Whitewater

Opeongo and Lower Madawaska Weekend

We will be doing the Opeongo River on Saturday, levels permitting, and then the lower Madawaska on Sunday. We shall camp at a nearby cottage property on the Saturday night.
Saturday morning we will meet at the Shall Lake Access Point, #17, at 10 am, and then complete the necessary shuttle. As this river is in the Park there is a day fee that must be paid. By this time of year the ice on the lakes in the Algonquin area is usually off, and the water levels in the rivers are high. The Opeongo River is a brilliant spring run, with class 2 to 3 water, that is fairly continuous. The Lower Madawaska is more of a drop and pool scenario.

This is definitely an intermediate level whitewater trip. You should not be a novice whitewater paddler.

The Basics
Event Location: 
Opeongo River
Date(s) & Time: 
Saturday, May 13, 2023 - 10:00
Registration Cut Off: 
May 6, 2023
Event Duration: 
2 days, 1 night
Difficulty Rating: 
Intermediate
Participant Info
Who's Invited: 
WCA members
Maximum Group Size: 
6 boats
Minimum Group Size: 
2 boats
Itinerary
Itinerary description: 

Saturday Opeongo River, , Camp saturday night, sunday lower Madawaska. See me for fine details closer to date.

Required Items to Bring: 

While the air temperatures could be quite warm at this time of year, you should have either a wet suit or dry suit as the water temperatures are still going to be quite cold. Your white water boat should be outfited, as a minimum, with thigh straps, with bow and stern air bags.
Be prepared to camp in early May conditions. You will need 1 breakfast and 2 lunches. We will have a communal dinner.
I will supply more details directly to those people signed up for the weekend.

Recommended Items to Bring: 

I will provide more details to those people participating.

How to Get There
Event Directions: 

Saturday: Shall Lake Access point #17, Algonquin Park.
More details later. To be provided to people signed up.

Carpool Info: 

TBD

Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
iori miller
Phone: 
Please email to sign up

Mad River Whitewater - Creemore to Glencairn 14 km river, 90 min from Toronto

After a couple of years break, from my favorite river, the MAD River (near Creemore Ont) , cleaned itself up in the rains of early April 2023, and a group of WCA members ran the fourteen kilometers of fast moving whitewater fun (the river at that time of year rarely slows down) from Creemore to Glencairn

Please bring canoes that can handle hitting a few rocks (not your fancy kevlar or carbon fiber boats please) . I would prefer no Pac boats (gunnels too low) If Pac boat is s is all you have, please contact me before booking

The Basics
Event Location: 
Meeting Place - Riverside Dr and County Road 9 in Creemore Ontario
Date(s) & Time: 
Saturday, April 15, 2023 - 10:00
Registration Cut Off: 
Thursday at noon (last minute can be done but please be reasonable)
Event Duration: 
one day (five to six hours on water)
Difficulty Rating: 
Intermediate
Participant Info
Who's Invited: 
WCA members and friends of members
Maximum Group Size: 
6 boats
Minimum Group Size: 
2 boats
Itinerary
Itinerary description: 

Meet at Riverside Drive / County 9 in Creemore at 10am. Drop boats and gear. Shuttle as many cars as we can to Glencairn Conservation Area on Webster Road in Glencairn. Lunch will be on the river shore at Carruthers Memorial Conservation Area (parking fee applies ) (just upstream from where the MAD River flows under Airport Road) . From here the river slows down a bit until our take out at Glencairn Conservation Area.

Required Items to Bring: 

Lunch, PDF, paddles, canoe (leader will help pair people up) , wetsuit, or drysuit, change of clothes, helmet (please if you have one) payment for take out parking at Glencairn Conservation Area) . Rescue throw bag. Ten foot Painters front and back on canoe. Closed toe shoes. no flip flops

Recommended Items to Bring: 

change of clothes in car for after. A dry bag of a few spare clothes for on the water, an extra sweater for lunch. , sun hat if not wearing helmet.

How to Get There
Event Directions: 

From Barrie: Take County road 90 (Dunlop ST exit off hwy 400) to Angus. Turn right on County Road 10 (just after Yellow NO FRILLS building) . Continue on County Road 10 to County Road 9 (for New Lowell and Creemore). Drive through New Lowell, continue through Creemore to Riverside Drive. Riverside Drive is about 1.5 km past the Fire Station which will be on your left as you leave Creemore. Turn right on River side Drive to Put In, about half a kilometer north..

