We'll be heading to Algonquin Park to run the Petawawa River from Lake Travers to McManus
The campsites have been booked (Travers, Crooked Chute, Schooner Raps,McManus)
The sites have been selected to provide lots of time to play in the rapids and do some fishing.
GatFest offers a 'co-ordinated' opportunity to paddle Gatineau wildwater rapids with the backup of rafts and many other paddlers. We have reserved early, a beach site on the Gatineau River at Bonnet Rouge Rafting/Camping which also offers meals, (instead of camping at the high school in Maniwaki). Information on the GatFest website www.gatineau.org includes registration options, so book early!
There will be a ton of people, and, as a bonus, rafting is only $60. The Gatineau rapids are powerful big river rapids so C3 skills and fully outfitted WW boats is mandatory, though water levels are reasonable at the moment. This is a great venue for connecting with awesome paddlers. If you want to join us as a mini-team - Email J&Frank at jneilson@nrtco.net or tel. 613-687-6037
The Black River at HWY 169 just south of Washago has an intersting section that packs half a dozen Class 1-2 rapids into the distance of only a couple of km. It's an ideal spot for budding moving water paddlers to learn to ferry, eddy turn and surf in a non-threatening environment. For more experienced paddlers, it provides a good practice work-out, and if the water is high enough, there are some gnarlier bits on some of the side-channels. This trip is always a low-key, relaxed day for practicing, learning and socializing. A pleasant way to get to meet some other WCA members if you're new to the club. The water should be warming up by then, but you'll at least want to have a wetsuit.
Due to our rainy spring the Moira has remained at high spring levels, and we will get a chance for a May Day paddle on it. Hopefully, the weather and water will have warmed up a bit by then, making it an excellent opportunity to get out and do mellow some river play. We'll meet at Chisholm's Mill at 9:00 and do a run down the easier lower section, which is mainly long sections of Class 1-2 with lots of rollercoaster waves to go for a ride on. After lunch, we'll drive up to Lost Channel to run this shorter but more intense section, which has an interesting long Class 2-3 rapid. For first time Moira paddlers, we can have a look at it on the car shuttle to the put-in, and you can easily walk it if you don't like what you see. This trip is a great one for those with good novice skills who want to move up to an intermediate level river.
The Petawawa will be HUGE on the long weekend, and the ice will be going out late this year. There are portage for all of the C3 rapids. This is an awesome opportunity to watch some of Ontario's best paddlers tackle some really tough runs. Rollway is the longest toughest wildwater ride in the Near North. If your one of those best we will support you at the bottom! At high water there are miles of C2 rapids that provide some challenging maneouvring. Suitable for advanced C2 paddlers who are comfortable maneouvring in big waves, and experts of course. Do not use auto-signup as we do not have internet at our home. Phone or email us to confirm participation.
A glorious river on the east side of Algonquin Park. There are portages for the 5 big monsters which will hopefully be mostly runnable C3, miles of C2 rapids, including 5-Mile, Schooner, and swifts. The portages can be shortened by partial runs at most of the big 5. This is a scenic river for hands-on C2 intermediate skills. There are 'safe' opportunities for C3 challenges, such as Little Thompson and lower Crooked Chute, both ending in safe pools for intrepid C2 paddlers. Do NOT use online sign-up, phone or email us for information and to confirm participation as we do not have internet at our rural home.
Book ASAP. Join us for the continuation of this annual spring paddle / wine and cheese party. We paddle from above Aumonds Bay to Griffith. The short 28 km distance allows for a leisurely pace with lots of time to play, chat and eat! Rapids will range from grade 1 to 4 and there are a couple of short portages around falls. We meet on Saturday morning near Quadeville and are finished by Monday noon.
The Opeongo River and the Madawaska River (Whitney to Madawaska) will still be running high, with volumes anywhere from C2 to C3 with some optional C4, hopefully featuring hot spring weather (we enjoyed a snow blizzard last year!) Camp at a beautiful spot to enjoy spring peepers and cherry blossoms, or stay overnight at Whitney.
Bill Ness, 416-321-3005, bness@look.ca, book before March 30 ----- As the weatherman refused to cooperate to allow us to run this trip as originally scheduled on March 27, we have move the date ahead a week. 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, as sweepers can present a hazard and the water will be cold, you should have solid basic moving water skills, and wear a wetsuit or drysuit. If we have a late break-up, can move the trip to April 3. On the other hand, if we get one of those early springs that we have been experiencing over the last few years, March 20 might work out better. So if you're interested in coming along, I suggest you let me know early, in case we do have to move the date forward.
This is a great course for canoe trippers who wish to develop their river-tripping skills. This course will be held at the Elora Gorge Conservation area and will be a co-ed event. We will spend two full days on the river learning to read and manoeuvre in Class 1-2 whitewater. This is a Paddle Canada certification and successful candidates will need to perform manoeuvres in both the bow and stern of the boat. If you just want to come out and learn more about paddling whitewater, but do not want the certification, you are also welcome to join us. Those wishing to camp with us/ eat with us will just split those costs accordingly. Price $80 (Course and Equipment only. Camping and food not included)
