Where to Go Canoeing in South Western Ontario

By Tim Leroy

There are many great places to go canoeing or kayaking in South Western Ontario. Here are three excellent paddling spots that the locals don't want you to know about. First is Big Creek finishing at Long Point on Lake Erie, the second is Black Creek out of Port Dover, and my personal favorite The Nith River ending in Paris.

The best section of Big Creek to paddle is from county rd. 60 down to hwy. 59 at Long Point. There are however two portages between county rd.60 and the second concession, so I prefer to start at the second con session if I'm using two vehicles and park at the ramp on Front rd. at Port Royal if I'm in one vehicle.

Big Creek should not be run until after the spring run off. Because the creek is so narrow with many twist and turns, plus log jams it can make running this creek in fast water very dangerous.

If you access the creek at Front rd. you can paddle up stream or down stream, there is very little current after the spring run off, but is still plenty deep enough that you may see the odd small fishing boat or sea-doo in the lower part of the creek.

As you paddle upstream from the Front rd. access point or downstream from the second concession you will be surrounded by thick Carolinian Forest and small marshs off to the side for you to explore.

Downstream from Front rd. the creek gets wider as it heads into Big Creek Marsh. Cross straight across the marsh to hwy.59 at Long Point you can park a second vehicle here. From the second concession to hwy. 59 takes about 2-3 hours.

Black Creek can also be paddled upstream against the slow current, after the spring run-off.

I like to access the creek just below the lift bridge in Port Dover. There is a public parking lot on the west side of the creek.If you go down stream from here it will take you into the harbor and out into lake Erie. Water in the harbor can be very choppy from the boats coming and going.

As you go upstream under the lift bridge you will go past the Port Dover Yacht Club where you will see many beautiful yachts and sail boats. Also there are some old fishing trawlers wrecks sitting along the side of the creek.After the Yacht Club you go past some beautiful homes backing onto the creek.

As you past the last home the creek turns to the left, and opens up to a large marsh area.Past the marsh the creek narrows again, and carries on past Black Creek Conservation Area. This can also be used as your access point.

If water levels are low you may only be able to go a little farther after the bridge, but when they are up you can still go for a while. In the fall of 2008 I was able to go about an other half hour past the conservation area.

This is an excellent route to take for novice paddlers, we even took our two year old granddaughter on this trip. From the lift bridge in Port Dover to the conservation area and back takes about two hours. And last but not least my favorite paddling spot is the Nith River. The Nith is tributary of the Grand River running from New Hamburg to Paris.

If you are into white water paddling then this river is excellent to run with the spring run-off. Just after the run off there is still a good flow of water with some grade lll rapids.

Once the river drops to its normal level it can be run by novice paddlers. The river can be access at most bridges between New Hamberg and Paris. Most bridges are about two to three hours apart. This river can not be run upstream, as the water flow is to fast. You will need to plan your put ins and take outs.

My usual trip is from the put in just upstream from the bridge in Canning down into the Grand finishing at Optimist Park in the south end of Paris. There are some very nice sections of this river up stream too.All you need to do is pick a put out spot, park a vehicle and go back up stream a few bridges and put in.

The reason this is my favorite river is because it does not get a lot of traffic on it. Many times I have gone down the Nith and not see another person from put in to put out. Plus there is a lot of wild-life along the river. It is not unusual to see deer, muskrat, and beaver

You can get canoe and kayak rentals at Grand Experiences in Paris. So you have three great spots to go canoeing or kayaking if you are planning to visit South Western Ontario, or you live in S.W.O. and don't want to travel a long distance to go for a paddle. I hope this is helpful to you.

