Whitewater

The Mistassibi is a relatively remote northern Quebec The river offers great northern Canadian Shield and boreal forest landscapes with paddling that ranges from swifts to class 3's. Along this 120km route there are almost 80 rapids, with most rapids being runnable and there are only two short portages. It is said that almost 1/2 the river is rapids. We'll see. If you are interested there are maps available online at:
http://www.cartespleinair.org/Canot/06/MistassibiNordEstLeduc2017.pdf

The Mountain River has been described as a 'guides river' as it is 300km of river with whitewater, six canyons, hiking opportunities and wildlife viewing. Whitewater experience is obviously required and also tripping experience.

Sorry, but we have had to cancel this weekend due to COVID-19 concerns. It is simply not possible to conduct this event safely at this time.

 Please join us for our traditional WCA Canada Day summer weekend at Palmer Rapids on the Madawaska River. We stay at 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 the water levels are good, more adventurous types might want to get together to take a run down the Lower Madawaska on Sunday.

This is a great family getaway for the whole family. There's a sandy beach where the kids can play or swim. If you’re an angler, you’ll find the fishing here is pretty good. For those who aren't into paddling or fishing, there are restaurants and interesting shops nearby in Wilno and Barry's Bay. 

We're going to be there from Friday afternoon to Monday, 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.

For those looking to escape camp cookery, try the famous Wilno Tavern: http://www.wilnotavern.com/index.php

The Wilno Tavern has a hearty Polish buffet every Saturday night that will fill the hungriest paddler. We book the restaurant for a group dinner for any who want to join in.

If you are new to the WCA, this is a highly recommended weekend for skills development and socializing.

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.

In support of health authorities increasingly forceful requests that all of us practice social distancing to minimize the spread of COVID-19, we will be postponing this trip. Since in good years the river can be run up into mid-May, we will continue to evaluate the situation. Let's hope for a wet spring and a speedy resolution to this public health threat.

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 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 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.

Please note that this WCA trip is cancelled due to COVID-19.

Dumoine the BIG sister of the Three sisters, Noire and Coulounge. With a length of 129 km, this spectacular whitewater canoe route is filled with breathtaking views, wildlife and classic class 2 and 3 rapids with portage options. The Dumoine is a remote river located in Western Quebec and flows into the Ottawa River.The river is relatively small and the terrain alternates between Canadian Shield rock and sand. The navigatable rapids are long and the portages are short. (The Ottawa Valley Tourist Association) We will be paddling during 5 days following the current trough swifts and rapids

NOTE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
This very popular annual trip seems to be a great draw for all levels of paddlers. We are now into the 16th year doing this and we’ve enjoyed perfect weather (most times), portage free paddling, and a social barbeque that has followed our outing. This is a wonderful day to enjoy an easy moving water river and to socialize with other WCA’ers. The trip will start in south Cambridge where we will put in and then paddle to Paris. We will pass through scenic farm country, stop at a haunted mill, negotiate some easy grade one water, and stop for lunch along the way. Those interested are welcome to join us back at our house in Cambridge for some food, beverage, and social time.

Its roughly a 375 km route ... 'current assisted' ... not a flat water paddle generally. This river can be paddled most anytime outside of the winter months. We will be going in early August, when the water levels are reasonable. The climate in the area can be wet at this time of the year ... sometimes more days of rain than those without it. Some trip reports highly recommend paddling with a spray skirt.
While the route begins on the higher 'flatlands', where lakes are common, our route quickly becomes a river route through incised topography, where canyons hold the river. This river is often referred to as the Nahanni of the East. It is a challenge. The river is a salmon fishery, and the lower half has plenty of fishing camps. This will not, though, be a 'fishing trip'.

This is a 10-week long canoe trip that will take us from the northern edge of either Manitoba or Saskatchewan north across the height of land into long interconnected waterways ending in Baker Lake, Nunavut. The boreal forest will gradually diminish and the land will transition into tundra full of open vistas, precious plants and animals, excellent lake trout, sandy eskers easy to hike on.

Canoeists can join the whole trip or one or two sections. Different sections require different levels of skill.

The exact route, dates and pace of this trip will be determined by its participants.