From western Toronto, drive up hwy 410 to hwy 89, right on hwy 89 to Airport Road and turn run left at Cashtown Corners to Riverside Drive. The Creemore RFire Station is at 7655 County Road 9 in Creemore Ontario, which one minute east of the Riverside Drive put in.

Carpool Info: 

Please drop the day leader an email as soon as you know you want to come, so that people with cars and canoes can be paired with those that need a seat.

Other
Cancellation Policy: 
Yes you could, but please be sure youu can come, please don't cancel
Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
Andy Hueton
Phone: 
705-220-9896

Upper Salmon River - This Trip is FULL

We will doing the Upper Salmon River water levels permitting.

Starting at Gull Creek and running this spring whitewater river down to Beaver Lake Area.  I last did this river in 2019 and it was a lot of fun.  Ranging from class 1 to 3.   There are a few Class 4/5 water falls we will portage around.  This is a wilderness river and fairly tight.   The river is around is around 10 km long.

 Participants should meet in Tamworth on Sunday, at 10:00 am

Note: My plan is to do the Moira River on April 15, 2023, which Bill Ness is organzing.  Once finished drive to Gull Creek put in and crown land back country camp in the woods near by.   On Sunday morning, meet everyone there.   If you want to join me shoot me an email.

The Basics
Event Location: 
Tamworth
Date(s) & Time: 
Sunday, April 16, 2023 - 10:00
Registration Cut Off: 
4/12/2023
Event Duration: 
1 day
Difficulty Rating: 
Intermediate
Participant Info
Who's Invited: 
Everyone
Maximum Group Size: 
8 boats
Minimum Group Size: 
2 boats
Itinerary
Itinerary description: 

See me after sign up

Required Items to Bring: 

Whitewater boat and relative equipment or team up with someone. I will try to coordinate this if you sign up early.

Recommended Items to Bring: 

Dry suit or wet suit

How to Get There
Event Directions: 

See me after sign up

Carpool Info: 

See me after sign up

Other
Cancellation Policy: 
Sign up if you at 100% sure you will attend
Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
Gary Ataman
Phone: 
905-922-1434

Black River at Washago

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 many 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 dry suit or wet suit. This is a relaxed day of paddling play & practice on a fun, forgiving stretch of river.

Optimal water flow is around 40-60 CMS. If it gets much above 60 CMS, the river gets washed out and is not much fun. In that case, we can move the date to the following Saturday. The river does come down relatively quickly. You can check the online gauge to see how things are shaping up as our trip date approaches.

https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=02EC002

As this is one of the best sections of easy moving water for learning whitewater paddling skills that is convenient to the GTA, if people want to come back at a later date when it's warmer for a day of skills drills, we can arrange that.

The Basics
Event Location: 
Black River, south of Washago
Date(s) & Time: 
Saturday, May 6, 2023 - 11:00
Event Duration: 
1 day
Difficulty Rating: 
Novice
Participant Info
Maximum Group Size: 
12 boats
Itinerary
Itinerary description: 

Please see above.

Required Items to Bring: 

Whitewater boat with air bag flotation. Drysuit or wetsuit. Bring a lunch in your boat as we will stop to eat on the river.

How to Get There
Event Directions: 

Those coming from the eastern GTA will take HWY 48 north to HWY 12. Then north on 12 to just past the village of Brechin, where you exit right onto HWY 169. Follow HWY 169 north for about 10 minutes to where the Black River goes under the highway.
Those coming from the western GTA will go north on HWY 400 to Barrie, and then continue north on HWY 11 to the exit for Washago at the north end of Lake Couchiching. Exit right onto HWY 169 and follow it south to the river.
For a signpost, look for Black River Wilderness Park on the west side of the highway. The park is just north of the river.
We put in on the northwest side of the bridge. Then, we do a quick 5-minute car shuttle to the bridge at the first concession road to the west.

Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
Bill Ness
Phone: 
123-456-7890
Email: 

Moira River-- This Trip is Full

On a spring day, the Moira River north of Belleville provides a fun paddling trip from Lost Channel to Latta.