I spend much of my spare time Kayaking and Canoeing. I've paddled many of the rivers and lakes in Ontario. If you would like to learn the basics and beyond of kayaking follow this link http://www.squidoo.com/learntokayak

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Types of Kayaks to Consider For Family Kayaking

By Chris DuToit

The great outdoors beckons as more activities than ever are available to the modern active family. Water sports alone provide an ample array from which to choose. Kayaking is well placed at the forefront of adrenaline producing activity that can serve as a bond that will last a family a lifetime. Some people may question whether this sport is indeed suitable to their family as stereotypes of the sport often prevail. Many people envision kayakers as strapping young daredevils who shoot the rapids of wild whitewater. Risk takers who summersault endlessly with paddles held chest high ready to take on bigger and better and more dangerous challenges, not thinking for a moment about the danger found among the rock laden river. The thought of recruiting one's spouse and children to take part in such a perilous endeavor may be unnerving to say the least. The truth is white water rafters comprise just one segment of the sport of kayaking. Kayaking has safer and more sedate alternatives available unless of course your family is well heeled with regard to white water.

So, the first question that must be answered by the family considering a kayak for family outings is whether or not the white water is the destination. If so, I will venture to say you and your family are in the minority and have a great deal experience in the sport. Nonetheless, and as you are probably already aware based on your experience, there are a multitude of boating options available to suit your needs. For the family without much experience though the destination probably does not a raging river. Flat-water kayaking, kayaking on lakes ponds and bays is probably a more suitable activity. The next question you need to answer is "Are you looking for a single or a tandem kayak?" Since the assumption is that this is a kayak for a family, a tandem kayak is probably a more functional choice. The hull on these types of Kayaks is longer and more stable, designed specifically for less volatile conditions. The interiors are wider and most offer extra compartments for storage. The design is more compatible for the kayaker who needs stability while minimizing the amount of paddling required for distance traveled. Seating can vary as some offer the opportunity to sit on top of the kayak so as to paddle as if in a canoe. Rudders to help steer are also available and these are particularly effective in flat-water type kayaking where the stern does not come out of the water often. Price is an important consideration as well and is based largely on the type of material used. Plastic is the least expensive but quite heavy. For optimal price and maneuverability Families may want to consider inflatable models which are actually quite durable.

For the family considering kayaking as an activity, focusing on specific needs is key to picking the right kayak. Those with little experience and knowledge of the sport may find flat-water kayaks most appealing. These types of kayaks are fast, sturdy and have extra room for fishing and camping gear. A two-seater can allow an adult and a child to ride together and an inflatable craft can make transportation much easier. As your experience increases many more models are available for activities like white water adventures.

The author and his family are outdoor fanatics and regularly do different kinds of outdoor activities to get their adrenalin injection. Paddling on their sit on kayaks are one of their favorites. For more tips and information visit http://buysitonkayaks.com.

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The History of the White Water Canoe Sprint

By Paul Makepeace

We take a look at how canoeing started as a sport and how it has developed from the Inuit People to become an Olympic discipline. The one name that is synonymous with canoes and kayaks is the Scottish barrister John MacGregor, he was the first European to use an Inuit Kayak for transportation. MacGregor was also the founder of the first kayak club, aptly named The Royal Club of London in 1866; this was established in London because of the interest and access to Europe.

MacGregor decided to organise the first canoeing competition, this was held in 1869 and created great interest in the canoe and kayak designs for this new sport. The canoe sport became popular all over Europe and spread to America where in 1871 the New York Canoe Club was established.

The sport of canoeing became a worldwide sport when it was officially introduced as an event in the 1936 Berlin Games, the Canoe Sprint was born. Women had their own category introduced in the 1948 Olympics. The acceptance of the Canoe Sprint as an Olympic sport, created the need for the British Canoe Union which was formed in 1936 for the Olympics. This union was created so that Great Britain could send a competitive team to Berlin and hopefully bring back medals, this did not come to pass, but the foundations were formed so that future medal hopes will have support and training.

The Olympic Canoe Sprint has changed a great deal over the years, this is due to the improvement in standards and the technology involved in building canoes and kayaks, so that each individual has the same opportunities.

