Heather Wright/The Independent

The annual spring tradition of canoes racing down the Sydenham River in Shetland has been cancelled. 

The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority Foundation holds the Ontario Canoe and Kayak Association sanctioned races. In the past few years, rainy weather, flooding and pandemic have halted the race.

But this year, insurance concerns have sunk the race.

In a letter to Dawn-Euphemia Township, the board of directors of the foundation said “There has been a number of changes to the safety and insurance requirements that we cannot adjust to in time to ensure that all participants remain safe.”

It’s not clear whether the race will return next year.

Councillors expressed surprise by the move. 

The races have been a tradition since 1974. Last year, at least one family, the Craigs, marked 20 years of participating in the races unique to Lambton County.