Whitewater

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.

Last Saturday's trip on the Black was fun but we had such cold, wet weather. If anyone wants to try it in warm, sunnny weather-with even higher water levels-here's your chance. I'm going back this Saturday for anyone wanting a fun, relaxed day out in a boat.

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.

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 takeout is about 10 km paddle.

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

This trip is now full. Thanks everyone for your interest; sorry we couldn't accommodate everybody.

The Bonaventure River is located in the Gaspe region of eastern Quebec. With a length of 125 km, this spectacular crystal clear river is filled with breathtaking views, wildlife and classic class 2 and a few class 3 rapids with NO portages. We will be paddling south from Lac Bonaventure towards the Baie des Chaleurs. The river is relatively narrow with a fast current; the terrain alternates between mountains and valleys; we’ll be camping on beaches alongside the river. I understand the river can be done in 5 days, but I’m inclined take 6, and have the extra day for a day hike at some point of spectacular beauty (or have it available as a weather day if that becomes necessary/appropriate). I don't want to push the pace - focus will be on enjoying the beauty of the environment and enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded friends. I see this as a fun active outdoor vacation rather than a strenuous push to the bottom of the river.

July 3rd motel July 4th to 9th on river
Duke Lake to Agnew Lake
6 Days

Shuttle is $196.00 each

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. Plus the fishing here is pretty good. For those who aren't into paddling, 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 has a Polish buffet Saturday nights that will fill any hungry paddler. There are also some other good restaurants in Barry's Bay.
 

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.
 

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 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.
 

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 should have solid basic moving water skills, and wear a wetsuit or drysuit. 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.
If the weather is unfavourable on the Saturday, we'll re-schedule the trip for the Sunday.