canal Road.), now the Sovereign Grace Church. This new location, with a large parking lot, washrooms, an indoor registration area, and a kitchen for preparing refreshments, worked out extremely well. By 2006, the race date was changed into May – to avoid conflicts with an increasing number of Dragon Boat and Outrigger races.
Holding the race in May meant that there were fewer weeds. By 2007, the Marsh Mash became a World Team Qualifier. Young kayakers who wanted to represent Canada at the World Marathon Canoe and Kayak Championships, had to compete for a position on the team by competing in a Qualifying Race. The Marsh Mash continues to be a World Team Qualifier.
A highlight of the 2013 race was having two Olympic Medalist attend and compete at the event. Mark Oldershaw, Bronze Medalist in the C1 1000m at the 2012 Summer Olympics, and Adam van Koeverden, Silver Medalist in the K1 1000m at the 2012 Summer Olympics.
In 2019 there were 100 registered paddlers. The number of Stand Up Paddleboard competitors is increasing. There were no races in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.
Starting in 2022, several classes will paddle the 28 km course that goes around the Marsh – just as they did when the race first started in 1979. The Race continues to be a World Team Qualifier.
The race continues to operate in a partnership with Iain Craig and his family, and the BWG Community Services Department.
