Whitewater

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/

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.

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.

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.

Dates: Sept 1 - 4, Labour Day Weekend.
This is a challenging stretch of white water and is more difficult than the Lower Petawawa section. But we will be doing it late in the season, so the water levels will be low and less pushy. There appear to be portages for most sets and we will be scouting any rapids above a class 2.

Looking to do the Wind River late July 21 to  August 5.   You will need to arrive a few days before in Whitehorse (at least July 19, 23) .   Plan on exitting Whitehorse to home a few days later to allow for weather delays.

I did the Snake River years ago and really enjoyed hiking the mountains and paddling the crystal clear water.

The Wind River is one of northern Yukon's true jewels. Starting with a flight into McCluskey Lake, there is a short portage to the Wind.  We plan to exit at Taco Bar for our flight out.  The Wind River is typically described as a class 1 river.   So some basic class 1 whitewater skills are needed.  You will also need to be comfortable with remote camping and share the work load of group activities (setting up camp, cooking, etc.).

The hiking looks great, since the alpine ridges and peaks are close to the river. This is an excellent trip for novice to intermediate whitewater paddler. 

We plan on making the trip for around 16 days on the river.  You will need to arrive and depart Whitehorse with some buffer days on either end.

This will be a self guided trip. It will be a fairly easy going pace.  Expected shared cost will be ~$3500/person. not couting the commerical flight to Whitehorse which is typically ~$1000.  Once accepted on the trip you will have to provide a deposit to solidify your spot on the trip. Balance of trip rental/shuttle/float plane cost due ~6 weeks before trip.

If you have any questions give me a call.

Note; A typical guide trip usually runs around $8500/person plus commerical flights cost in/out of Whitehorse.

THE TRIP HAS 8 PEOPLE AND IS FULL.

You can submit your name if you want to be put on a waiting list if someone has to cancel off.

April fool’s weekend spring paddling in South Western Ontario. March 31, Bayfield River, Clinton to Bayfield. Beautiful run, continual swifts and eddies. Novice run, potential sweepers to negotiate. April 1, Maitland River, Auburn to Benmiller. I love this run, it is only open in the early spring. The kids and I try to get it in a few times each year before it is too low. Beginner, odd C1. April 2, Maitland River, Benmiller to Goderich. Fun run, hopefully big water! Bring Flotation. Intermediate. These are day trips, do one, two or three. All subject to change due to water levels. (If Priceville to Durham on the Saugeen is in a day might be added, otherwise it will be a pop up trip earlier or later on)

***UPDATE Aug 19!*** Due to low water levels on the Spanish, I'm going to change the trip to the Dumoine River from Bridge Rapids (Lac Benoit) 4-5 nights down to the Ottawa. Pretty laid back pace with at least one rest/WW play day on the way.

I'll be in a solo boat. Looking for another solo paddler(s) or a tandem pair to run with me. Need to be reasonably comfortable in moving water and self sufficient. Costs will be part of the shuttle cost (shuttle costs $485 for 2 boats, $595 for 3 boats, etc). I'll be leaving from the Orangeville area midday on the 12th and have room in the vehicle for up to two people and one boat if needed.
If you're interested email me.

Since Hurricane Hazel washed away 14 homes in October 1954, the Humber River has been carefully flood controlled by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. There are a number of man-made obstacles which have successfully reduced the river to mainly a fast flowing stream, therefore passage requires the highest water levels. In each April of 2010, 2011, 2017, & 2018 the WCA navigated the 27 kilometre section between Bolton and Kleinburg. In 2015 & 2016 we tackled the 29 kilometre section between Kleinburg and the 401 at Dee Avenue in Weston. Mainly motivated by personal ambition and the frustration of 2020, then 2021, then 2022, for 2023 we are going to make a weekend of it and run the entire length from Bolton to Lake Ontario.

Though I doubt this will be the first time ever tripping down the river, there are no known records of anyone doing this as a trip previously (in modern times). I would like to be explicitly clear that we intend to stealth camp in the vicinity of Islington Avenue and #407. The weirs South of the 401 are seriously dangerous, and therefore this invitation is extended to appropriately motivated and prepared adults.

The upper section to Kleinburg is quite fun. There are often log jams near town, and then several hours of nearly uninterrupted swifts and rock gardens with no actual classified rapids. Immediately before The Country Club there is a weir, and near the end of the golf course, there is a mandatory portage around a dam. This section tends to be slower and less exciting. On the second day there are 8 weirs to deal with between #401 and the Old Mill. Regardless, Whitewater Ontario used to have two named waves listed in the River Wiki that I believe are located near Scarlett Mills Park.

I have arranged to collaborate with the YouTube channel cjhoyle. In 2021 Christopher kayaked the 15 km section from Rexdale to just south of Dundas St. We will be recording the trip on video for YouTube.

The crowds and bugs are gone from Algonquin Park, the water is still warm and the leaves are at their prettiest.

Tom Beakbane will be paddling down the prettiest and most challenging section on the Petawawa River shortly.

This trip is for intermediate + whitewater paddlers. We will paddle the class 1 & 2 rapids, portaging only where necessary.