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
-30-
Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
No comments:
Post a Comment