Our communication and resource hub!
There are a few spots open for the Refresher training (Monday, May 4) and the Intermediate training (Sunday, May 24). If interested, please email Bruce Burkhardt, our Training Coordinator, at bruce@poly-corps.com.
Note: While dates are set, they could change depending on water levels, etc.
FYI: If you need a life jacket, the spring Salus Life Jacket Sale will be Saturday, April 25. It is recommended to get there early!
Friendly reminder of the Membership meeting Wednesday, March 11 at RIM park (2nd floor Century Room), from 1 pm to 3 pm.
| DATE | WHERE | TRIP LEADER(S) | TOWER(S) | TRIP INFO. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon.May 4 Refresher course (rain date May 30) | Glen Morris - Birley Gates | Bruce B | ||
| **Tues. May 5 | Grand River Inverhaugh to Kaufman's | Bruce B. | Excellent views with a few challenging manoeuvres. Experienced paddlers & Intermediate training. 4.5-hour paddle | |
| Sat. May 9 Basic training (rain date May 30) | meeting at River Bluffs, Cambridge | Bruce B | ||
| **Tues. May 12 | Nith River- Ayr to Blenheim Rd (Silver Bridge) | Anne | Bruce B. | Exciting paddle, with rapids. Intermediate training/strong paddling skills required. 3-4-hour paddle |
| **Tues. May 19 | Conestoga & Grand Rivers St. Jacobs to Kaufman's | Bruce B. | Exellent views with a few challenges. Experienced paddlers & intermediate training required ~4 hours | |
| Sunday, May 24 (rain date May 30) Intermediate Training | Water st, Cambridge to Birley Gates | Bruce B | ||
| **Tues.May 26 | Nith- Blenhiem (Silver Bridge) to Canning (2nd exit) | Bruce B. | Exciting paddle with lots of rapids. Intermediate training and strong paddling skills required. ~3-4 hour paddle |
|
| Thurs. May 28 | Grand River- Moyers Landing to RiverBluffs Inaugural trip for new members followed by a BBQ lunch @ Riverbluffs | Michael De Andrade | Bruce B | A relatively easy 1.5 hour paddle. Be prepared to navigate, or walk around rapids, depending on water levels. |
| Tues. June 2 | Grindstone Creek | Michael De Andrade | This is a realtively easy paddle on Grindstone Creek near the Botanical Gardens in Burlington.the surrounding wetlands are rich in biodiversity and wildlife. | |
| Tues. June 9 | Grand River- Freeport - Pat's Trailer | This trip involves a portage around the Mannheim Weir & past 2 golf courses and the Pioneer tower. It ends with a potluck lunch at Pat's Trailer. | ||
| Thursday, June 11 | TBA | Easy Breezy Lovely paddle through the harbour and into Cootes Paradise |
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| Tues. June 16 | Paradise Lake | Social Committee | A fun day of water sports, games and paddling. Snacks & lunch are provided by the camp. |
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| Tues, June 23 | Grand River Bean Park -Brant Conservation Area | A lazy summer paddle with wide river vistas & a chance to see eagles and blue herons. 2-2.5-hour paddle | ||
| Thurs.June 25 | Royal City Park | Robin H. | Easy Breezy A 2 hour trip passing local landmarks and with many turtle sightings. We end with ice cream at the Boathouse Tearoom |
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| Tues, June 30 | Grand River Brant Conservation Area to Erie St. | A 2 hour trip with interesting challenges & maybe a sighting of Bald Eagles and Blue Herons. | ||
| **Tues, July 7 | Saugeen River #1 Lobe Park—Concession #10 Access #5—Access #7 | An all-day trip that usually ends with an ice-cream cone! Some moderate rapids and spectacular scenery as we meander north. Intermediate training. | ||
| *Thurs. July 9 | St.Mary's | Easy Breezy An peaceful paddle along the Trout Creek and Thames (round trip). |
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| Tues. July 14 | Grand River Water St- Glen Morris | This is a 2 hour paddle with some rapids to practice our river reading | ||
| Tues. July 21 | Grand River Glen Morris to Birley Gates | A popular stretch of the river that is constantly changing. It seems like a new river on each excursion. | ||
| Thurs,July 23 | Big Creek | We meander through Norfolk County towards Lake Erie's Long Point. Requires stamina & manoeuvring skills around downed trees & other obstacles. We could end with a swim at the beach. ˜3 hours | ||
| **Tues, July 28 | Beaver Kimberly to Slabtown | Doug & Bruce | Intermediate training required.The Lower section has small rapids with increasing difficulty (and fun) approaching Slab Town | |
| Tues. Aug.4 | Grand River Kaufman's - Shirley Dr | Intermediate training required.The Lower section has small rapids with increasing difficulty (and fun) approaching Slab Town | ||
| *Tues. Aug 11 | Stratford Lake and picnic | Easy Breezy An ejoyablepaddle around the lake in Stratford followed by a picnic lunch on the island |
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| Thurs. Aug 13 | Grand River Shirley -Freeport | An exciting paddle with a few drops to make things interesting ~2-3 hours |