The upcoming 2012 Olympics in London has released their canoe and kayaking programme will consist of 12 events, eight of which are men and four of which are women. There is a new sprint that will feature in the Olympics for the first time; the 200m event, this is sure to be fast paced and high-octane fun for the spectators. This will be in the mens and women's K1 events. The 500m races will include the K1, K2 and K4 for women's while the men will race in the K1, K2, K4, C1 and C2 over the 1000m course. The Olympic Canoe Sprint medals have been predominantly won by European, this shows the influences that MacGregor still has when he set in place the foundation of kayaking in 1869 with the first competition.

Come and experience the UK's Newest White Water Rafting Centre. Get ready to experience the thrills, obstacles and drops of world class White Water Rafting.

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International Sea Kayaking Guide Books

By Jared R Harmon

Kayakers who want to add to their sea kayaking adventures and explorations will find many destinations to choose from in sea kayaking guide books. Here are a few of the those available.

Guide to Sea Kayaking Central & Northern California

Authors Roger Schumann and Jan Shriner included over 40 sea kayaking trips with over 100 alternative routes. Created for beginners along with expert sea kayakers, the book includes mile by mile descriptions of routes, outstanding landmarks, maps, and interesting sights.

Sea Kayaking Maryland's Chesapeake Bay: Day Trips on the Tidal Tributaries and Coastlines of the Western and Eastern Shore

Written by Michael Savario and Andrea Nolan, this is billed as the first and only kayaking guide to the Chesapeake Bay region. The book covers over 30 trips.

The Chesapeake watershed covers over 64,000 square miles and drains part of six states as well as Washington, D.C. The tidal shoreline is 4,600 miles long. There are over 400 rivers and creeks.
This guide covers trips in the Bay, in tributaries and along both East and West shores. Details includes put-ins, put-outs, winds, currents, equipment, security, and paddling. Sidebars note salt marsh ecology, wildlife and social and maritime history.

Low-impact paddling techniques are talked over together with hypo/hyperthermia, and more.

Sea Kayaking Along the Mid-Atlantic Coast: Coastal Paddling Adventures From New York to Chesapeake Bay

Veteran coast paddler Tamsin Venn chose 30 kayaking trips along the mid-Atlantic shoreline to comprise in this guide book. Detailed route descriptions are provided, together with local history, wildlife, ecology, maps and NOAA chart references, access, parking, launching and landing, trip mileage, harbor information, tidal ranges, currents, weather, equipment and more.

Scottish Canoe Classics

Eddy Palmer chose his favorite 25 inland touring routes and included them here. Numerous photos and specially commissioned maps provide detail. Routes are worthwhile for open canoe and touring kayaks. There's loads of variety. The journeys happen on inland lochs, sheltered sea lochs and rivers of up to Grade 2.
Sea Kayaking (Outside Adventure Travels)

Veteran kayaker Jonathan Hanson particulars 25 coastlines spanning seven seas from Northwest Territories to Baja, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Everglades, from the Greek Isles to Tierra del Fuego, from the Red Sea to Fiji. Readers will find out how to see the powerful Orcas (killer whales) off the coast of British Columbia, dolphins racing in the Sea of Cortez off Baja, beluga whales cruising the Arctic and gray seals and puffins on the cliffs of Scotland's Hebrides.
Wild Coast (The)

Volume 1: A Kayaking, Hiking and Recreational Guide for North and West Vancouver Island
John Kimantas covers the geography, ecology, history and attractions of North and West Vancouver Island with dozens of color photos and maps. Eleven chapters are included. Each describes a different island area with comforts, attractions, ecology, history, place names, landing sites, campgrounds and general trivia. This guidebook allows the reader to plan and get the most from exploring this spectacular coast.

From the United States to the Great Barrier Reef to Vancouver Island, these guide books supply sea kayaking trips for beginners and experts alike.

Find out more about the author in:

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Suggestions For Picking the Right Place to Paddle in the Finger Lakes & Central Regions of New York

By Sue Freeman

You're thinking of going paddling in the Finger Lakes Region, or maybe in part of Central New York, but you're clueless about where to go. That's not unusual. There are so many options that picking the right place can be an overwhelming task. Let's narrow it down. Below you'll find suggestions on some of the best places to head if you're looking for:

- Special experiences from a kayak or canoe

- Docile streams to meander down

- Kayak and camping options

- Beautiful ponds to putter about in

- Long rivers to cover some distance

- Fast water adventures

Every single one of these options (and many more) are mapped and detailed in the guidebook "Take A Paddle - Finger Lakes New York Quiet Water for Canoes and Kayaks."

