Whitewater

Route will be created based on the skills and interests of the participants.

Come to Huron County and enjoy some early spring day trips. Each year is different and no gaurantees on weather or water levels so the itinerary is made up last moment. The desired trips are the Bayfield, Priceville section of the Saugeen and Benmiller section of the Maitland. Backup trips with lower levels will be the Saugeen and Maitland.

Come for one day or three. For those who would like accommodations, Camp Kintail has cabins. $32/night, $19/supper and $14/breakfast. Available for Friday night, Saturday breakfast, supper and night, Sunday breakfast. Bring a warm sleeping bag.

Updated April 29 with water level criteria and difficulty rating.
Rain is expected this week, so am adding go/no-go criteria to this trip. I will email participants Thursday night at the latest with a decision.
The following will be the criteria (Brantford gauge)
40 - easy trip, anyone welcome
>40 - water is moving faster, intermediate and up, drysuits/wetsuits mandatory
180-200 - bigger waves but doable
>200 - trip cancelled
https://www.grandriver.ca/our-watershed/river-data/river-and-stream-flow...

We are looking for 4 partners for Hood River 2025. We are 65 and 57 years old and have each done more than 10 canoe trips in the Canadian North.

Actually we are two and would like to run a real tundra river with 3 canoes. Originally the trip was for Horton or Burnside, but both rivers seem to have suffered too much from climate change.

Paddle two runs on the Lower Madawaska from Aumond's Bay to Buck Bay, on the Saturday and Sunday of Labour Day weekend. Meet at Paddler Coop to shuttle vehicles.

Join me for a fall run of the Lower Petawawa River, from Lake Travers to Lake McManus. We will take in the splendour of the fall colours while we paddle down the river, with cooler temperatures and few bugs! Expect lower water levels at this time of year.

Last Edit 10PM Tuesday July 16. The MAD River today is running a flow that is double what it was two weeks ago when six of us successfully did the Carruthers Park (Airport Rd) to Concession 3 section. It is true that the river is running a lot more slowly this time of year than it does in the spring, but now is a good time to bring your skill set to a higher level by learning optimum channel selection and sharps turns in tight places. Cold. fast flowing northern rivers may not be so forgiving. Come and enjoy 5 & 1/2; hours (ten km or more) of technical whitewater paddling on the MAD River (Creemore Ont) in mid summer. Call it Class II and III light (trees and sticks instead of rocks and high water). At low flow levels, this time of year, the river is moving much more slowly than the spring, so inexperienced whitewater paddlers can come experience the thrill of "rapids" in a relatively more safe environment. (learn and refresh paddle handling skills in a more controlled environment than the raging. cold water of the Spring runoff) We don't normally get an opportunity to do good quality whitewater paddling in southern Ontario in mid summer, but Tropical Storm Beryl dumped two days of heavy rain on southern Ontario Wednesday and Thursday this previous week. . At a minimum the paddling group will get the same experience as the six very happy WCA paddlers who played on the MAD on Sat July 6. The water levels were only 1.8 cu Meters per sec. I expect the river levels will be almost double that, on July 20 after the rain the previous week. 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, it 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. Your reaction time needs to be quick. I will teach you the white water part (the MAD way) . Whether we run the river from the top at Riverside Dr (14 km) or move down river (ten km paddling) will depend on flow levels at Put In time and the skill levels of the paddlers who sign up. Come play with me on Sunday July 14 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 have paddled with me already this spring. Looking for two to six canoes. I want at least two tandems. I will scout the river from shore again this week.

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.