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| Tues. Aug. 18 | Grand River Westmount Rose-Riverbend | A scenic paddle throgh farm land and past 2 golf courses ~2-3 hours |
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| *Thurs. Aug. 20 | Nith River New Hamburg | Easy Breezy All are welcome! After paddling on the Nith, we could walk the boardwalk & go for lunch. |
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| **Tues. Aug. 25 | Saugeen River #3 Access #10-Access #13 | Anne | Intermediate training required. An all day trip that requires stamina and good paddling skills followed by a swim at Port Elgin and supper at the Hotel. ~ 4 hours |
|
| *Tues. Sept 1 | Guelph Lake | Anne | Easy breezy. An interesting Paddle around the lake and can also include swimming and hiking, followed by a BBQ |
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| Tues. Sept. 8 | Grand River Kaufman's to Otterbein | Another scenic trip with lots of chances to spy Blue Herons and possibly a Bald Eagle. We pass under Brigeport Bridge. | ||
| Thurs. Sept. 10 | TBA | |||
| Sept. 14-18 | Bondi | Anne | Reg B. | A memorable get away at a beautiful lodge on Lake of Bays featuring day paddles, star gazing,evening wolf howls and great hiking. Oxtongue River's Ragged Falls is spectacular! |
| *Tues.Sept.22 Hespler Pond | Easy breezy A 2 hour trip past marsh areas which are home to cranes and egrets.Option to lunch at a local pub to finish off the day. |
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| Thurs. Sept 24 | TBA | |||
| Tues. Sept 29 | TBA | |||
| Thurs. oct.21 | Canoe cleaning at Franks | Bring buckets, sponges and rags. There might be food and special beverages after the cleaning |
2026 Trip Schedule
Please SAVE the list of trips for this season
If you can volunteer for “Trip Leader OR Tower” let Anne Woolner know. annewoolner@hotmail.com
New Trip Fees: (these amounts are paid when you meet for trips)
Trips under 60kms: $8. Meet at shed at 8:30am ~
Trips 61-100kms: $15. Meet at the shed at 8:00am
Trips over 100kms: $20. Meet at the shed at 8:00am
As our season ends, HELP is required!
And, as you know, many hands make light work!
Canoe Cleaning: Tuesday, September 30
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Frank’s House: 300 White Rock Cres, Waterloo
What to Bring: Rags, Sponges, Pails … and your own sweet self! 
Shhhh… Rumour is there may be a 😉 beverage after…
AGM: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
TIME: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
RIM PARK: “A” Entrance: Century Room, 2nd floor (to the right and then left into the room)
Address: 2001 University Avenue E, Waterloo, ON
(same location as the 2025 March Membership meeting)
We’re looking forward to seeing you all there! We’ll review and reminisce about this past canoe season.
All members are encouraged to join the Board for this important meeting!
The Brenda Welch Memorial Mini Golf Tournament
DATE: Thursday, September 18
TIME: 10.00 am at Market Sports (800 King St. N, Waterloo)
Mini Golf Cost: $10.95 per round (18 holes)
Followed by lunch at Jack’s Family Restaurant (20 Benjamin Rd.)
*For those who want to do lunch only, we’ll meet you at Jack’s at noon.
There’ll be prizes, or as Brenda always said,“There will be chocolate!” 😊
Please let Janet know if you’re coming to mini golf or lunch only at janetjanetjanet1960@gmail.com.
SOCIAL SAVE THE DATES
Tuesday, Sept. 23 —Regatta & Potluck at Laurel Creek (rain date Sept 25)
Tuesday, Oct. 21 —Car Rally
Tuesday, Dec. 9 —Christmas Lunch at Schmidtsville
DATE: Tuesday, August 26
Intermediate Training Required
LEADER: Anne Woolner
TOWER: Frank Kuntz
COST: $15
TIME: Meet at the Shed @ 8:00 am
TRIP DETAILS: This is a favourite paddle with interesting adventures and challenges. At the end, we usually go for a swim at Port Elgin, followed by supper at the hotel. This is an all-day trip that requires stamina and good river reading skills.
Carpooling: Please make carpooling arrangements before we meet Tuesday morning. If you carpool, please reimburse your driver ($20 would be appropriate for this trip.) If you drive in a different car each way, please reimburse both drivers.
BRING: PFD, water, hat, sunscreen, bug spray, dry bag with extra clothing, proper footwear (closed toe) AND *Emergency Contact Card—tell your paddling partner where it is!
REGISTRATION: Contact Anne Woolner, annewoolner@hotmail.com or 519-743-2277 to register, advising if you paddle stern, bow, or either. You will receive a confirmation email. If you don’t receive confirmation by Monday night, contact Anne to make sure you are on the list.
If you change your mind, or are unable to make it, please let Anne know asap as this will affect the number of canoes required.
Thursday, August 21, Canoe Trip—Cambridge (Galt) to Glen Morris— Cancelled
No leader or tower available.