Special Experiences from a Kayak in the Finger Lakes & Central Regions of NY

Pity those who only rely on their car for transportation. They miss so many unique sights and adventures. If you're willing to paddle a kayak you can go, see, and experience some aspects of the Finger Lakes region that few get to see.

1. Paddle among the river otters. Honeoye Inlet (at the south end of Honeoye Lake) was a release point for the river otter restoration project.
2. Lock through an Erie Canal lock. Sitting at the bottom of a lock chamber in a kayak makes you feel mighty small. The noises of the lock tender shifting gears and the lock doors clanking and grinding as they open and close is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, not to be missed. Just be sure to take a pair of gloves to protect your hands as you hold onto the cable that runs from top to bottom in the lock. Locks can be found in Macedon, Palmyra, Newark, Lyons, Clyde, Galen, Montezuma, Seneca Falls, and Clay.
3. Chimney Bluffs is a glacial moraine that has been cut into artistic peaks and spires along the shore of Lake Ontario by the forces of wind and water. On a calm day, paddle along the shore of Lake Ontario and gaze up in wonder at this work of natural art.
4. Sand dunes in New York State? You bet! Paddle Deer Creek to Lake Ontario and near the shore you'll pass through a series of sand dunes.
5. Paddle under the Erie Canal. Nine Mile Creek flows under the Erie Canal which is carried high overhead in an arched aqueduct. Now, where else can you do that?
6. Paddle through Ninemile Swamp on the Sangerfield River where wildlife and wildflowers will be your escort. This is a true escape into nature.

Maps and details for each of these special experiences and others can be found in the guidebook "Take A Paddle - Finger Lakes New York Quiet Water for Canoes & Kayaks."

Docile Streams of the Finger Lakes Region

"Flat water" is the technical lingo for docile streams that drift along with a gentle or nonexistent current. Without major drops in elevation, they don't plummet over waterfalls or roil in rapids. You can drift down them with a leisurely paddle and not worry too much about sharp turns or impediments along the way. Of course, even the most docile stream can get a blown down tree from a storm or become an angry torrent with enough rain or snow melt. Generally, if you're looking for a docile stream you should limit your paddling to summer and fall.

Docile streams also lend themselves to two-way travel. Without a strong current you can paddle both upstream and downstream. This means you don't have to hassle with spotting a car or arranging for a shuttle.

The Finger Lakes region teems with docile streams that wander through gorgeous countryside. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Circumnavigate an island. Using a section of the Erie Canal and a remote loop of the Seneca River you can paddle 10.7 miles around Howland Island. This is part of the Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area so be sure to take your binoculars for the excellent bird watching opportunities.
2. The Erie Canal today is wide and deep - dredged years ago to allow passage of barges. But remnants of the old, smaller canal still exist. One such segment runs between Dewitt and Canastota and is called the Old Erie Canal. You can paddle all 17 miles or choose a smaller segment. Along the way you will traverse through aqueducts over creeks and have to duck under bridges. Just like the famous Erie Canal song says, it's "low bridge everybody down."
3. Rent boats at Puddledockers in Ithaca and paddle the Cayuga Lake Inlet. There's much to look at along the way and you can even stop at the docks enroute to enjoy a meal, a drink, or ice cream.
4. West River Marsh at the south end of Canandaigua Lake is a lazy stream that can be paddled year-round, except when frozen. Enjoy the peace and quiet tucked below the towering hills that surround Canandaigua Lake.

Maps and details for each of these docile streams and others can be found in the guidebook "Take A Paddle - Finger Lakes New York Quiet Water for Canoes & Kayaks."

