Whitewater

Bighead River - Meaford, ON - 25 April 2026

Outing Type → 

Join us for an early spring day trip on the Bighead River in Meaford, ON.

The Bighead River classification changes drastically with water levels Cl I to Cl III. Date is subject to change based on conditions.

This is an intermediate level run.

The Basics
Event Location

Meet up at Beautiful Joe Park in Meaford, ON. https://maps.app.goo.gl/RbLhXZ9KkutMiVx39

Date(s) & Time
Event Duration
~ 6 hours
Difficulty Rating
Intermediate
Registration Cut Off
24 April
Participant Info
Who's Invited
All intermediate paddlers who are well equipped for early spring whitewater runs.
Maximum Group Size
8 boats
Minimum Group Size
2 boats
Itinerary
Required Items to Bring

-Personal clothing/layering
-Rain Gear
-Wetsuit or Drysuit
-Helmet
-Extra paddles
-Painters
-Throw bag
-Rescue Equipment

Recommended Items to Bring

Food and water

How to Get There
Carpool Info

We will carpool from the meet up to the put in, and then shuttle the vehicles.

Rouge River Creeking

Outing Type → 

 


We plan to paddle down the Rouge River from Milne Dam Conservation Park to about Old Finch Road, approx. 14 kms.  Last year we did this in 5 hours, which included lunch.   This should be a total of 14 km. 
The water level was at 3.42m (discharge flow 2.2 m3/s) and it was a bump and grind adventure.   I am hoping to do the river at a higher level this year.  Maybe double?   Generally, the river was a classic class 1 to 1.5 creek, with lots of obstacles.

If the water is too high or low we might move the event to Saturday, April 11, 2026.


You will need a whitewater boat and prepared to jump in and out of your boat to get around sweepers and downed trees,rocks, etc.
Real-Time Hydrometric Data Graph for ROUGE RIVER NEAR MARKHAM (02HC022) [ON] - Water Level and Flow - Environment Canada


If you are looking for a canoe partner or canoe to sit in, let me know, and I will try and coordinate connected people with canoes with people looking for a canoe.  Send me an email or call me.
 

Check out previous years YouTube videos

https://youtu.be/IIN-4Hk3dxc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIglq057Rn0

The Basics
Event Location

Rouge River, Markham, Ontario

Date(s) & Time
Event Duration
1 day
Difficulty Rating
Novice
Registration Cut Off
April 2, 2026
Participant Info
Who's Invited
People capable to paddle in Class 1 swifts and rapids with sweepers
Maximum Group Size
8 boats
Minimum Group Size
2 boats
Itinerary
Itinerary description

Put In 8:30 am
Place 2 cars at Finch takeout (limited parking). Or drivers share an Uber ride back to put in to pick up their cars.
Start 9 am at Milne Dam Conservation Park
Lunch ~12 noon ish 1/2 hour
4-5 hours paddle
2-3 pm Takeout. Drivers shuttle back to putin to collect their vehicles.
3-4 pm vehicle shuttle to pick up everybody at Finch.

 

 

Required Items to Bring

Whitewater boat and gear
Dry or wet suit
water/food

Recommended Items to Bring

Water/food

Drysuit
Extra clothes if you go for a swim.

How to Get There
Event Directions

Putin Milne Dam Conservation Park
https://maps.app.goo.gl/LUA7gSnPPY29kSft6
 

Takeout Finch Road Bridge
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DijYLMnfjXpsUj3B9

 

Limited parking here at Old Finch Road only

https://maps.app.goo.gl/WZARtiMDLVG1rpex9

 

 

Upper Salmon River - Classic Highway # 7 Spring River

Outing Type → 

We will paddle the Upper portion of the Salmon River from Gull Creek (intersection with Hwy 15/Arden Road) to where the Salmon River intersects Woodcocks Mills Road, West of Hwy 15. Both the put-in and take-out are North of Tamworth. 

Check out the WCA YouTube 

Upper Salmon River Whitewater Canoeing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LllYMQ4OxVs

 

The Basics
Event Location

Tamworth, Ontario

Date(s) & Time
Event Duration
1 day
Difficulty Rating
Intermediate
Registration Cut Off
April 22, 2026
Participant Info
Who's Invited
Intermediate whitewater skills with cold water whitewater gear
Maximum Group Size
8 boats
Minimum Group Size
2 boats
Itinerary
Itinerary description

This event will occur on Sunday, April 26th, the day after the Moira River event. Those people joining on April 25th are welcome to join us to camp the night of the 25th at a campsite on Gull Lake, just across from where we meet at 10am at the Hwy 15 Bridge across Gull Creek. Anyone wishing only paddle the Upper Salmon is welcome. Anyone wishing to skip the camping and go to a Motel/Hotel in Tamworth, is also welcome.
Bring a lunch and be prepared to be on the water until maybe 4 to 5 pm.

 

 

Required Items to Bring

You MUST have a complete wetsuit or legitimate drysuit, helmet, PFD, and whitewater boat (complete with bailers and floatation bags). If you are camping you should bring tent and cold weather sleeping bag and rain gear.
More details of this will be provided as the group comes together, with the use of a planning spreadsheet (you will be expected to complete your portion of it).

