MARK YOUR CALENDAR – OSSCC Blog

Thursday June 4th Canoe Trip

Where: Grindstone Creek / Hamilton Harbour

When: Thursday June 4th, 2026

Time: 8:30 a.m., (at the shed)

Trip Organizer: Michael De Andrade

Tower: Bruce Burkhardt

Skill Level Required – Beginner

Trip Fee – $8:00

Trip Details:

This is a relatively easy paddle on Grindstone Creek near the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario. The surrounding wetlands are rich in biodiversity and wildlife. The distance by canoe is approximately 2-3 kilometres (return). Upon completion of Grindstone Creek, we will venture into Hamilton Harbour to the Coates Paradise access point then back to the designated parking lot.

No car shuttle required for this trip.

Parking:

Parking is limited. Additional parking is available new the cemetery leading into the designated parking area..

Parking fees apply. A credit card is necessary to reserve your vehicle parking spot on-line once you arrive. Free vehicle entry for those who possess a Royal Botanical Gardens pass.

Carpooling is the best option for this trip. The few the cars the better.

Should you choose to carpool, please make arrangements before we meet

Thursday morning.

If you carpool, please reimburse your driver ($5 would be appropriate for this trip.) If you drive in a different car each way, please reimburse both drivers.

Bring:

Lunch/snacks, water, hat, sunscreen, PFD, & proper footwear. No flip-flops or crocs—AND Emergency Contact Card—tell your paddling partner where it is!

Also, binoculars/camera for those bird and nature lovers.

Contact: Michael De Andrade to register, advising if you paddle stern or bow.

Email: mdeanrade@hotmail.com

Phone: 519-716-5067.

*You will receive an email to confirm your registration.
*If you don’t receive a confirmation email by Tuesday night, contact the Trip Leader to ensure you’re on the list.

If you change your mind, or are unable to paddle for some reason, please let the Trip Leader know asap as this will affect number of canoes required, partners etc.

PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL THE MORNING OF THE TRIP IN CASE OF CANCELLATION

Pond Training ~ Reminder to Register

Pond Trainings starts next week…Yippee

A gentle reminder, pond trainings are open to ALL members.
Date: Tues April 21, Monday April 27, and Tues April 28,
Location: Victoria and Shirley Street pond, meet at the shed at 12:30 p.m.
The ‘Shed is located at 510 Dutton Drive, Watereloo.
Cost: $2.00 per date (for towing, pay at the pond)

RSVP: to Anne Woolner ~ to plan for number of canoes required.
Email: annewoolner@hotmail.com
Phone: 519-743-2277

Trip Schedule 2026

2026 TRIP SCHEDULE

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	Anne Woolner 519-743-2277	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 Woolner 519-743-2277	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	Steve &Bruce	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)	Steve Michael	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 - Moyers Landing	Anne Woolner		This trip involves a portage around the Mannheim Weir & past 2 golf courses and the Pioneer tower.
Thursday, June 11	TBA
Tues. June 16	Paradise Lake	Social Committee		A fun day of water sports, games and paddling. Snacks & lunch are provided by the camp.
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
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).
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
Thurs. Aug 13	Grand River Shirley -Freeport			An exciting paddle with a few drops to make things interesting ~2-3 hours
Tues. Aug. 18	Grand River Westmount Rose-Riverbend			A scenic paddle throgh farm land and past 2 golf courses ~2-3 hours
*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.
**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
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.
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

Printable 2026 Trip Schedule (V1)

Tuesday, May 13th Paddle

Date: Tuesday, May 13

Trip: Nith River- Ayr to Silver Bridge ( Blenheim Rd)
**Even though it is mid-May, the rivers are already getting low, so this trip may have to be changed to Kaufman’s to Shirley Dr.**

Leader: Anne Woolner

Tower: Frank Kuntz

Cost: $8 (no envelopes necessary)

Meet at the shed to leave @ 8:30

Trip Details:

This is usually a challenging and exciting 3-3.5 hour paddle for strong paddlers, with nice drops in the river and rapids.

Carpool:
Please make car pooling arrangements before we meet on Tuesday morning.

If you carpool, please reimburse your driver ($10 would be appropriate for this trip). If you drive in a different car each way, please reimburse both drivers.

What to Bring:
Bring lunch, water, hat, sunscreen, PFD, and proper foot wear- no flipflops or Crocs!

Training Required for this Trip:
Intermediate training and strong paddling skills is a must for this trip.

RSVP:
Please contact Anne Woolner (annewoolner@hotmail.com 519-743-2277)) to register for this trip.
When you RSVP, please let the leader know if you are stern or bow.

You will receive a confirmation email, with driving instructions, to confirm your spot.

If you don’t receive a confirmation by Monday night, please contact the trip leader to make sure you are on the list.

If you change your mind or are unable to make it for some reason,
please let the Trip Leader know asap this will affect number of canoes required, partners, etc

Please check your email the morning of the trip in case of cancellation or change of route.

Tell your canoeing partner where your emergency card is.

Reminder ~ AGM October 17th, 2024

AGM: Thursday, October 17th, 2024 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Address: RIM Park – 2001 University Avenue E, Waterloo, ON
Room for Meeting: Forbes Room
(same location and room where the 2024 Membership meeting was held)

Gentle Reminder:
If you want Old Salt Sr. Canoe Club to continue, we require volunteers.
These three positions will be vacant for 2025 canoe season.
1. Training Coordinator. This position can be shared by two people.
2. Treasurer
3. Membership Coordinator in Training ~ Blog/Web Assistant

Contact:
If interested, or require more information, please reach out to OSSCC President: Bruce Williams brucewms@yahoo.com