The 2024 Chesterville Kayak Club poker run began as some kayakers were still putting their boats in the river. Thompson Goddard Photo

CASS BRIDGE – The weather was a bit cloudy and cool, but that didn’t stop the enthusiasm felt by organizers and participants in the 2024 Chesterville Kayak Club Poker Run.

2024 marked the 13th poker run for the club which continues to be a popular spring event.  Organizers mentioned how the river was running fast for the event due to the recent rain.

Over 60 kayakers, from many areas of SDG and beyond its borders, began the paddle down the river to Chesterville at 10 a.m.  This was a fundraising event in support of Camp Kagama; Carefor North-Stor Support Centre; Naomi’s Family Resource Centre and a local cancer charity in memory of Mike Kearns, past club president, who passed last Fall.

The event began in the South Nation River adjacent to the Cass Bridge Conservation Area maintained by South Nation Conservation, concluding 10 kilometers downriver at the Chesterville Waterfront.

Organizers explained the first card was picked at the registration desk, with other cards selected at three other locations and the final card picked at the Chesterville waterfront.  It was mentioned how if a kayaker goes through the Rotary fountain near the waterfront in Chesterville they can swap a card.

Early in the afternoon a barbeque lunch was held at the Chesterville Legion, where prizes for the top five poker hands, and door prizes were awarded during a chance to swap stories and enjoy lunch.

The Chesterville Kayak Club would like to thank Greg’s Meats in Winchester, Mike Dean Local Grocer in Chesterville, Winchester Foodland, South Nation Conservation and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 434 in Chesterville for their continued support.