Although, the 2009 Paddling Season has come to an end, we left the schedule here for you to see! Come back and check the new schedule by mid April 2010.

2009  Kayak & Canoe Schedule

For further information regarding the schedule listed below, email Dorothy at rideoughd@gmail.com or email the club at outdoor@spectranet.ca or call the club at 905-634-2012 or long distance 1-877-877-2012

Please note: you must register in advance for all outings. Please call or email the trip leader for details. Some events, such as the Intro to Kayaking are very popular and fill up quickly. You must be a club member to participate in lessons or multi day trips – however, guests are welcome on day trips.

DATE	BOAT/LEVEL	TRIP LEADER	DESCRIPTION
April 26	Kayak/Canoe A-1	Jim Clewlow jumpinjim7@msn.com	Leisurely day paddle on Guelph Lake. Wetsuits are recommended. Bring your lunch. No rentals
May 10 Sunday	Kayak/Canoe Upper Grand River B-1	Dorothy Rideough rideoughd@gmail.com	Paddle the rarely seen upper Grand River from Elora to West Montrose. Easy 4 hour paddle to start the season. Rentals, shuttle & guides provided
May 24 Sunday	Kayak/Canoe Lower Grand River B-1	Dorothy Rideough	Depending on weather, we will paddle either the Oxbow, or from Brantford to Cockshutt Bridge. Rentals nearby
May 31 Sunday	Kayak A-0 Guelph Lake	Dorothy Rideough	Introduction to Kayaking –this is NOT a lesson, just a chance to try it out on the calm waters of Guelph Lake under supervision of experienced paddlers. Rental boats and gear provided.
June 7 Sunday	Kayak/Canoe B-0 Grand River	Dorothy Rideough	An easy full day paddle down the Grand River from Cambridge to Paris, with experienced guides. Rentals, shuttle & guides provided.
June 7 Sunday	Kayak Lake Erie B-2	Louise Chambers lchambers4@cogeco.ca	Paddle on Lake Erie out of Port Ryerse. No rentals
June 14 Sunday	Kayak Lessons A-0	Dorothy Rideough	Beginner lessons on Guelph Lake. Instruction, rental boats & gear provided.
June 21 Sunday	Kayak Long Point B-1	Dorothy Rideough	Easy paddle in Long Point Bay; rentals nearby
June 19-21	Kayak Detroit River B-1	Steve Mathers steven@interpipe.com	This is a joint trip with the Windsor Essex Canoe Club, come explore the Detroit River, camping at Camp Swampy! Contact trip leader for details.
June 28 Sunday	Kayak B-2 Humber River Exploratory	Alan Drummond alandhoc@hotmail.com	Come explore the Humber River and if weather permits, we will cruise along the lakeshore as well. No rentals
July 1^st Wednesday	Kayak Jordon Harbour B-2	Jim Clewlow jumpinjim7@msn.com	Day paddle at Jordon Harbour and paddle out on the lake if weather permits. No rentals on site but available nearby in St Catharines or Dundas
July 12 Sunday	Kayak B-1 Waubaushene	Dorothy Rideough	Perfect for those who just had their lesson – explore Georgian Rentals available on site at Swift Canoe & Kayak.
July 17-20 Friday to Monday	Kayak B-1 Paddle Canada Course	Dorothy Rideough	Kayaking & camping in the Benjamin Islands on the beautiful North Channel. This is a Paddle Canada Level One Course See article in newsletter for details – 6 maximum TRIP IS FULL but accepting for wait list
July 19	Kayak/Canoe Day Paddle	TBA	Time & place yet to be determined, but will be local.
July 26 Sunday	Kayak/Canoe Grand River B-0	Kate Playle k_playle@yahoo.ca	Another easy paddle along the Grand except on a different section. Rentals, shuttle and guides provided
August 2 Sunday	Kayak Lake Erie B-2	Dorothy Rideough	Port Maitland – paddle out to Mohawk Island and along the shoreline. If lake is rough, we'll go up the Grand River. Rentals nearby.
August 7-10 Friday to Monday	Kayak-Benjamin Islands B-1	Kate Playle k_playle@yahoo.ca	Repeat of Benjamin Island trip as a trip only, not a course. Boat rental available from our guide. See details in article. TRIP IS FULL but accepting wait list
August 16 Sunday	Kayak Toronto Islands B-1	Alan Drummond alandhoc@hotmail.com	Paddle around the Toronto Islands. Rentals available on site from Harbourfront
Aug 20-23	Kayak Massassauga Park B-2	Jim McConachie jmcconachie@everus.ca	Kayak Camping in Massassauga Park, a water access only provincial park. Rentals available en route at Swift Canoe & Kayak
August 29-30 Saturday - Sunday	Canoe/Kayak Long Point Bay B-1	Dorothy Rideough	Paddle the protected marshes of Long Point Bay, car-camping at a local conservation area. Guides, shuttle and rental boats will be provided for novices – the more experienced will paddle on their own.
Sept 6 (Rain date 7th)	Kayak Air Show Paddle B-2	Alan Drummond alandhoc@hotmail.com	Paddle out by Ontario Place to watch the Toronto International Air Show! Rentals nearby
Sept 12 Sunday	Kayak Niagara River B-2	Louise Chambers lchambers4@cogeco.ca	Paddle up the Niagara River from Niagara on the Lake. No rentals on site but nearby
Sept 18-21 Friday to Sunday	B-2 Kayak 1000 Islands	Dorothy Rideough	Paddle the beautiful 1000 Islands out of Gananoque, camp on Nat’l Park Island. Rentals available from Misty Isles. Limit of 8 TRIP IS FULL but accepting for wait list
Sept 27 Sunday	Pedal & Paddle B-1 Grand River	Dorothy Rideough	Bike from Brantford to Paris and then paddle from Paris back to your car! Rentals on site
Oct 3-4 Weekend Cancelled	Cape Croker Kayak Cancelled	Jim McConachie jmcconachie@everus.ca	Trip has been cancelled due to lack of interest!
Oct 17-18 Sunday	Kayak/Canoe B-1	Dorothy Rideough	2- day Fall Colours Paddle on the Grand staying overnight at a B&B and our Grand BBQ at the end
October 25th	Kajak	Alan Drummond alandhoc@hotmail.com	Another tour of the Toronto Islands before the winter sets in....just for those who couldn't make it in August! Paddle over to the islands from Cherry Beach. 3-5 hour paddle. 10 am launch. No rentals on-site. Actual route will depend on weather and conditions. Contact trip leader for further details or if rental needed.
November 15th	Kajak B-2	Alan Drummond alandhoc@hotmail.com	Paddle over to the islands from Cherry Beach. 3-5 hour paddle. 10 am launch. No rentals on-site. Actual route will depend on weather and conditions. Wet suits and/or dry suits recommended for this paddle. Contact trip leader for further details or if rental needed.
January 1st	Kajak B-2	Alan Drummond alandhoc@hotmail.com	Paddle along Oakville waterfront to watch crazy Polar Bear swimmers at Coronation Park! "Go or no go"  will be determined 10 am on the morning of, based on weather & lake conditions that morning. Wet suits and/or dry suits required for this paddle. No rentals on-site. Contact trip leader for further details or if rental needed.

