Mark Major
A well- rounded athlete, Mark Major’s greatest accomplishments came while he paddled solo and tandem in Glengarry’s Raisin River and waterways beyond Glengarry’s boundaries.
Little wonder that canoeing became a passion of Mark’s at a young age as he is the eldest son of one of Glengarry’s legendary and prolific paddlers Bruno Major (1991 Inductee). Mark and his brother Miles raced the Raisin River a total of 8 times and achieved a 2nd place, three 4th place finishes and a 10th place in the span of their racing time together. Mark went on to paddle in the Raisin River Races with his then girlfriend and future wife Sylvie Campeau in 1985, and again in 1987 and 1988, twice coming in 2nd place, and once in 3rd place in the mixed category. In 1989, Mark then joined his father and paddled to a first place finish in the Raisin River Canoe Race, and would repeat the win in 1992 and ‘93. This father son duo set a record on low water in 1992, then broke their own record the following year in 1993. They had 2nd place finishes in the 1990 and ‘96 races and a 3rd place finish in 1994. Mark and his father competed in the Jock River Canoe Races, achieving three 2nd place finishes in 1991-92-93, a 3rd place finish in 1994 and a 1st place in 1996. Mark admits that paddling alongside his father, his mentor, will remain his best memories of his competitive years.
Much of Mark’s success as a tandem paddler in and away from Glengarry came when he teamed up with Corey Van Loon (2022 Inductee). These boys captured a first place finish in the Raisin River in 1990, and silver medals at the Provincial Championships in 1991 and 1992. At the National Championships in 1989, they finished 13th and in 1994 they finished 4th. Mark, while paddling solo in Provincial Championships achieved three 2nd place finishes in 1989-91-92, two 4th places in 1990 and ’94. Again, teaming up with Corey Van Loon in the tandem field, they achieved a 1st place finish in 1993 and a 5th place finish in 1989 at the provincials.
The North Canoe races (team of six paddlers) brought him and his teammates of Maurice Sauve, Corey Van Loon, Pierre Lavictoire, Joanna Faloon and captained by Bruno Major, to four 1st place finishes in 1990-91-92-93, and two 2nd place Provincial Championship finishes in 1989 and 1994. This brought them forward to winning a 2nd place finish at the Canadian National Championships in Quebec in 1989, and then a 1st place finish at the championship event in Ottawa in 1992.
In keeping with the sport, Mark also entered numerous triathlons that involved canoeing, bicycling, and running finishing in the top spots in the Rideau Canoe Club Triathlon, as well as the local Alexandria Triathlon. In 1988 he won the Sauve Real Estate Endurance Award which included events such as the Alexandria Cross Country Ski Loppet (15km), the Raisin River Canoe Race (21 miles) The Williamstown Foot Race (7 miles), and the Terry Fox Floatilla. In the off season, Mark took up the sport of cross country skiing as a means to remain in shape for the next season’s canoe races. This training brought him to compete in the 35 km loppet of the Gatineau 55 Cross Country Ski Race in 1989. In the subsequent years from 1990 to 1996, he increased his competitive distance by entering the 55 km event. In 1993 he placed an impressive 100th out of a field on 2000 skiers.
Mark’s elite athleticism and success were a result of his commitment to fitness, skill development, determination and fairmindedness. He exemplified the best of being a team player and often took on a mentoring role to those new to the canoe. Mark now enjoys golfing with his wife Sylvie and when time permits their 2 children, Emily and Adam. He continues to share his passion for canoeing with his brothers, family and friends through back country camping trips and fishing trips to Algonquin Park.
