Flatwater

Book by May 1. The trip down the Nottawasaga Rive through Minesing Swamp is a slow paced, relaxing spring paddle. The swamp is a unique area rich in birds and wildlife. We’ll enter the Swamp via Willow Creek and follow the river down to Edenvale. A pleasant day’s paddle for canoeists of all skill levels.

book before May 1. Enjoy the spring warbler migration. We will camp at Wheatley Provincial Park and wander the trails of Point Pelee and Hillman Marsh. Flatwater padding opportunities available. Binoculars mandatory.

Book before April 15. We will paddle some lakes yet to be decided, experience the returning birds, and discover other flora and fauna emerging from hibernation. Maybe we will find the first turtles sunning themselves on logs, and listen to the choruses of spring peepers, as in previous years. We’ll hike and explore the surrounding area and clean up portages, if needed. Limit four canoes.

Book as soon as possible. This will be a challenging whitewater run suitable for advanced-level paddlers with fully outfitted canoes (centre bags for tandem boats) and proper cold-weather attire. If the river isn’t open yet we could switch to the Moira. Limit five boats

Book before March 21. Join me on this classic early spring favourite of Toronto area paddlers. We’ll catch the Credit in Streetsville and run down to the mouth at Port Credit. The river is a delightful continuous class 1 to 2 with lots of play spots. However, as sweepers can present a hazard and the water will be cold, participants should have solid basic moving water skills, and wear a wetsuit or drysuit. If we have a late break-up, we'll move the trip to March 29.

Book by March 21. Join us for an early spring run on the Credit from Inglewood to Glen Williams. Some competence in moving water is helpful. Suitable for novices. A potluck dinner will follow at the home of Barb & Dave in Brampton.

Contact by January 13 to register so we can book sufficient room. Join other paddlers for an evening of food, drink and good cheer to chase away the January blahs. It will be a great chance to get together and plan next season's adventures and re-live last summer's outings, or just watch a few paddling films running on the big screen in the background.

As in the past, we are organizing this evening together with members of the Ontario Voyageurs Kayak Club. Meet 7.00 pm at Toronto's Twisted Kilt Pub (previously the Bow & Arrow), 1954 Yonge Street (second floor), just north of Davisville subway station.

The pub is under new ownership and things are running a lot better than last year (Check out their website at www.thetwistedkilt.ca.).