Whitewater

The Black River empties into Lake Simcoe south of Washago. There is a fun short section from the HWY 169 bridge crossing to the next concession road crossing to the west where the river loops around through a number of small rapids separated by flat sections. The section ends with an optional more challenging technical chute, followed by a Class 2 rollercoaster ride. This is an ideal spot for budding moving water paddlers to get some experience, and practice ferries and eddy turns. I'm happy do give informal pointers, and we're in no rush. The section of river is short enough that if you get cold or wet, you can quickly paddle out. However, if you want to work the section, you can play all afternoon. As a bonus, we meet at 11:00 so you don't have to haul yourself out of bed early to get there. We'll also finish around 3:00, so plenty of time to get back to the family dinner. Bring a lunch and we'll eat on the river. As the water will still be cold, you will need a wetsuit or drysuit. This is a relaxed day of paddling play & practice on a fun, forgiving stretch of river.

Seeking a 4th to round out a crew of 3 to paddle the spectacular Nahanni this July. From the North Canol we'll cross the height of land to The Moose Ponds then paddle down to Nahanni Butte (roughly 4 weeks total), self-orged, very low cost -- a trip of a lifetime.

We are re-scheduling this trip again; to Saturday April 16 in the hope that Mother Nature will cut us some slack and turn up the heat.

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.

The weather looks a lot better Saturday than Friday, so we are switching to Saturday the 26th.

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, downed trees over the winter can create sweepers, and participants need to be able to manoeuvre a canoe in moving water to avoid them. 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 the weather is unfavourable on the Friday, we'll move the trip to the Saturday or Sunday. It's not much fun paddling in cold rain.

Due to the weather and forecast, this trip will now be Friday, April 15, 2016.
Join us for the second run on the Humber river.
Meet at 8:00 am at the put-in located on the Humber Bridge Trail (road) off of Highway 27, north of Major Mackenzie Drive.
We will do a car shuttle to the take-out and back.
Take-out is on the river bank near 80 Dee Ave (Crawford-Jones Memorial Park - parking lot) off of Weston Road south of the 401 in Toronto
Hopefully this river will be high and moving like last year. There are lots of swifts and bends in the river to enjoy.
Last year my GPS went a total of 29.20 km in 4.59 hours with an average speed of 5.9 km/h.
We descended 154 m start to finish.
There are two weir to deal with. The first we slipped over last year in high water. The second is a mandatory portage in the middle of “The Country Club Golf Course” on Lloyd St in Woodbridge. There are high, steep rocky banks to climb up and down. We used ropes to haul the canoe up and down. A short portage across the fairway and back down into the river.
Bring some lunch and water, hot thermos works well too as we stop along the bank for breaks and photos.
Bring foul weather gear, we wore drysuits, gloves, hats, helmets, PFD. We had sun, rain, wind, snow last year.
Bring some warm dry clothing just in case. Leave some extras in your car too.
Bring a completely outfitted canoe or kayak and rescue gear if you have it and ropes to haul your canoe.
It is a long nice day on the river, we are in no rush. And we have the car shuttle at the end.
Allow for 7-8 hours.

At the end you will see a sign on the 401 indicating it is only another 250 km to Algonquin Park if you are interested.

By signing up for this trip you also agree to the conditions in the WCA liability waiver. Please locate it on the WCA website or I can send you one.

Canoes and Kayaks welcome.

**** NOW CONFIRMED **** We are thinking of Friday April 15 as a rain date, just in case.*****

join us for the 11th annual spring paddle/wine and cheese float and find out why reasonably intelligent and mature individuals subject themselves to the vicissitudes of early spring canoe camping.
We paddle from above Aumonds Rapids to the take out in Griffith, a distance of only 28km. The pace is leisurely with only the Sunday being a full day of paddling and most of that spent on the Snake Rapids section. Lots of time to play, socialize and nibble! Rapids are grade 1 to 4 and the water will be cold.There are a minimum of 2 portages around water falls.In the past we have experienced sun, rain , hail and snow ...all in the same day so participants will need to dress and pack appropriately.
suitable for intermediate paddlers. Limit 6 boats.

