Whitewater

Last minute SUMMER Whitewater one day trip on the MAD River in Creemore Ont (90 minutes from Toronto) . Experienced flat water and tripping canoeists invited to come learn whitewater paddling under "controlled" conditions. *** WHO can come: please read the NOTES Section. ****

Every person who registers for this trip is subject to review and acceptance by the trip organizer, which includes having each paddler submit a canoeing / river resume of training and experience in canoes. (I mostly want to know this will not be your first time in a canoe. The trip organizer reserves the right to cancel the reservation of any paddler who does not comply with this request or refuses to answer follow up questions about their prior paddling experience. You will in turn be sent a summary of my paddling background. The Mad River is MAD when it gets MAD (levels change quickly in spring / summer rain storms. **** Intermediate Skill Level **** for this trip means you have high skill levels on big flatwater and are comfortable navigating lakes in windy conditions. I want you to be comfortable with your ability to paddle forward on either side of the canoe, back paddle, ferry, back ferry, draw, cross draw or cross bow draw. I will teach you the white water part. Whether we run the river from the top at Riverside Dr or move down river will depend on flow levels at Put In time and the skill levels of the paddlers who sign up.

lCome play with me on Saturday July 6 2024. . I have my own tandem canoe and am looking for a partner. Can supply a tandem canoe if a team needs one. Tandem Canoes get Priority for signup. Some solo paddlers can come if i know you. For safety, the group requires at least two tandems for forward scout and rear sweep. I can bump up the canoe count from six if I get signups who did the river April 13 or April 14. Looking for two to six canoes. I want at least two tandems. I have scouted the river on Thursday July 4. from shoreline points. The predicted rain (10 to 15 mm ) overnight Friday night should give us good paddling levels for Saturday.

Please join us at the 2024 WCA  Fall Gathering

On September 13 to 15, 2024,  Friday night to Sunday afternoon

Where; Palmer Rapids Paddler Co-op.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ENEs8SQY76WHiGqw5/

Bring your own food, drink, camping gear.

Gary  905-922-1434, Chris M.519-878-9358, Thomas C. 416-209-3271 (one of use can help you)

Paddler Co-op rentals call Ryan at 613-758-2772.  Camping just show up and pay in the office.

Paddle Co-op

Paddler Co-op has purchased the property and secured a river access point for paddlers and recreationalists for future generations.  The WCA is proud to help in this effort.  Having the WCA Fall Gathering at the Paddler Co-op is our way of contining our support and introducing new and existing members to the facility.

Donation link

https://sweet-home-paddler-co-op.raisely.com/

Itinerary

We are planning a visit to the Canadian Canoe Museum on the drive up on Friday.   Look for this announcement.

Friday the Thirteenth Canoe Museum Visit | Wilderness Canoe Association

Friday Night

Drive up and find a campsites.  Mention you are a WCA member and get 20% off camping  during this weekend.   Any other time you can get 10% off camping if you are a WCA member. 

We will catch-up around a campfire Friday evening.  Early arrivals on Friday can say hello to old and new friends, go for a riverside walk, or paddle to Palmer Rapids on the Lower Madawaski River for a quick evening run.

Saturday Featured Outing:  

1. Flat Water: Paddle to Conroy Marsh 

This is a guided paddle outing by Gary.  Meet at 9 am in parking lot.   It's a short drive to the put in.  It is about 8 km paddle to the Conroy Marsh.  Round trip ~16 km.  The York and Little Mississpi rivers flow into it.  The marsh drains into the Lower Madawaska River.

2. White water: Snake Rapids River Run on the Lower Madawaska River

This is the classic run down the Snake Rapids section .

  - Put-in Location Almond Bay:  https:// maps.app.goo.gl/eMJnUtQC8oJXf8JC6/

  - Take-out Location Buck Bay: https:// maps.app.goo.gl/wEUe4DVKhHuTuoYaA/

Other Saturday Daytime Activities

• Playing at Palmer Rapids
• Hike some local trails
• Hang around campground and relax.
• Check out the town of Palmer Rapids and Combermere

Saturday Après-Paddle

We are aiming to arrive back at the campsites around 4 pm ish.  This time can be used for gear demonstrations and/or gear swap.  Participants are encouraged to bring any gear in good condition that they no longer need, to see if anyone else can put it to good use.  Have a look through your old stuff and see what might be of interest to other members – a great way to declutter!

 6 PM Dinner We are planning to have a group dinner at a local Ukraine Restaurant in Combermere ("Heartwood").  Traditional Ukrane food will be served.   We have arranged to basically take over most of the restaurant.   To facilitate quick service  we will limit the food choices available, but you will not be disappointed. ~$20/meal. Beer and wine and other drinks available at extra cost. 

Our evening program will feature various trip presentations in the Boat House.  This will start at by approximately 8:00 pm, and run a couple of hours. Presentations;

• Snake River, Yukon by Erik
• Kayaking, Baja California Sur, Mexico by Gary

Even if you’re haven’t signed-up to present, feel free to bring some pictures on a USB memory key and share some memorable experiences.  

Sunday

For people that want a relaxing day, wake up late and go for a few runs down Palmer Rapids or a flat water paddle down the Madawaska River its up to you.

Paddler Co-Op will give a dry land hands on clinic on boat repair and maintenance at 10 am

For others that want a full day run the Snake Rapids from Almond Bay to Buck Bay is an option.

Second flat water outing out of the town of Combermere boat launch.   This will be a few hour paddle exploring the surrounding river and lakes.  Meet at Combermere boat launch at 12:30 pm.