Fine Print for Paddling Activities

Club Rules Apply: As with all club activities, trip leaders and organizers are unpaid volunteers. You are invited to join them but you do this at your own risk. Non-club members and guests of members are required to sign the Club’s release and waiver form in order to participate.

Weather: Most trips are rain or shine. Trips will be called off in the case of thunder and lighting. Trip leaders may also call off trips and/or change paddling route depending on wind and water conditions.

Safety and Rescue: All paddlers must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) while out on the water and be able to swim at least 50m with a PFD.

Please note: Beginners are welcome on all trips where guides are provided. However, paddlers wishing to come on any kayak trips on open water must have done a wet exit with a skirt. Paddlers are also encouraged to learn basic rescue techniques to help yourself and others.

Skill and Endurance Requirements: The following is provided to assist instructors, coordinators and participants for our club sponsored kayak and canoe outings and are for the safety and enjoyment of everyone. Skill Requirements describes the paddling skills and seamanship required to safely handle situations that could be encountered during a trip. Pace and Endurance describes the strength, endurance and fitness level required to comfortably complete the trip. Keep in mind that a 5 hour river trip may be far less strenuous than a 3 hour paddle on open flat water.

Pace and Endurance for Canoeing and Kayaking:

A Not Strenuous - Daily paddling typically less than 3 hours, with distances of 5 kilometers or less.

B Moderately Strenuous - Daily paddling typically between 3 and 5 hours, with distances of 5 to 20 kilometers.

C Strenuous - Daily paddling typically more than 5 hours, with distances of 20 kilometers or more.

Skill Requirements for Canoeing:

1 Beginners - Be able to enter and exit canoe safely.

2 Novice - Basic paddling skills, forward and J stroke in flat water and easy conditions.

3 Intermediate - Paddling skills will include steering, J-stroke, stopping and back-paddling. Launching and landing ability on rugged shore are required.

4 Experienced - Ability to handle windy conditions, difficult landings and portaging.

Skill Requirements for Kayaking

0 Beginner – No experience required

1 Novice - May require basic paddling skills, practiced wet exits. Expect protected waters, easy landings and shelter for resting.

2 Intermediate - Requires basic paddling skills including ability to brace, self rescue, and participate in assisted rescue. Be comfortable in 1 meter waves. Mostly protected waters, some difficult landings, and some sheltered spots for resting.

3 Experienced - Requires advanced paddling, seamanship and rescue skills. Ability to handle waves greater than 1 meter. Expect exposed waters, open crossings, moderate to strong windsurf, fog and potentially difficult landings. Sheltered resting and landing spots could be few.

Back to top of page