Kayaking & Camping In the Finger Lakes / Central Region of NY State

One of the things I love about kayaking is the opportunity it affords me to escape into nature, away from motorboats, away from throngs of people, and away from man-made noise. By combining camping and kayaking you can extend the escape and submerse yourself in nature. Some wonderful opportunities for these escapes exist in the Finger Lakes region. But first, camping needs to be sub-divided into two distinct experiences. The first is the use of campgrounds where you can set up a tent or use a camper and enjoy the luxury of a shower after a day of paddling. As drawbacks, you won't escape the noise and throngs of people and there is a cost involved. Primitive camping, on the other hand, is free and offers solitude and quiet, but you have to be willing to forego showers and flush toilets. You choose.

Campgrounds:

1. Stay at Fairhaven Beach State Park and paddle Sterling Creek. Fairhaven Beach State Park is a spectacular 1,400-acre site with nearly two miles of Lake Ontario shoreline. A stay here can combine shoreline walks, hikes on trails, and paddling on Sterling Pond and Sterling Creek. The creek is easy to paddle both upstream and down so you won't need to hassle with a shuttle. Be sure to take along binoculars. A swamp called "The Moat" abuts the creek and is teeming with hawks, herons, ducks, geese, turtles and frogs.
2. Stay at Hickories Park and circumnavigate Hiawatha Island on the Susquehanna River. Hickories Park is a campground owned by the Town of Owego that sits on the banks of the Susquehanna River. Launch from the campground and paddle upstream or down on the wide, slow river. Bring along your fishing gear and angle for walleye, bass and tiger muskellunge. Downstream it's a short paddle to 112-acre Hiawatha Island which is owned by The Waterman Conservation Education Center and offers two miles of hiking trails.
3. Camp at Park Station Recreation Center and paddle Park Station Lake. Park Station Recreation Center in Erin offers 6 miles of hiking trails, a RV and tent campground, and a 100-acre man-made lake to paddle or fish.

Primitive Camping:

1. Tent camping is allowed at the locks along the Erie Canal. Simply ask permission from the lockmaster. Camp at Lock 30 Canal Park in Macedon and you can paddle through history. Between Macedon & Palmyra you'll experience 3 versions of the Erie Canal - each from a different time period, see remains of an aqueduct, and even lock-through a canal lock.
2. Become an explorer on a 21 mile loop using the Erie Canal and Clyde River and camp along the shore in the Galen Marsh Wildlife Management Area. A true sense of adventure is helpful for this trip.
3. Long Pond in Smithville offers 10 primitive campsites at its north end that are free and on a first-come, first-served basis. The mile-long pond is undeveloped and tree-lined, part of the Long Pond State Forest, and is dappled with pond lilies.

Maps and details for each of these camping/paddling adventures and others can be found in the guidebook "Take A Paddle - Finger Lakes New York Quiet Water for Canoes & Kayaks."

Ponds of the Finger Lakes & Central Region of NYS

Yes, you can paddle the Finger Lakes themselves. But, they tend to be large lakes that are long and skinny. While paddling them you have to contend with wind, waves, and motorboats. Lucky for paddlers, the Finger Lakes region is dotted with many small lakes and ponds that are off the normal "tourist radar" and offer a much more pleasant human-powered boating experience. They also offer diversity. Each has a personality of its own, making pond hopping a fun Finger Lakes region sport.

1. Looking for shallow and pristine? Then choose Parker Pond or Otter Lake. They both sit between Cato & Meridian. It's just you and the wildlife in these ponds tucked inside a wooded wetland.
2. For a totally different experience go paddle Kasoag Lake & Green Pond. These waterways sport convoluted shorelines dotted with vintage cottages. Be a peeping Tom as you wind in and out of the lily-filled coves and among pine dotted islands.
3. Labrador Pond is a natural glacial pond tucked in a valley between steep wooded hills without a man-made structure in sight. After paddling, head across Route 91 and take a short walk up a trail to Tinker Falls. Here, you can walk behind the wall of water as it plummets off the limestone caprock.
4. Take a picnic lunch and paddle out to Red Bank Island in Lamoka Lake where you can swing off a tree rope, swim, and enjoy a leisurely meal with a spectacular view.