Recommended Items to Bring

Extra paddle, throw rope, flashlight, dry sac with extra dry warm clothing.

How to Get There
Event Directions
Carpool Info

See me

Other
Notes

None

Cancellation Policy
Please notify me if you must cancel asap.

Moira River - Classic Highway # 7 Spring River

Outing Type → 

On a spring day, the Moira River north of Belleville provides a fun paddling trip from Lost Channel to Latta. Its a very pretty river on a sunny spring day. A must do river.
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 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. 

Some people on this trip may consider carrying on to the Upper Samon River on the Sunday.   We usually head over the  Salmon River putin and camp out on crown land near by.  See me for details. 

Check out the YouTube Video;

Moira River 2024 - YouTube

 

The Basics
Event Location

Moira River

Date(s) & Time
Event Duration
1 day
Difficulty Rating
Intermediate
Registration Cut Off
April 22, 2026
Participant Info
Who's Invited
Members with required whitewater gear and intermediate skills
Maximum Group Size
8 boats
Minimum Group Size
2 boats
Itinerary
Itinerary description

See me for details

Recommended Items to Bring

Required whitewater cold water gear and bow and stern floatation as a min.

How to Get There
Event Directions

Morning; Chisholm's Mill  to Latte

Putin 9:30am  Chisholm's Mill  

https://maps.app.goo.gl/BPAHWPgqfL4FzjD6A

Take Out at Latta

https://maps.app.goo.gl/cEfy9eUW1XMzrkiV8

Afternoon; Lost Channel Run

Putin; Carss Rd.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/HzKBXGjTNq3ieHhj8

Takeout; Lost Channel Rd.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/S43F66Y7aA8s8oqX6

 

 

Carpool Info

See me

Other
Notes

None

Cancellation Policy
Only sign up if you are firmed up.

Coppermine River

Outing Type → 


The Coppermine River is a river in the North Slave and Kitikmeot regions of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut in Canada. It is 845 kilometers long. It rises in Lac de Gras, a small lake near Great Slave Lake, and flows generally north to Coronation Gulf, an arm of the Arctic Ocean. We are planning to do ~400km.

Our starting point is Rocknest Lake or Redrock Lake, NWT.

Our exit point is the community of Kugluktuk (formerly Coppermine) Nunavut is located at the river's mouth on the Arctic Ocean.

 

 

The Basics
Event Location

Coppermine River

Date(s) & Time
Event Duration
~3 weeks
Difficulty Rating
Advanced
Registration Cut Off
March 30, 2026
Participant Info
Who's Invited
Experience people
Maximum Group Size
6 people, 3 WW canoes
Minimum Group Size
4
Itinerary
Itinerary description

Start: Redrock Lake or Rocknest Lake ~ July 25, 2026.  Fly in a few days before to YellowKnife.

Finish; Kugluktuk  ~Aug 12, 2026.  Fly out Aug 13 to Yellowknife.   Then the next day home.

Planning to have 6 people and 3 boats.

It is looking at $6500/each

Required Items to Bring

See me

Recommended Items to Bring

See me

How to Get There
Event Directions

See me

Carpool Info

See me

Other
Notes

See me.

Cancellation Policy
Only sign up if you are committed.

Good Friday - Credit River Streetsville to Erindale (or lake)

Outing Type → 

Quick trip down the Credit -Streetsville to Erindale (about 1 hour on the water).  I will try and figure out if the river under the QEW is open and we can paddle to the lake to extend our trip a bit (about 2 hours on the water)

I will keep an on water levels - aim is Streetsville gauge at 4.7 or above. 

The Basics
Event Location

Vic Johnson Community Center

Date(s) & Time
Event Duration
2-3 hours
Difficulty Rating
Intermediate
Registration Cut Off
April 1
Participant Info
Who's Invited
Whitewater canoers and kayakers
Maximum Group Size
8 boats
Minimum Group Size
2 boats
Itinerary
Itinerary description

Unload at Vic Johnson Community Center

Drop off vehicles at Erindale park (or the lake if I can figure out if the river under the QEW is open)

Run shuttle (likely Uber)

Put on by 10

Likely off the river by 12

Required Items to Bring

Whitewater boat, with bow and stern painters and flotation

Mandatory wetsuit or drysuit and helmet

Throw rope

I will bring my pin kit and first aid kit, but if one more person could bring a back-up that would be great

Recommended Items to Bring

Water and a snack

How to Get There
Event Directions

Vic Johnson Community Center: 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/S7VdwBjsE4yxmKao6

 

 

Carpool Info

I can pick up someone in Etobicoke/Mississauga enroute.  Better if at least one pair carpools so we have a person to watch the boats and gear while we run shuttle

Bloodvein River - From Artery Lake (REGISTRATION CLOSED)

Outing Type → 

Join a group of experienced wilderness trippers as we tackle the Bloodvein River this August.

Our group of 8 paddlers with four boats will be driving to Bissett, MB and flying into Artery Lake, on the border of Ontario / Manitoba. This section of the river spans some 225 km, with over 80 sets of Cl 2-3 rapids.

