Thousands of people are anticipated to participate in Sunday's annual Port Huron Float Down, despite warnings from the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards.
The float down will begin at 1 p.m. at Lighthouse Beach in Port Huron, ending at Chrysler Beach in Marysville.
In a joint statement issued on Monday, the Canadian and U.S. Coast Guards said this unsanctioned event poses significant dangers to participants and other users of the waterway.
Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) Search and Rescue (SAR) Deputy Superintendent Kathleen Getty said it is an inherently dangerous activity, especially if you're not prepared.
"Taking part in this event, people just don't realize how dangerous it can really be," said Getty. "If you do go in the water, be sure that you have a life jacket and you're wearing it at all time."
Getty said those who do choose to participate should also avoid consuming alcohol, bring a paddle, stay near the shore, and have proper identification, including a passport.
"Once you get out into the middle of the river, the current can often take you in a direction you don't want to go such as to another country," she said. "And there's always some complications around that with making sure you report into either the RCMP or the U.S. parties to ensure they're aware you're in a foreign country."
During the float down in 2016, about 1,500 U.S. residents, many without identification, were pushed across the river to Canada on strong winds.
Getty also reminds participants to mark their floatation devices with their name and contact information using waterproof marker, just in case they're are separated from their floatie.
"Part of our concern as responders if we find a floatation, it means we're missing a person," she said. "That can really expend a lot of resources in that situation that may be unnecessary."
Transport Canada will restrict vessel traffic from the Blue Water Bridge to the upper end of Stag Island between noon and 7 p.m. on Sunday.
The Sarnia Police Service (SPS), Sarnia Fire Rescue, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), RCMP, Canadian Border Services (CBSA) and Lambton County EMS will also be participating in the coordinated response effort on Sunday.
Two years ago authorities estimated about 4,000 participants entered the river. In 2024, cloudy skies and gusty winds kept attendance down and only about 600 people ventured into the St. Clair River.
Environment Canada's forecast for Sunday is calling for cloudy skies and a 30 per cent chance of showers.