Maps and details for each of these pond adventures and others can be found in the guidebook "Take A Paddle - Finger Lakes New York Quiet Water for Canoes & Kayaks."

Long Rivers of the Finger Lakes Region

Are you aching to dip that paddle in a stream and cover some ground? You're in luck in the Finger Lakes region. The rivers here aren't wide, deep, fast moving behemoths that the term "river" may conger in your mind. They are significant waterways but the shores are close by and the currents are generally helpful, not menacing (except during spring melt of course). I loved paddling the rivers here. You can get a cadence going and meld into a trance as the countryside drifts by.

In the upper reaches of these rivers they can be creek-like with twists and turns and obstacles such as downed trees or submerged dams. It's just enough excitement to keep you alert and on guard.

1. One of the more creek-like rivers is the East Branch Tioughnioga River between Cuyler and Cortland. No day dreaming allowed here. Expect 20 miles of good paddling.
2. The Otselic River begins creek-like in Cincinnatus and is more river-like 14 miles later when it meets the north end of Whitney Point Reservoir. Birds will serenade you on this remote wilderness stream.
3. The Tioughnioga River flows in a wide valley with low banks, providing a panoramic view rimmed with farm-dotted hills. It runs 21 miles from Marathon to Chenango Forks. 4. Running 15 miles from Wallace to Bath, the Cohocton River is an especially beautiful river. This clear water stream flows over a rocky bottom, and allows you to watch fish as you float or paddle downstream. On route, you pass beautiful, lush scenery and have ample opportunity to take breaks along shore.

Maps and details for each of these long paddling rivers and others can be found in the guidebook "Take A Paddle - Finger Lakes New York Quiet Water for Canoes & Kayaks."

Fast Water Adventures in the Finger Lakes Region of NY State

Lakes, ponds, and meandering streams - they can all be found in the Finger Lakes region. But, so too will you find fast water streams that offer frolicking adventures for more experienced or more adventurous kayakers. These generally aren't white water - except during spring melt season - but they are streams where the water moves swiftly and you need to be adept at rounding sharp corners and avoiding obstacles such as downed trees or dams.

These are fun streams where your skills can be tested. You're just as likely to round a bend and find several deer standing in the creek drinking as you are to experience a game of tag with a great blue heron. The herons have a tendency to flush as you approach, fly downstream and rest on a limb until you approach and flush them again, and again, and again. Heron tag is one of the many joys of paddling in the Finger Lakes region. Here are a few of my favorite Finger Lakes region fast water adventures:

1. Canandaigua Outlet drains from Canandaigua Lake into the Erie Canal. Near Canandaigua Lake it's canalized and drops over several waterfalls but between Manchester and Lyons it's a moving water lover's paradise.
2. Ganargua Creek (also called Mud Creek) has a fast and twisty run between Palmyra and Lyons. Go have a whoop-hollering good time.
3. Owasco Outlet runs with clear water over a rocky bed so it's enticing to watch the fish and not pay full attention to what's ahead. The section between Throopsville and the Seneca River is 10 miles of fun.
4. Equally fun, but quite different is the other end of Owasco Lake on the Owasco Inlet. It's two streams in one. From Moravia to the Route 38 Bridge it's a fast moving, narrow, winding stream. Downstream from Route 38 it widens into a deep slow moving channel through Owasco Flats. Here, you're eye level with fields of ferns and get to enjoy deer, muskrats, great blue herons and beavers until you reach Owasco Lake.

Maps and details for each of these fast water adventures and others can be found in the guidebook "Take A Paddle - Finger Lakes New York Quiet Water for Canoes & Kayaks."(http://www.footprintpress.com/paddling/TAPfingerlakesPreview.htm)

Sue Freeman is the author of 14 guidebooks to fun outdoors in Central & Western New Your State. They can all be viewed at http://www.footprintpress.com.

Contact Sue at sue@footprintpress.com for photos to accompany this article.

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