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Thursday, June 8, 2017

Canada's iconic padde sports celebrated with a splash



   One-Tank Trip for June 3/17
 
   By Jim Fox



   Go ahead and “paddle your own canoe” while joining others across Canada “celebrating” recreational paddle sports, craft and heritage.

   National Paddling Week has events from June 10 to 18 for a sport that’s “truly ingrained in our Canadian culture, such as the iconic canoe.”
A record 138 canoes and kayaks jammed into the Peterborough Lift Lock last year on National Canoe Day.

   As well, the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough paddles in with a Voyageur Canoe Paddle PA Day on June 9 and the Lock n’ Paddle for National Canoe Day on June 24.

   Paddling Week was created in 2013 by Rapid Media, Paddle Canada and the canoe museum to promote recreational paddling through individuals, groups, families, events instructors, industry, clubs, communities and other recreational paddlers.

   Organizers say the goal is to “encourage as many Canadians to get into a canoe, kayak or onto a board and be counted . . . to show our national commitment to the fun, the benefits and challenge of paddling.”

   The iconic canoe throughout time has been the means of transport and commerce of the First Nations, then later as a vehicle for the fur traders.

   The paddling week website says the sport “has taken on a new form of recreation in any craft that can be propelled by a paddle, be it canoe, kayak or stand-up board.”

 
Paddling a Voyageur canoe in Algonquin Park. (Jim Fox photo)

   Row, row, row your boat

   One of the events is the “150 for 150 paddle Canoe Lake” in Algonquin Park on June 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

   The event is aimed at having 150 canoes taking part to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday.

   Other events include MEC Toronto Paddlefest on June 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and June 11, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Sunnyside Beach (1755 Lake Shore Blvd. W.).
A Voyageur canoe in the lift locks.

   The free event invites visitors to “dive into the world of kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddle boarding.

   Go for a “test paddle,” learn from the experts and there will be exhibitor booths. events.mec.ca/node/146086

   “Canoe Believe It,” sponsored by Perth Outfitters on June 10 and 11, wants to attract hundreds to enjoy the Rideau Canal system.
“Which way to the lake?” At one of the canoe companies near Algonquin Park. (Barbara Fox photo)

   As well as paddling down the Tay River and through the Tay Marsh, participants will be able to “experience the joy” of going through the Beveridge’s Locks.

   There will be riverside barbecues, live music, campfires and camping, with rental boats and boards available.

   The Ottawa River Canoe Club (1610 Sixth Line) holds an open house on June 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

   The club has adult and youth programs now to September for competitive racing, masters sprint paddling, dragon boat, outrigger and stand-up paddling as well a summer camps for kids.

   The paddling week website includes launch sites and a listing of Canadian canoe routes as a “resource for wilderness paddlers.” 

   There are hundreds of route descriptions, gear reviews, discussion forums, chats and online shopping at myccr.com while the week’s site is at paddleweek.ca

 
Paddling a Voyageur canoe in Algonquin Park. (Jim Fox photo)

   On the move

   The Canadian Canoe Museum is moving to a new home that will “physically connect the more than 600 watercraft in its collection to the waterways of the country.”

   The new facility will be located beside the Peterborough Lift Lock National Historic Site on the Trent-Severn Waterway.

   The Ontario government is providing $9 million for the museum’s redevelopment while the Canadian government gave $1.4 million in cultural infrastructure funding.

   Upcoming museum events include the June 9 Voyageur Canoe Paddle for kids aged eight to 14.

   Participants can paddle one of the big canoes through the lift lock and picnic on the shores of the Otonobee River.

   Lock n’ Paddle again marks National Canoe Day on June 24 starting at 1 p.m. to see how many paddlers can fit into the Peterborough lock.

   Last year, a record 138 canoes and kayaks created a traffic jam in the lock. canoemuseum.ca



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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com

For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca

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