There are also a few local self guided hikes and attractions available.   See Gary for Google Map links.

General Info;

Bring your own food, drink, camping gear.

Mention you are a WCA member and get 20% off camping for this weekend. 

See Paddle Co-op website for camping/rental costs and other details.  Note There is a once a year Co-op camping membership fee.  Sorry no discount on this. $16.

Note there is a food store in Palmer Rapids (5 km away) and Combermere (7 km away) and local restaurants.

We are a group of 5 looking for one more paddler to do the Bazin River, in Quebec.

An informal gathering at Palmer Rapids for WCA members.  Folks can camp at Jessups or Paddler's Co-op.  My kids and I will be at Paddlers and I booked 4 spots for WCA members if you want to mention this when booking.
I am thinking about paddle and play at Palmer Rapids Saturday, the Lower Madawaska run Sunday (Canada Day!) and some play and departure Monday.  We will show up Friday evening.
As we are just finished school and in the midst of a busy work schedule no further planning is being made.  If people want to organize a group meal or activities please forward thoughts on the spreadsheet that you will receive if you sign up.

Hi. 

Each year my family and I paddle from Walkerton to the first takeout.  It is an enjoyable afternoon paddle of 15km and an energetic 10 year old can solo it in a kayak.  We take time to swim and play about on few surf waves or catch crayfish and usually return to Walkerton for an icecream before heading home.

This is a sunny day paddle and will be canceled if rain or high winds threaten!  

After a couple of years of not being available due to massive log jams, my favorite river, the MAD River (near Creemore Ont) , cleaned itself up in the rains of early April 2023, and a group of WCA members ran the fourteen kilometers of fast moving whitewater fun from Creemore to Glencairn (the river at that time of year rarely slows down)
I would like to do it again a bunch of times in the spring of 2024. This year I am put up two trips for April 13 and April 14 and they sold out but had to be cancelled due to high water, so I am offering it again the following weekend and two single one day trips. You choose the day, or do both. I may add more later in the spring at the last minute if river levels are ok.
Every person who registers for this trip is subject to review and acceptance by the trip organizer, which includes having each paddler submit a canoeing / river resume of training and experience on whitewater rivers. The trip organizer reserves the right to cancel the reservation of any paddler who does not comply with this request or refuses to answer follow up questions about their prior paddling experience. You will in turn be send a summary of my paddling background. The Mad River is MAD when it gets MAD (levels change quickly in spring / summer rain storms like April 9, 2024
Read this gauge:

https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=02ED015&mode=Gr...

The water rose 2.5 times it’s volume in just 4 hours on April 9. Simply MAD ???? Come play with me. Can supply a tandem canoe if a team needs one.

Tandem Canoes get Priority for signup. For safety, the group requires at least two tandems for forward scout and rear sweep. I can bump up the canoe count from six if I get signups who did the river April 13 or April 14

After a couple of years of not being available due to massive log jams, my favorite river, the MAD River (near Creemore Ont) , cleaned itself up in the rains of early April 2023, and a group of WCA members ran the fourteen kilometers of fast moving whitewater fun from Creemore to Glencairn (the river at that time of year rarely slows down)

I would like to do it again a bunch of times in the spring of 2024. This year I am put up two trips for April 13 and April 14 and they sold out but had to be cancelled due to high water, so I am offering it again the following weekend and two single one day trips. You choose the day, or do both. I may add more later in the spring at the last minute if river levels are ok.

Every person who registers for this trip is subject to review and acceptance by the trip organizer, which includes having each paddler submit a canoeing / river resume of training and experience on whitewater rivers. The trip organizer reserves the right to cancel the reservation of any paddler who does not comply with this request or refuses to answer follow up questions about their prior paddling experience. You will in turn be send a summary of my paddling background. The Mad River is MAD when it gets MAD (levels change quickly in spring / summer rain storms like April 9, 2024
Read this gauge:

https://wateroffice.ec.gc.ca/report/real_time_e.html?stn=02ED015&mode=G…

The water rose 2.5 times it’s volume in just 4 hours on April 9. Simply MAD ???? Come play with me. Can supply a tandem canoe if a team needs one.

Tandem Canoes get Priority for signup. For safety, the group requires at least two tandems for forward scout and rear sweep. I can bump up the canoe count if I get signups who did the river April 13 or April 14

This is part two of the Southern Ontario spring river runs.  Due to low levels we have been paddling the main sections of the Maitland and Saugeen.  These are friendly beginner/novice runs with the consideration of colder weather and water twmperatures.
We had comfortable accommodations at Camp Kintail for the Friday and Saturday evenings along with two breakfasts and Saturday supper for $115/person.  Please note, we are in dorm-like cabins or yurts; if you want privacy, bring a tent.
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TESTING PURPOSE #13
 

This is part two of the Southern Ontario spring river runs.  Due to low levels we have been paddling the main sections of the Maitland and Saugeen.  These are friendly beginner/novice runs with the consideration of colder weather and water twmperatures.

We had comfortable accommodations at Camp Kintail for the Friday and Saturday evenings along with two breakfasts and Saturday supper for $115/person.  Please note, we are in dorm-like cabins or yurts; if you want privacy, bring a tent.

-------------------------------------------

TESTING#1

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 need solid basic moving water skills. A full wetsuit or a drysuit is required to participate (no exceptions). 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.

Water levels; March 27, 24 the water level is 4.7m.  Predicting by March 29 the water level will be ~4.60m. .  I did the river in 2021 at 4.55m level and it was ok.

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.