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 on 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 traditionally hit the nearby Maple Dale Cheese store along the highway for ice cream and cheese. (Real Canucks can buy cheese curds here for homemade poutine.)
 

All canoes must have full flotation, and you are required to have a full wetsuit or drysuit as the water will be cold. If you arrive without these, you will not be able to participate.

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 Basics
Event Location: 
Moira River, north of Belleville
Date(s) & Time: 
Saturday, April 15, 2023 - 09:30
Registration Cut Off: 
April 3, 2023
Event Duration: 
1 day
Difficulty Rating: 
Intermediate
Participant Info
Maximum Group Size: 
8 boats
Itinerary
Itinerary description: 

We'll meet in the parking area by the river across the bridge from Chisholm's Mill at 9:30. Full day's itinerary is above.

Required Items to Bring: 

Full floatation for canoes as well as a wet suit or dry suit for all paddlers is required. If you show up without these, you cannot participate.
Lunch can stay in car. Just bring any snack or drink that you may want for the morning or afternoon runs.

How to Get There
Event Directions: 

Take Exit #544 north (HWY 39) from Hwy 401 at Belleville. Coming from the west, the exit is right after you go over the Moira River. Go north to the village of Roslin. Turn right onto Shannonville Rd. Go about 2 km and you will see the mill and the river. Go over the bridge and turn right into the parking area.

Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
Bill Ness
Phone: 
123-456-7890
Email: 

Lower Credit River--Trip Full

NOTE DATE CHANGE TO SUNDAY MARCH 26

 

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 big bouncy wave trains and play spots.There are loads of opportunities to practice easy ferries and eddy turns as we work our way down the river. 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 need solid basic moving water skills. A full wetsuit or a drysuit is required to participate (no exceptions). 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.

At this time of year, weather is unpredictable. As the weather is unfavourable on Saturday, we've re-schedule the trip for the Sunday. 

The Basics
Event Location: 
Lower Credit River, Streetsville to Port Credit
Date(s) & Time: 
Sunday, March 26, 2023 - 09:00
Registration Cut Off: 
March 23, 2023
Event Duration: 
1 day
Difficulty Rating: 
Intermediate
Participant Info
Minimum Group Size: 
12 boats
Itinerary
Itinerary description: 

We meet at the put-in at 9:00 am. Exit south from HWY 401 onto Mississauga Rd./Erin Mills Parkway. Follow Mississauga Rd. south into Streetsville, where it becomes called Queen St. Follow Queen to just south of Thomas St., then turn left onto Church St. (just past the church, of course). Follow Church around a curve & you'll see the river on the right. Vic Johnston Community Centre is on right, and just south of it is a park, which is where we put in. Washroom facilities in the community centre are open to the public. We do a shuttle with the objective of getting as many cars at the take-out as possible so we can car pool back to the start and no one has to sit around.
Consequently, roof racks capable of carrying more than one boat are appreciated. Lunch is on the river around Dundas St. We should reach the lake around 3 pm.
For the car shuttle, from the arena go back out to Queen St. Turn left (south). Queen changes into Mississauga Rd. Follow it south to Port Credit. Turn left just after going under the railway bridge, onto Front St. Park on Front across from Port Credit Canoe Club building or adjacent streets. At the end of our trip, take out at the canoe club dock, and do a short carry to the car.

Required Items to Bring: 

Whitewater canoe or kayak. Wetsuit or drysuit. Airbags for canoe. Lunch.

Recommended Items to Bring: 

For lunch, a thermos is recommended as weather can be cool.

How to Get There
Event Directions: 

Please see itinerary.

Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
Bill Ness
Phone: 
123-456-7890
Email: 

Whitewater Rescue Training I & II with Boreal River ~$380

Build a solid foundation of skills and knowledge for paddling and traveling on rivers. Gain the confidence to perform rescues and make smart decisions.

