Good Friday Fun on the Black River at Washago

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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 a number of 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. As the water will still be cold, you will need a wetsuit or drysuit. As this is a fun play & practice day, and I don't find paddling in cold rain much fun, the outing is weather dependent. Email me as soon as possible if you want to join us.

The Basics
Event Location: 
Black River at Washago
Date(s) & Time: 
Friday, April 6, 2012 (All day)
Event Duration: 
1 day
Difficulty Rating: 
Novice
How to Get There
Event Directions: 

HWY 48 north to HWY 12. Then north on 12 to just past the village of Brechin, where you exit right onto HWY 169. Follow HWY 169 north for about 10 minutes to where the Black River goes under the highway. We put in on the northwest side of the bridge. Then, we do a 5 minute car shuttle to the bridge at the first concession road to the west.

Hint: Buy cheap gas ("cheap" being a relative term) at the service centre on HWY 12 just north of Beaverton.

Event Coordinator/s Contact Information
Contact (Name): 
Bill Ness
Phone: 
416-321-3005
Email: