Challenge The Shield

09/10/2026

72 hours to the start of our Challenge the Shield Adventure Race and we still haven't announced the CP72 mystery backcountry challenge for 125 points. Here's a hint! Ideas?

09/09/2026

Race sneak peek!
The popular island challenge is back and now with More Cowbell!
Paddle, trek, or MTB your way to CP71 and score 125 points. 4 days to race day!

09/05/2026

Whether you need something small like a whistle, a dry bag, a waterproof map case, or a compass
or
you need something a little bigger like a new kayak paddle, a life jacket, or a canoe
or
you want some paddling lessons...
White Squall Outdoor Store has you covered! With both a "town store" and a "lake-side" store, they are the most knowledgeable outdoor staff out there and also the friendliest! White Squall is a sponsor of our race once again this year - and once again they are offering every participant and every volunteer a special discount on race weekend from September 11-14. See last week's Challenge the Shield race email for more details!
Thank you White Squall Outdoor Store and thank-you participants for supporting our awesome Paddling centre and Outdoor store!

http://www.whitesquall.com/

In the heart of Parry Sound, our Outdoor Store carries quality outdoor gear, casual, active outerwear, footwear, tops and bottoms for men and women, plus rain gear & boots for adults and kids. Our second location, The Paddling Centre sells kayaks, canoes and SUPS and also has rentals.

09/04/2026

10 days to race day and the race course is being set up by our navigation guru Katarina Smith! Katta is a former member of the Swedish orienteering team taking medals in major international races.
How does she describe the new terrain for this year's race? "So Beauitful". There you have it. 'nuff said.
The team list, pre race info, and event guide are all posted on our website.
See you soon!

08/28/2026

Do you have kids between the ages of 6 and 18?
Do you live in/near Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, K-W, or Niagara?
Check out Adventure Running Kids!

08/01/2026

6 weeks to our sold out Challenge the Shield Adventure Race.
This year's race will include four backcountry 125 point challenges. The popular swim-run challenge is back as well as the MTB relay and island challenge.
For our NEW 4th backcountry challenge we got inspiration from the Rockstar adventure race from 8-10 years ago. Any ideas what our mystery challenge is?

07/21/2026

Just under 8 weeks to race day and we have sold out all team spots for our September Adventure Race. Email us to be added to our wait list.

07/10/2026

More photos from our recent CTS Adventure Race course testing. Race is 95% sold out!

06/29/2026

The popular island checkpoint is back and now with more cow bell! 🔔
Last year these guys on Team Ultimate Rizzbee gave us the idea to ring a cowbell on the island during this backcountry 125 point CP challenge! We loved it so much we are adding it to this year's race. But our race volunteer on the mainland, will make you go back to the island again if he feels he's gotta have more cow bell. 🔔 Special prize to the first team that rings the island CP cow bell.
Race day is September 13th but only 10 team spots remain.
Fee increase at midnight on Canada Day!

06/02/2026

The Challenge the Shield Adventure Race is 2/3rds sold out! Race fees go up on July 1st.
Join us on Sept 13th for a 6-hour adventure combining trekking, paddling, MTBing, and our famous end-of-race swim run. All on customized race maps.
This race sold out the last two years so register now to avoid disappointment.