A Family Affair

Au Sable Canoe Marathon, An Adventure Like No Other

The last weekend in July has been circled on the calendars of Rob and L.J. Bourgeois for two years.

It’s a fourth opportunity for the brothers to join forces for an adventure like no other: the adrenaline-fueled, emotionally draining and world-renowned Au Sable Canoe Marathon.

The two have been relishing the opportunity to compete in two different roles during the 120-mile race. It starts in downtown Grayling at 9 p.m. July 24 and ends about 19 hours later in Oscoda – with lots of paddling in the moonlight.

“It’s all I think and talk about,” said L.J., the younger of the two brothers who will race in the event.

“I’m sure I drive people crazy, especially my wife. I really don’t know how she puts up with me. And she still has a few months of dealing with me,” he said with a laugh.

Rob Bourgeois is a Consumers Energy employee who will not only be volunteering at the world-class race, but also will be a “feeder” for his brother for the third time. That role provides the nourishment and encouragement to an assigned racer at various stops.

Rollercoaster of Emotions “You get excited and you get pretty emotional,” said Robert, 48. “It’s a rollercoaster of emotions. It’s an adventure that’s for sure.”

In 2016, Rob gave food and supplies to his brother at a dozen stops along the way, including an extra paddle that was needed after one broke.

“Besides giving him fluids and nutrients, I had to monitor his health, since he’s exhausted, it’s the middle of the night and he’s wet. It’s very easy to get hypothermia.”

L.J., 44, said he’s had crippling aches and pains during the marathon that he has never experienced in other high intensity activities. And that includes training in the Marines and for mixed martial arts matches.

“There are times that you are in agony and question why you are doing the race,” L.J. said. “Your hands hurt and your fingers don’t want to bend. Then you feel pain in another area like your leg and all of the sudden your hands and fingers feel better. It’s really a crazy sensation.”

To get ready for the competition, which was on hiatus last year, L.J. has jogged hundreds of miles, including a 50k ultra marathon.

“Basically, it was me, my backpack with drink bladder and the trails with a cell phone for emergencies. I also concentrated on a lot of gym work for my first time. I am hoping to be more ready than ever.,” said L.J.

L.J. added that his feed team – his wife Danielle, brother Rob and friend Steve – were a critical component to his race weekend.

“I put literally hundreds of hours into this every year and it could all come crashing down during the race if anything gets messed up or goes unnoticed,” he said.

“They know me very well, they know how to read my moods and judge my health and condition.”

L.J. recalled the first year when Rob fed him when they met on the Mio Dam.

“The exchange went something like, ‘how ya doing?’ I said ‘OK’ he said ‘are you hurt or anything major?’ I said ‘everything hurts and I’m tired as hell.’ He said ‘so your good then?’ I said ‘yep.’ The team was told he’s good it’s going as planned.”

Everlasting Bonds

The brothers said the best part of being in the race is watching the racing teams and spectators who bring life to it.

“It’s amazing the bonds that you make with other racers and feed teams,” said Rob. “They are everlasting.”

During one race, Rob witnessed a racer in her 70s cramping up during the competition with her grandson.

“You can just tell she didn’t want to let him down,” he said.

Rob led the chant of “let’s go grandma” with other spectators and racing teams.

“She battled through it and finished,” he said. “That’s what this race is all about. People and perseverance.”

The Next Generation

Rob said his brother is constantly trying to get him to join as his racing partner.

“One of these years, I will get him to race,” L.J. said with a laugh.

But Rob has no interest in being in the canoe. “That’s not going to happen,” said Rob with a chuckle. “My vision of canoeing is floating with a beverage in my hand – not the same as his.”

Rob said he will continue to be a feeder as long as his brother will have him.

“It’s nice to have your brother’s trust,” he said. “This year I am very much looking forward to hugging him at the end of this race and celebrating with a bon fire and a nice big feast.”

L.J. is hopeful another family member will consider joining him in about eight years: his daughter Avery. “She’s nine now and she’s been awesome, really supportive of me doing this,” he said. “Hopefully if she takes me up on being my partner, the tradition will continue with her and her family one day.”

To learn more about the marathon visit www.ausablecanoemarathon.org

Good Luck Paddlers!

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FASTEST SPRINTS BY DIVISION

(New Course - 2016 - Present)

PRO DIVISION

PADDLERS (AGES)

Andrew Triebold (42) & Steve Lajoie (42) Mathieu Pellerin (25) & Guillaume Blais (30) Andrew Triebold (40) & Jacob DuBois (30) Andrew Triebold (43) & Steve Lajoie (43) Steve Lajoie (41) & Guillaume Blais (31) Christophe Proulx (21) & Ryan Halstead (29) Christophe Proulx (23) & Samuel Frigon (22) Nick Walton (45) & Guillaume Blais (32) Michael Schlimmer (30) & Ben Schlimmer (27) Christophe Proulx (22) & Samuel Frigon (21) YEAR SPRINT TIME POWER PHASE SPEED PHASE

2018 2016 2016 2019 2017 2016 2018 2018 2016 2017 4:47.15 4:47.93 4:49.03 4:49.52 4:51.58 4:52.30 4:53.20 4:54.13 4:54.36 4:54.88 2:49 2:48 2:45 2:51 2:54 2:49 2:51 2:53 2:46 2:55 1:58 2:00 2:04 1:59 1:58 2:03 2:02 2:01 2:08 2:00

WOMEN’S DIVISION

PADDLERS (AGES)

Hailey Halstead (25) & Rebecca Davis (26) Rebecca Davis (29) & Edith MacHattie (45) Rebecca Davis (28) & Edith MacHattie (44) Rebecca Davis (27) & Edith MacHattie (43) Mary Schlimmer (25) & Sarah Lessard (28) YEAR SPRINT TIME POWER PHASE SPEED PHASE

2016 2019 2018 2017 2016 5:41.41 5:42.61 5:43.11 5:44.86 5:47.15 3:27 3:31 3:28 3:30 3:27 2:14 2:12 2:15 2:15 2:20

MIXED DIVISION

PADDLERS (AGES)

Andrew Triebold (41) & Mary Schlimmer (26) Adam Gelinas (37) & Sarah Lessard (31) Trevor Robinson (44) & Edith MacHattie (42) Jorden Wakeley (28) & Hailey Halstead (27) Richard Lauth (46) & Mary Schlimmer (28) YEAR SPRINT TIME POWER PHASE SPEED PHASE

2017 2019 2016 2018 2019 5:03.48 5:18.95 5:24.19 5:28.71 5:31.04 2:57 3:12 3:14 3:26 3:21 2:06 2:07 2:10 2:03 2:10

MASTERS DIVISION

PADDLERS (AGES)

Andrew Triebold (42) & Steve Lajoie (42) Andrew Triebold (43) & Steve Lajoie (43) Graham Smith (42) & Matt Meersman (42) Nick Walton (44) & Matt Meersman (40) Eric Gagnon (40) & Serge Pagé (42) YEAR SPRINT TIME POWER PHASE SPEED PHASE

2018 2019 2019 2017 2019 4:47.15 4:49.52 4:59.36 5:07.16 5:14.60 2:49 2:51 2:59 3:05 3:09 1:58 1:59 2:00 2:02 2:06

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Enjoying Up North does not end with the canoe marathon. Take a fall color drive or canoe trip; the colors of contrasting evergreen and hardwood forests are gorgeous!

Photo courtesy of MI Travel & Tourism

11:00 p.m.

July 17th & 18th, 2021