Kayak & Canoe Schedule Sample (2010)

Please note: you must register with the trip leader 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
May 8-9	Canoe Minesing Swamp	Phil Armstrong phillip.armstrong @sympatico.ca	Stay Saturday night at Travelodge in Barrie & do two daytrips in the swamp, one on Willow Creek, the other on the main branch of the Nottawasaga River. These will be easy paddles
May 8 Saturday	Kayak/Canoe A-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 23 Sunday	Kayak/Canoe Lower Grand River B-1	Dorothy Rideough	Depending on weather, we will paddle either the Oxbow, or from Newport Bridge to Caledonia. Rentals may be delivered if enough required.
May 30 Sunday	Kayak Guelph Lake A-0	Dorothy Rideough	Introduction to Kayaking –this is NOT a lesson, just a chance to try it out on flat water under the supervision of experienced paddlers. Rental boats and gear provided.
June 6 Sunday	Kayak/Canoe Grand River B-0	Dorothy Rideough	An easy full day paddle down the Grand River from Cambridge to Paris, with experienced guides/instructors. Rentals, shuttle & guides provided.
June 19 Saturday	Kayak A-1 Guelph Lake	Dorothy Rideough	Practice Session for Safety & Rescue Skills—This is NOT a lesson, just practice for everyone who hasn’t practiced lately.
June 20 Sunday	Kayak Lessons A-0	Dorothy Rideough	Beginner lessons on Guelph Lake. Instruction, rental boats & gear provided. Please book early to avoid disappointment!
June 26 Saturday	Kayak/Canoe Pedal & Paddle A-1	Dorothy Rideough	Cycle from Paris to Cambridge and back to Glen Morris, then paddle the rest of the way to Paris. Bike and Boat Rentals & shuttle available
July 1st Thursday	Kayak B-1	Dorothy Rideough	Jordon Harbour Day Paddle. Rentals nearby.
July 1st PM	Kayak A-2	Dorothy Rideough	Fireworks Paddle—watch the fireworks at Spenser Smith Park from the water. Lights and all safety gear required.

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.