Discussion about Trips, Events, etc.

We are an "experienced" group of paddlers from Toronto who love wilderness but are now at the stage of life where long portages and technical whitewater are not in the cards.

We're looking for great 7 day (ish) canoe routes which offer lots of wilderness scenery. Ideally in the Ont-Que vicinity. Our list so far:

Temiskaming'Kipewa
La Verendrye
South Shore of Lake Superior
Quetico
Wabikimi
South Shore of Manitoulin

Also wondering about the Bowron Lakes in BC.

Grateful for any recommendations, trip notes, etc

Many thanks,

Rob

In the age of social media where Readers digest stories seem like epic novels there is no way to do Emil Maschek’s story justice, but it is a start.
And it is another story from the 50’s and 60’s that todays paddlers should know about.
Emil’s story is absolutely amazing and enthralling!
From his escape from eastern Europe after WWII finding and reuniting his family in West Germany through his paddle history and on to present times.
Emil’s first kayak race was with a boat he built himself in 1961 at Lock 22 in Peterborough, Ontario.
His boat building soon became his passion.
Emil was a very integral part of the evolution of design in canoe and kayak both recreational and racing that started in the 60’s
He also received National and International recognition for his designs.
From the recreational side of paddling Emil has a special spot in his heart and immense respect for another long time paddler that is no longer with with us that you should learn about.
Herb Pohl, author of “Lure of Faraway Places” Edited by James Raffan.
Emil designed, built and modified the boat for Herbs adventures and there are images of it in the book.

Emil was a student, teacher, coach and professor of all paddling disciplines and his passion was more than incontestable if you met him.
When I visited him it was even more evidence of this passion. From the collection of photographs and slides we looked there were images of many different people and paddle activities, some of which I have spent a fair bit of time searching for.

I first met with Emil in 1967 and became his Padawan (google that for you non Star wars fans :) ) in 1968 when I got my first kayak and he escorted us down the Grand River from the bottom of the Gorge to West Montrose. There would be many river runs down the Credit after that.

Emil was a Canadian Champion and represented Canada at the 1969 worlds at Bourg St. Maurice in France in K1 DR. where he finished 37th.
It was not until the 1979 worlds when another Canadian bettered that placing, and I was proud to do so!

I am just going to put a few images that only tell a small part of Emil’s story. Just like so many other paddlers of the time they did some pretty amazing things in all paddle sport.

This is just another reason why we need to find, save and share these stories and at the first reunion at Minden on the 15th, this is hopefully the start of a very worthwhile project by our paddling community.

Sorry don't have a photo album set up yet.
Just a link to a few facebook pics
Just getting a few ready for next weekend. :D
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10220123066211574&set=pcb.10220…

Join or follow us on our facebook page and help us in our search!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/255062685431683/

I am still finding lots of holes to fill in my search for 50's & 60's White water paddling history.
One of them is the open boaters.
I know that this time period played a major roll in how open canoe paddling/instruction developed in our province.
Before many of todays groups were founded many of these open boaters were involved with the kayakers of the time, many with the Ontario Voyageurs Kayak Club. (OVKC)
Going through old membership lists I discover that when I was a kid they had members like George Lust founder of the Wilderness Canoe Symposium (now named in tribute to him)
These paddlers influenced me a ton and helped take me on a paddling journey around the world.
We need to save these stories and images of their contribution to our WW paddling history.
If you know of any I invite you to join this cause of recording and saving their stories.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/255062685431683/

Jeff

PS this will be an on going project because we know this information may be a little slow coming out as personal treasures are found.

 We had 11 boats out today, 2 solo and 9 tandem. Lots of humans and one dog. One large tree looked like it was going to cause a portage but we all managed to squeeze through the branches. We had one portage at Cheltenham except for one brave paddler....see video: youtu.be/amKIQGppA0o 
All rapids run successfully. Lots of good food and stories back at Rick and Diane's place.

What we are hoping to do is reconnect and preserve Ontario's White water history.
We know back in the 50's to 70's there were some great WW paddlers across the province in all kinds of boats.
No matter what kind of WW paddling you did or know of someone who did during that time period we want to hear from you!

New Blog post !!!
In Search of Ontario's Whitewater Past
https://jeffmccollalifetimeoutdoors.wordpress.com/2019/03/28/in-search-…

Jeff

Well here is part one of a long story of this years Agawa trip.
Sue & Jim's Agawa Adventure!

Part I
https://jeffmccollalifetimeoutdoors.wordpress.com/2018/10/13/sue-jims-a…

Part II
Sue & Jim's Agawa Adventure Part II
https://jeffmccollalifetimeoutdoors.wordpress.com/2018/10/16/sue-jims-a…

Sue & Jim's Agawa adventure Part III
https://jeffmccollalifetimeoutdoors.wordpress.com/2018/10/18/sue-jims-a…

Part IV the final part is up.
Sue & Jim's Agawa adventure Part IV (the final)
Long yes, but very interesting to look through others eyes.
https://jeffmccollalifetimeoutdoors.wordpress.com/2018/10/22/sue-jims-a…

I knew this day was coming as Sidney's wife Barb kept me informed.

https://wp.me/pa5lOR-r

Jeff

La Cloche Prov. Park just south of Massey and Chutes Prov. Park, it is a great paddle destination.
Being able to capture a natural phenomena was just a bonus!

https://wp.me/pa5lOR-j

Jeff

Some excellent maps of great Ontario routes are available at www.unlostify.com

Hi WCA

I went 2 weeks ago to a white water rescue course with Boreal River I Just want share some pictures
is a amazing course during 4 days your learn everything about rescue.

a great course for all paddlers

photos:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-tLq-sImAYb3WcpmY7LS7dA7VGn9Zyw-?usp=sharing

thanks Sandro W.