More than 600 people took part in the fifth annual Lock & Paddle event at the Peterborough Lift Lock on Saturday (August 26), paddling their canoes and kayaks into the two tubs at the world’s tallest hydraulic lift lock to be lifted 65 feet (20 metres) into the air.
According to Parks Canada, a total of 403 canoes and kayaks were packed into the Peterborough Lift Lock over four lockages — which is more than previous events.
Organized by Parks Canada to celebrate the national historical site, the event returned after a three-year absence due to the pandemic. The theme of this year’s event was “Lift Your Spirits,” with Parks Canada encouraging all participants to decorate their vessels and wear costumes for the event.
For the first Lock & Paddle event in 2016, 138 canoeists and kayakers broke the world record for the number of canoes and kayaks in a single lockage. In 2017, that record was broken again for Canada 150 celebrations, when 328 canoes and kayaks filled the two chambers in a single lockage.
In 2018, the objective was to get as many paddlers as possible through the Peterborough Lift Lock in a three-hour period, with 262 canoes and kayaks making the journey. In 2019, for the first time, the event was held in the evening and featured a lighted paddlecraft parade, lighted night-time lockage, and free overnight camping.
The event was not held in 2020, 2021, or 2022 because of the pandemic.
