Join us for the 11th annual spring paddle and find out why reasonably intelligent and mature adults would subject themselves to the vicissitudes of early spring paddling and camping.
We paddle from above Aumonds Bay to the take out at Griffiths a distance of only 28 km. The pace is leisurely with only the Sunday being a full day of paddling.
Lots of time is available for playing in the rapids or just chatting and nibbling. Rapids range from class 1 to 4, all are portageble and there are two falls to portage around.
Hopefully water levels will be high and in the past we have experienced rain, hail, snow and sunshine all in the same day so participants must be suitably experienced and prepared.
We've had to postpone this trip a week from its original date due to flood level river conditions in central Ontario.
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. As the water will still be cold, you will need a wetsuit or drysuit. As this is a fun play & practice day, and I don't find paddling in cold rain much fun, the outing is weather dependent. Email me as soon as possible if you want to join us.
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 pushing boats through shallows in freezing rain.
GatFest is a challenging C3+ Festival for WhitewATer Fanatics. There is always lotza huge water in the Gatineau and there will be hundreds of paddlers having tons of fun.
Enjoy big waves, surfing and ferrying where there is always lotza water. McCoy's Rapid at level -2.5 is awesome. Swimming the Ottawa River Center Channel Chutes is also big water fun, even for 6 year olds. Recovery pools and chutes are fun to swim in during hot summer weather.
The Ottawa River Center Channel is a great day of whitewater paddling with plenty of big wave action and tons of water. The level Owl Guage is at about -1.75
Looking for whitewater ??? There is lotza water in the Ottawa River. We are currently 2 boats paddling the center channel on Sunday. To join us, sign up below.
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. Running down the Lower Madawaska for the day is also a possibility.
We're there Friday to Monday, 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.
This event will NOT BE FREE THIS YEAR. There will be a registration fee per canoe. The amount has not been confirmed yet. You still have to register in advance and it will fill up quickly, so register early. The target date to open the online registration is March 5. You will still be able to help raise money to support regeneration projects within the Don watershed by completing a pledge form from the website. Go to http://www.paddlethedon.ca/ for more information and to sign up for 2013 event notifications when available.
Paddle the Don River – Sunday May 5, 2013 Join us for the 20th annual Manulife Paddle the Don River day. This half a day paddle starts at Ernest Thompson Seton Park (enter via Wilket Creek Park on the west side of Leslie Street, north of Eglinton Ave East) and winds its way south for about 10.5 km to the Keating Channel at Lake Ontario. Members of the WCA will be helping out as volunteer weir watchers along the way. The river is flooded for this event so there will be moving water, swifts and rapids. There are three weirs; the first two must be portaged and the third may be run. Bring your white water canoe, paddling gear for cold water, and a camera. The river offers a unique view of the city landscape, city wilderness and maybe wildlife. The takeout is located at 170 Villiers Street at the northwest corner of Villiers Street and the Don Roadway. Here you will find free entertainment and food and drink for purchase (or you can bring your own lunch). A free shuttle bus will take you back to the start where you can pick up your car and drive back to the takeout to pick-up your canoe.