Take this course and achieve international certification that’s valid for 3 years. During that time, you can upgrade to the ‘technician’ level with the 3-day Whitewater Rescue Technician Bridge course.

https://rescue.borealriver.com/scheduled-course/wwr-magnetawan-may-27-2023/

The Basics
Event Location: 
Ahmic Lake Resort, Robinson Rd, Ahmic Harbour, ON
Date(s) & Time: 
Saturday, May 27, 2023 - 08:30
Registration Cut Off: 
When maximum group size achieved
Event Duration: 
2 long days plus 4-6 hours of on-line study beforehand
Difficulty Rating: 
Novice
Participant Info
Who's Invited: 
novice to intermediate paddlers,
Maximum Group Size: 
8 people
Minimum Group Size: 
3 people
Itinerary
Itinerary description: 

https://rescue.borealriver.com/courses/whitewater-swiftwater/whitewater-...
Pre-course prep:
you’ll get a link to an online learning platform. Budget about 4-6 hours to complete the work. Video and text lessons, quizzes, Read and sign course waiver forms.

Daily schedule:
Typically class starts at 8:30am and may go until 6:30pm.

Assorted accommodation available.

Required Items to Bring: 
How to Get There
Carpool Info: 

TBD

Other
Cancellation Policy: 
https://rescue.borealriver.com/cancellation-policy/
Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
Isadora van Riemsdijk
Phone: 
use email

July Weekend at Palmer Rapids, Lower Madawaska River

Please join us for our traditional WCA Canada Day summer weekend at Palmer Rapids on the Madawaska River. You can stay at Jessup's campsite right on the river at the rapids. This is an enjoyable weekend for both novice and experienced white water paddlers and an opportunity to meet WCA members and plan trips. 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 1-3 rapids almost outside your tent door. Bill Ness and other seasoned WCA members will provide informal paddling pointers to new river runners.
This is a lovely trip 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 shops nearby in Wilno and Barry's Bay.
Most will camp from Friday evening to Sunday but you can come & go at any time.
Bring canoes or kayak suitable for whitewater along with a helmet, PFD and paddle. Canoes and kayaks can be rented nearby at Paddler Co-op (www.paddlerco-op.com), or from Madawaska River Rentals (www.MadRiverRentals.ca). If renting, tell them you want thigh straps in the canoe. If you do not have a canoe you can likely share with other members.
On Sunday, depending on the weather and water levels, those with some experience will likely take a run down the Lower Madawaska.
On Saturday evening for those wanting a break from camp cooking we’ll enjoy the Polish buffet at the famous Wilno Tavern: www.wilnotavern.com
Subsequent to June 14 send your email address directly to tb@beakbane.com so I can give you access to a Google spreadsheet to coordinate shared equipment and carpooling.

The Basics
Event Location: 
Palmer Rapids https://goo.gl/maps/yt3CLnFEJKdCSL2GA
Date(s) & Time: 
Friday, June 30, 2023 - 16:00
Registration Cut Off: 
June 23, 2023
Event Duration: 
3 days - 2 nights
Difficulty Rating: 
Novice
Participant Info
Who's Invited: 
All WCA Members
Itinerary
Itinerary description: 

Arrive on the Friday evening or Saturday morning. You can paddle both days at Palmer Rapids. On Sunday we'll likely organize a trip down the Lower Madawaska River which is scenic and has a series of class 2-3 rapids. Depending on water levels these can be handled by experienced flat water paddlers if paired with someone more experienced.

If you are an experienced moving water paddler please join us to help newcomers learn.

Camping rates are $20 per tent per night or $25 for 2 people and $10 for each extra person.

NB: Subsequent to June 14 send your email address directly to tb@beakbane.com

Required Items to Bring: 

Canoeing gear and clothes. Be prepared for beautiful warm weather as well as cold and wet.
Bring bug spray and protective clothing. Generally the bugs aren't bad at this location.
Toilet paper for the outhouse.
Gear for field/car camping. Clean water is available from a well.

Recommended Items to Bring: 

Chair, beverages.
You can buy firewood at the camp ground.

How to Get There
Event Directions: 

https://goo.gl/maps/yt3CLnFEJKdCSL2GA
Direction to Palmers Rapids & Jessup’s Camp Ground:
♣ From Peterborough - go north up Hwy 28 to Bancroft.
♣ In Bancroft, turn left on Hwy 62 thought Maynooth and Combermere.
♣ In Combermere, just over the bridge turn right on Hwy 515.
♣ Just after you cross over the river again on your right you will see a local road (River Bend Road) turn right here --the river is on your immediate right.
♣ The road goes more or less straight.
♣ When it makes a sharp turn to the left, there should be a one lane dirt driveway straight in front of you. You will see a wooden sign with a teepee and canoe in orange paint.
♣ Go up the low hill and drive along until you come to the campground.
♣ If you actually get into the village of Palmer Rapids, you've gone too far along 515, so just turn around, go back..
♣ The address of the campground is 266 River Bend Road.