Planning will be done jointly over a series of Zoom meetings.

The Basics
Event Location

Bloodvein River, Manitoba

Date(s) & Time
Event Duration
18 days, including travel to and from the river.
Difficulty Rating
Intermediate
Registration Cut Off
20 Feb 26
Participant Info
Who's Invited
All WCA members
Maximum Group Size
8
Minimum Group Size
4
Itinerary
Itinerary description

8-9 Aug: Drive to Bissett, MB

10 Aug: Flight into Artery Lake

11-23 Aug: On the river

24-25 Aug: Travel home.

More granular details to be developed during the planning process.

Required Items to Bring

To be discussed on Zoom.

Recommended Items to Bring

To be discussed on Zoom.

How to Get There
Event Directions

To be discussed on Zoom.

Carpool Info

We have people travelling from NY state and across Southern Ontario.

Other
Notes

Estimated costs per person is ~ $1500-2000. Deposit required to complete registration.

Cancellation Policy
So long as I can replace you, your deposit is refundable until 1 July.

Bloodvein 2026 (Looking for one more person)

Outing Type → 

Join us for a 225 km descent of the Bloodvein river, a world-class whitewater destination.  From our float plane drop-in at artery Lake to the ancient pictographgs lining the canyon walls, this 17 day expeditiion is designed for those who love technical class 2-3 'drop and pool' rapids. 

A group of 6, 3 canoes, will be embarking on a trip down the Bloodvein River.  July 17 to August 2.  With Train Travel being from July 15 to August 4, if coming from Toronto. (Option available to fly and be picked up in Winnipeg)     We are taking the train to Elma Manitoba, there we will be shuttled to Bissett Manitoba to load gear on to float plane headed to Artlery Lake.  We will end near the Bloodvein First Nation Reserve where the road is before Lake Winnipeg.  A shuttle will then take us to Winnipeg, which will either then get us on a plane or a train back to wherever we came from (Toronto).

 

The Basics
Event Location

Bloodvein River

Date(s) & Time
Event Duration
16 days, August 2nd we will be back in Winnipeg
Difficulty Rating
Advanced
Participant Info
Who's Invited
Intermediate to advanced paddlers with whitewater experience, and backcountry camping experience.
Maximum Group Size
3 boats
Minimum Group Size
3 boats
Itinerary
Itinerary description

I believe I put that above but if there are any questions or concerns please reach out, as it may be confusing what I put above.  

How to Get There
Event Directions

Train or plane

Saugeen kids paddle

Outing Type → 

Usually my family paddles the Saugeen from Lobies Park in Walkerton to the next takeout (approx 15km).

A few swifts and class one rapids add a little excitement for new paddlers and kids.  This is a weather dependent trip, we are hoping for a sunny day so an ice cream afterwards can be fully enjoyed.

This is a good trip to introduce young people and children to paddling!

The Basics
Event Location

Lobies Park, Walkerton

Date(s) & Time
Event Duration
Day paddle, maybe 5 hours on the water
Difficulty Rating
Beginner
Registration Cut Off
June 1st
Participant Info
Who's Invited
Anyone
Maximum Group Size
20ish
Minimum Group Size
Just me
Itinerary
Itinerary description

Meet at Lobies Park in Walkerton at 10am.  Shuttle to Saugeen Access #6.

Paddle, have snacks for the first bit.  Late lunch and swim under the bluffs. 

Load up canoes and kayaks together and if time permits, enjoy an ice cream.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/GZcvXQcMBGo9eWmg9


Probably on the water at 11 and off at 4.


 

Required Items to Bring

Water, snacks, lunch, sunhat and sunscreen.

Pfds, bailer, painter or throw bag. Nice to have a whistle.

Saugeen will probably have some rocks don’t bring an expensive Kevlar boat. Royalex or the like is probably best.  

How to Get There
Event Directions

I will update attendees with any particulars and a map by email.

Across the Barrens via the Thelon River

Outing Type → 

I am looking for a few crew member to complete our team. 

We are planning to get into the Barrens most likely starting in Yellowknife, paddle across Great Slave Lake, thrn get in into the Hanbury River, or Thelon River headwaters (through the Pike's Portage and Artillery Lake). 

The first part of the trip is mostly paddling on flat water and portaging. 

Part 2 will take us down one of the rivers and require white-water skills. We will finish in Baker Lake and fly to Winnipeg.

These are very well-known and frequently travelled routes. 

I will send you some links to trip reports if you e-mail me.

The Basics
Event Location

NWT and Nunavut

Date(s) & Time
Event Duration
4 weeks and 5 weeks
Difficulty Rating
Advanced
Registration Cut Off
Feb 22nd, 2026
Participant Info
Who's Invited
flat-water and white-water paddlers who have done several 1 - 2 week long self-organized trips; you must be able to carry all your packs and portage a canoe
Maximum Group Size
6
Minimum Group Size
2
Itinerary
Itinerary description

Part 1

25 paddling days

June 14- July 9

 

Part 2

36 paddling days

July 9-Aug 14

 

Estimated cost: from Yellowknife to Winnipeg $2,500.

Required Items to Bring

I will send you a list of items once you sign up.