Due to the weather forecast calling for subzero temps we have decided to postpone the trip again until April 17th

Join us for an early spring run (water levels permitting) on the Credit from Inglewood to Glen Williams. Suitable for novices but some competence in moving water is helpful. There are two weirs we must pull over, two other obstacles which can generally be run and possible sweepers to be navigated. A potluck dinner will follow at the home of Rick Sabourin in Erin.

23rd annual Paddle the Don River – Weir Watchers wanted for Sunday May 1, 2016

We are looking for volunteers to help as Weir watchers. Register here, first on the WCA site and then let Mary Perkins and I know directly. We are looking for about 40 members to help us, help the public, in and out of their canoes. Also to operate a WCA booth at the end. The Scouts will once again be helping us too. A white water canoe is preferred on this moving water river. Now, I want everyone wish for lots of that white stuff and liquid to fall from the sky and fill up the reservoir for the event;-)

Options and required information.
If you have a preference of which weir you would like to be at let us know asap.
If you have a partner, need a partner or want a partner to canoe with, let us know asap.
If you are walking or biking in, let us know asap.
If you would just like to drive to the take-out and operate the WCA booth.
We will need your home and cell phone numbers and email address.
Please let us know asap if you have any other requirements or questions.

Check out http://paddlethedon.ca/ and https://www.facebook.com/PaddleTheDon for more information. Do not forget to click on the “Get Notified At Launch” button to be kept up to date on the event. DO NOT register to canoe the event on-line, just with the WCA.

See the other postings below about further training opportunities.

PLEASE NOTE: by signing up
1. you agree to the terms and conditions of the WCA waiver (this site: Club Activities, Outings, Guidelines, scroll to bottom for WCA Waiver)
2. you will be required to complete the AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) on-line training (about 45 min.) at http://www.mcss.gov.on.ca/en/serve-ability/01.aspx

Thank you Gary James and Mary Perkins

Just another relaxing summer weekend at Palmer Rapids on the Madawaska River, with the option of a run down the Lower Mad on Sunday organized by Andrew Craig. We stay at local farmer Harold Jessup's campsite right on the river at the rapids. This is an enjoyable weekend for novice or better moving water paddlers. Probably more people have 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. If people are interested in something a little different, we can do short basic river safety and rescue clinic- moving water swimming, rope work, recovering pinned canoes, etc.

For families, there's a sandy beach where the kids can play or swim. For those who aren't into paddling, there are restaurants and interesting shops nearby in Wilno and Barry's Bay.

We're going to be there from Friday afternoon to Sunday, but you can come & camp or go at any time.
You will need a whitewater 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 www.paddlerco-op.com), or from Madawaska River Rentals (see their website www.MadRiverRentals.ca ), or from Don Adams in Griffith, who will even deliver to Jessup's 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.

Andrew Craig tells us that nearby Madawaska River Shuttles makes a great homemade pizza on Fridays, and he will act as delivery man for those wanting to order pizzas. (Thanks, Andrew.). Check their website for menu.

For those looking for more sophisticated dining, there's the Wilno Tavern's well-known Polish buffet, as well as some good restaurants in Barry's Bay.

Please join us for our traditional camping weekend at Palmer Rapids. We stay at local farmer Harold Jessup's campsite right on the river at the rapids. This is a fun, relaxing weekend suitable for novice or better moving water paddlers. Probably more people have 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, if people are interested, Gary Ataman will take a run down the Lower Madawaska on Saturday, and Andrew Craig will do the same on Sunday.

I will be at Palmer all weekend to work with those who want to develop their moving water skills.

We're going to be there from Friday morning to Sunday, but you can come & camp; go at any time.
You will need a whitewater 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 even deliver to Jessup's 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.