Have you ever thought about winter camping? Not sure where to start? Do you have questions about gear and logistics? Then this is the course for you! We will discuss the basics of winter camping (hot tenting with a portable wood burning stove), gear requirements, tent set-up and such. This one-hour educational workshop hosted at MEC's North York location will answer all the questions you may have about beginning to winter camp.
My paddling friend Yiu-Yin called me to say she has just taken a paddling course that included work on recovering broached canoes on the river. She suggested we get together to do some dry-land practice. We thought there might be other paddlers who would like to come along to see how various rope recovery systems are set up or get some hands-on practice.
For those of you who are new to the problems you could be facing if you broach a canoe in a rapid on a trip, we can have a discussion of the problems you will face, and the logistics, equipment and risks associated with recovering it and its cargo. It would be great if some experienced trippers who have been faced with such challenges came along to talk of their experiences, both good and bad so we can learn from them. We'll set up some progressively complicated mechanical advantage rope systems on my front lawn so participants can get hands-on practice. If someone has a vehicle with a towing eye or accessible frame structure, we can set up a Z-Drag and tow it up the street from a tree near the curb to demonstrate the leverage such systems can produce. If anyone wants to heat things ups, we can get into the classic debate on whether on river trips it is better to tie packs in, tether them, or leave them to float free if the canoe comes to grief.
This is an informal, interactive, hands-on skills-building experience that any canoe tripper will find useful. If you have nothing else planned for this Sunday morning, come join us for some rope-slinging fun that will bewilder my neighbours.
We will meet at my house in Scarborough at 9:30 am. And should wrap things up (pun intended) before noon.
Registered participants will be provided with my address.
Are you heading out for your first hiking or camping trip and confused about what you really need to bring? Are you worried about how you are going to carry all that gear? Or, are you a seasoned veteran who is serious about lightening the load? Then this course is for you! We will be exploring the basics of ultra-lightweight hiking/canoeing/camping techniques, where to start, how to be mindful with gear selection/purchasing and introduction to food dehydrating. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or just beginning your camping journeys, this course has something for everyone.
Have you ever thought about winter camping? Not sure where to start? Do you have questions about gear and logistics? Then this is the course for you! We will discuss the basics of winter camping (hot tenting with a portable wood burning stove), gear requirements, tent set-up and such. This one-hour educational workshop hosted at MEC's North York location will answer all the questions you may have about beginning to winter camp.
For all you new and experienced whitewater paddlers, we have rented Albert Campbell CI swimming pool in Scarborough again for winter pool training sessions. This is a great opportunity to practice your paddling technique and your roll, or just plain work-out so you're in shape when you hit the spring rivers. OC-1, C-1, or kayaks welcome. I have a few spare boats (open canoe, C-1, and kayak) for newbies or paddlers just wanting to try something different from their usual boat. They're available on a first come; first served basis. If you are having problems with your roll, we can help you. We have 10 rentals of 1.5 hours from Sunday January 6 to Sunday March 10.Time: 5:30-7:00 p.m. For just $140 for your share of the rental cost, you can have a whole winter of learning and paddling fun. Please contact me to register as soon as possible as space is limited.
Cheques should be payable to me as I'm paying the rental fee; not the club.
Sorry, but you can't register on-line. You have to contact me personally if you want to join in so I can manage the organization effectively. Thanks.
The course on March 24-25 is full
If you are still interested in taking a Wilderness First Aid Course, but couldn't make this date
There is a chance to sign up on at the www.cwmt.ca website
I arranged for WCA members a 10% discount as a WCA member.
Please contact Emmy
Update - March 7, 2018
it is a definite go, the course,
get your 50 dollar discount - contact Emmy
So if you waited, please join us
Sign up is extended till March 20th
Wilderness First Aid Course OVERVIEW
This 2-day skills based program represents the minimum standard of training for the outdoor leader, instructor, guide or recreational adventurer. It provides a practical perspective on dealing with common wilderness injuries through to life threatening situations.
The program is divided between classroom and practical skills, utilizing scenarios and simulations to enhance learning and develop effective interventions and competent patient care.
For all you new and experienced whitewater paddlers, we have rented Albert Campbell CI swimming pool in Scarborough again for winter pool training sessions. This is a great opportunity to practice your paddling technique and your roll, or just plain work-out so you're in shape when you hit the spring rivers. OC-1, C-1, or kayaks welcome. I have a few spare boats (open canoe, C-1, and kayak) for newbies or paddlers just wanting to try something different from their usual boat. They're available on a first come; first served basis. If you are having problems with your roll, we can help you. We have 10 rentals of 1.5 hours from Sunday January 7 to Sunday March 11.Time: 5:30-7:00 p.m. For just $140 for your share of the rental cost, you can have a whole winter of learning and paddling fun. Please contact me to register as soon as possible as space is limited.
Cheques should be payable to me as I'm paying the rental fee; not the club.
Sorry, but you can't register on-line. You have to contact me personally if you want to join in so I can manage the organization effectively. Thanks.
For all you new and experienced whitewater paddlers, we have rented Albert Campbell CI swimming pool in Scarborough again for winter pool training sessions. This is a great opportunity to practice your paddling technique and your roll, or just plain work-out so you're in shape when you hit the spring rivers. OC-1, C-1, or kayaks welcome. I have a few spare boats (open canoe, C-1, and kayak) for newbies or paddlers just wanting to try something different from their usual boat. They're available on a first come; first served basis. If you are having problems with your roll, we can help you. We have 10 rentals of 1.5 hours from Sunday January 8 to Sunday March 12.Time: 5:30-7:00 p.m. For just $130 for your share of the rental cost, you can have a whole winter of learning and paddling fun. Please contact me to register as soon as possible as space is limited.
Cheques should be payable to me as I'm paying the rental fee; not the club.
Sorry, but you can't register on-line. You have to contact me personally if you want to join in so I can manage the organization effectively. Thanks.
Paddle the Don River – Training/information session – April 21, 20106
TRCA will be holding a volunteer training day on April 21st at the North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge Street, Toronto ON M2N 5V7 (Yonge Street north of Sheppard Avenue), from 6:30-8:00pm in Committee Room 1. At this training we are going to be going over:
• what happens at the event,
• safety procedures,
• general volunteer roles,
• and AODA training (we will do this at the end, so if you have already done it, you won't have to do it again).
This will be a great time to meet the other volunteers and get a good sense for the event. If you can't make it to this meeting that is OK too, we are going to give everyone a briefing the day of the event.
The TRCA would like to have “hip-waders in water” training session. This will be split between the Scouts and WCA members. It is a four hour session with two hours in a classroom and two hours in a pool. The Hip-waders will be supplied for the training and for the Paddle the Don event. However, taking this training does not mean you will be using hip waders at Paddle the Don.
IMPORTANT: I would like to open this up first to WCA members who WILL commit to be a weir watcher at Paddle the Don and willing be in the water assisting the public. If there is space to fill then other members can sign-up. NOTE: This consists of two 2-hour sessions in two different but nearby locations.
