Meeting at Chisholms mills at 10 am Saturday . Centre airbags in tandem canoes and wetsuits or drysuits absolutely required. The level is extremely high this week, near record so if you flip you could go a long way. We'll do the lost channel section in the afternoon. Contact via email to confirm
John Hackert [johnhackert@scarboroughskiclub.org]
Due to flooding on the Moira, which is predicted to remain for the next week, we are re-scheduling our trip to Saturday April 26.
The Moira River north of Belleville provides a fun day of paddling from Lost Channel to Latta on a spring day.
The river provides a great opportunity for good novice moving water paddlers to move up to an intermediate level river. We'll meet at Chisholm's Mill at 9:30, do a car shuttle, and then warm up the easier lower section down to Latta. The rapids are not difficult; just a fun rollercoaster ride, with some surfing waves along the way. We'll go back to Chisholm's for lunch at the cars, and then do a shuttle to run the more technical and challenging Lost Channel section. We should finish up around 4:00, and then we can hit the nearby dairy along the highway. Boats should have full flotation, and you will need a wetsuit or drysuit.
Please note that as at the time of posting the river levels and weather cannot be predicted, the date could be changed if levels are not suitable or the weather is inclement. I like to play, and float along chatting with people. My idea of a fun outing isn't paddling in freezing rain muttering to each other "don't worry, we'll soon be finished if we hurry." So if you sign up, you needn't worry that you are committing to a survival exercise-just a fun day.
This very popular annual trip seems to be a great draw for all levels of paddlers. We are now into the 10 year doing this and we’ve enjoyed perfect weather (most times), portage free paddling, and a social barbeque that has followed our outing. This is a wonderful day to enjoy an easy moving water river and to socialize with other WCA’ers. The trip will start in south Cambridge where we will put in and then paddle to Paris. We will pass through scenic farm country, negotiate some easy grade one water, and stop for lunch along the way. Those interested are welcome to join us back at our house in Cambridge for some food, beverage, and social time.
Meeting at 10 am at Chisholm's Mills.
the level of difficulty is about intermediate but the swims are fairly safe.
Participants must have a wetsuit or drysuit and tandem canoes must have a centre airbag. I can be contacted via email. We will be able to eat lunch in our cars.
Join me on this classic early spring favourite of Toronto area paddlers. We’ll catch the Credit in Streetsville and run down to the mouth at Port Credit. The river is a delightful continuous class 1 to 2 with lots of play spots. However, note that this year sweepers and other debris may be a greater than usual hazard, with the December ice storm taking down a lot of trees & branches. As well, the water will be cold. You should have solid basic moving water skills, and wear a wetsuit or drysuit. Boats should have air bags in them. We'll have lunch on the river at a park near Dundas Street, so bring something to eat. We usually finish the trip around 3 PM.If Old Man Winter continues to hold his grip on us, the trip will be moved back to April 13.
Join us for an early spring run (water levels permitting) on the Credit from Inglewood to Glen Williams. Some competence in moving water is helpful. Suitable for novices. A potluck dinner will follow at the home of Barb & Dave Young in Brampton.
Note: Lower Madawaska Trip Option for Sunday added.
Please join us for our traditional camping weekend at Palmer Rapids. We stay at Jessup's campsite right on the river at the rapids. This is a fun, relaxed Canada Day weekend suitable for novice or better moving water paddlers. Probably more people had had their first taste of moving water here than in any other spot in Ontario. There are a couple of sets of Class 1-2 rapids almost outside your tent door. I'm happy to give some informal paddling pointers to new river runners.There's a sandy beach where the kids can play or swim. For family members who aren't into paddling, there are restaurants and interesting shops nearby in Wilno and Barry's Bay.
For those who want more of a challenge, we can join Andrew Craig on his trip down the Lower Madawaska on Sunday.
We're going to be there from Saturday morning to Tuesday, but you can come & go at any time.
You will need a Royalex canoe with flotation, and a helmet, along with the usual PFD and paddle. Canoes can be rented nearby at Paddler Co-op (see their website), or from Don Adams in Griffith, who will deliver to Jessups for a fee (613-333-2240). If renting, tell them you want thigh straps in the canoe. It will make a huge amount of difference to your control.
A bunch of us did the Black last Sunday and it was a great day of playing around and practicing in very easy rapids, and doing lots of socializing. It's one of the best places around to get started in moving water.
The water levels on the Black are slowly falling. It’s around 35 CMS right now. Showers are forecast Thursday & Friday, which should slow the drop. Saturday’s forecast is sunny & 17. On Sunday it drops to a very chilly 7. So Saturday would definitely be the day to go. This will probably be it for the spring for the Black. If you would like to join me, please let me know. We’ll meet again at 11:00. See previous week's listing for this trip for driving instructions, etc.
**** The WEIR WATCHER team is complete - thank you ****
Now confirmed - Paddle the Don will take place on Sunday May 4th, 2014!
If you are just interested in canoeing the river, mark your calendar for March 12th at 10:00am. when the event will open on the Paddle the Don website (www,paddlethedon.ca).
yes this is a reminder of the Wine and Cheese paddle
We are not booked up as there have been a couple of cancellations and as a bonus it looks to be warmer than some years and water levels are currently high. Maybe too high but a couple of weeks should remedy that.
This could be an ideal year to try that Spring canoe trip...good food good company and a great river run