Carpool Info: 

There will likely be individuals going from the GTA and Ottawa. Tom Beakbane will share a Google spreadsheet so that participants can share transport as you wish.

Other
Cancellation Policy: 
Cancel as you please.
Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
Tom Beakbane
Phone: 
416-816-9665
Email: 

North French River - TRIP FULL

This is a solid white water river that tumbles off the Canadian Shield into the Hudson Bay Lowlands, and joins the Moose River about 20 km upstream of Moosonee/Moose Factory. I have excellent maps already prepared and all the logistics already worked out. This will NOT be an expensive trip; the trips costs will be driving up and back to Cochrane, probably two nights in modest hotel, shuttle costs (100$ each at most), the cost of the train returning to Cochrane ($150 each), and of course the food costs. We will be sharing all food and its preparation on the trip. The trip is fairly hard int the beginning as this is not a well traveled trip and the portages are NOT easy and frequently used. We have detailed information from people who have done it in the last few years though. The whitewater we will do is upwards of class 3 at times, and the portages will be challenging themselves. This will be a trip you will not forget easily. The group will need to be prepared to travel light and work together well. We already have 4 people/2 canoes for the trip. We are looking for at least 2 more people/one more boat.

The Basics
Event Location: 
Northern Ontario
Date(s) & Time: 
Saturday, July 1, 2023 - 07:00
Registration Cut Off: 
June 1, 2023
Event Duration: 
13 days approx
Difficulty Rating: 
Advanced
Participant Info
Who's Invited: 
Experienced paddler/trippers
Maximum Group Size: 
3-4 boats
Minimum Group Size: 
3 boats
Itinerary
Itinerary description: 

Saturday July 1 drive to Cochrane from Southern Ontario and stay in a hotel. Meet our car shuttle people Sunday morning and travel to put in ... approx 90 km up the Detour Mine Road. Spend 2-3 days traveling up Wildlake River and Lakes to the headwaters of the North French River. We will take 8 or so days traveling down it, eventually meet the Moose River and paddle into Moosonee to catch the Polar Bear express back to Cochrane on or about July 13th.

Required Items to Bring: 

Full personal gear, I (me the organizer) will bring the 'kitchen' barrel.

Recommended Items to Bring: 

TBD

How to Get There
Event Directions: 

See Itinerary

Carpool Info: 

TBD 2-3 cars

Other
Cancellation Policy: 
We will have a deposit required April 1st.
Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
iori miller
Phone: 
See email

West Montreal River - TRIP FULL

This is an beginner/ intermediate spring run. The sections we will be doing are the two that are best described in the youtube videos prepared by Explore the Backcountry. We will be doing both sections and it does look scenic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0_kjLznT4g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrpSyF0njPQ
We will arrange for lodging in Shining Tree for Friday night, paddle Saturday through Monday am, and then the drive home.

The Basics
Event Location: 
Start: Shining Tree, Ontario
Date(s) & Time: 
Friday, May 19, 2023 (All day)
Registration Cut Off: 
March 31, 2023
Event Duration: 
2 1/2 days on the water
Difficulty Rating: 
Intermediate
Participant Info
Maximum Group Size: 
8 people
Itinerary
Itinerary description: 

One night cabin, Two nights camping.
As part of the organization for this trip, there will be a zoom call to sort out everything about the trip.

Required Items to Bring: 

Whitewater boats and boat gear. PDF's, helmets and whistles. Group camping gear provided by organizer. ie pots, pans, grills, utensils, tarp, and so forth.

Recommended Items to Bring: 

A drysuit. Warm weather gear. Personal gear such as tent, sleeping bag, etc...

How to Get There
Event Directions: 

These will be determined closer to the event date.

Carpool Info: 

These will be determined closer to the event date. We will be doing the shuttle by ourselves.

Other
Cancellation Policy: 
April 30, 2023
Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
Neil Campbell
Phone: 
705 957 5191
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