This is an annual event held on the second weekend of September at the Minden Wild Water Preserve. In 2005 this race had its 25th running and is still going strong. Each year competitors, from the top OC Slalom races in North America to paddlers experiencing their first slalom, come from all over Canada and the United States. It is a friendly, social event on an awsome course.Gates are usually set up on the Friday before the race. The first classes are usually run starting Saturday afternoon and into Sunday, with the awards cerimony Sunday afternoon after the course has been diamantled.

Even if you don't feel like competing it is an exciting race to watch. The entire course is easily viewed from the paths along the river. You can sit on the rocks, sometimes only a metre or two from the gates as the racers pass through. The weather at that time of year is often sunny and warm, making the OC Slalom a great outing close to cottage country and only 2 1/2 hours from Toronto. This same course has hosted the Nationals in past years, and will be hosting the whitewater events of the Pan Am Games in 2015.

This is "the" event to go to if you have any interest in whitewater and canoes -- even just to watch. There are many many paddlers here to hang out with. It's a race, yes, but it's a major social event too.

On most years the race features the following classes:

• Men's solo
• Women's solo
• Men's Masters solo
• Women's Masters solo
• Men's tandem
• Women's tandem
• Mixed tandem
• Junior solo
• Junior/Senior tandem
• Mixed tandem
• Kid's Splash class (below the Otterslide)
• Glass solo

For more information check out the opencanoeslalom.com site.