Basics – OSSCC Blog

Grand River – Kaufman to Shirley Drive

Date: Tuesday, June 4
Trip: Grand River – Kaufman’s to Shirley Dr.

Leader: Anne Woolner
Tower: Frank Kuntz

Basic Training Required: Fairly easy paddle

Cost: $8 (no envelopes necessary)

Meet at the shed to leave @ 8:30am

Trip Details:
This is a lovely but fairly easy paddle through Bridgeport with a little excitement passing under the Bridgeport bridge.
We will pass by Bingemans and can check out the trailer park and camp grounds as we pass by.
Hopefully we may see Blue Herons or Bald Eagles.
This is about a 2 1/2 hour paddle depending on the river flow.
If the flow is as high as it is this week, the trip may be extended.

Carpooling:
Please make arrangements before we meet on Tuesday 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.

Remember to Bring:
Lunch, water, hat, sunscreen, PFD, and proper foot wear-
NO flip flops OR crocs

Register for Trip:
Please contact  Anne Woolner
Email: annewoolner@hotmail.com
Phone: 519-743-2277
You will receive a confirmation email 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 as this will affect number of canoes required, partners, etc

Please check your email the morning of the trip in case of cancellation

OOPS ~ Edit to May 30th Paddle

BASIC Training Level is required for this paddle
(and not Intermediate as noted)

Date: Thursday, May 30
Trip: Grand River- Moyers Landing to River Bluffs

Leader: Evan Jenkins
Tower: Evan Jenkins

Please contact Anne Woolner @ annewoolner@hotmail.com
519-743-2277 to register for this trip.
You will receive a confirmation email to confirm your spot.
If you don’t receive a confirmation by Wednesday 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 as this will affect number of canoes required, partners, etc

Everyone can attend this fun paddle ~ please join us.

September 5th Paddle

Fall is near, have no fear there is plenty of paddles suitable for all!

Date: Tuesday September 5th

Trip: Green River – Township of Ramara &Severn

Basic Training is required.

Leader: Michael De Andrade
Tower: Frank Kuntz

Cost: $15 (no envelopes necessary)

Time: Meet at the shed @ 8:00 a.m.,
Travel time from RCAF Wing 404 to Launch Point
is 2+ hours (Hwy 400 – Hwy 11).

Trip Details:
The Green River is a true hidden gem in Ontario’s Lake County (Washago). The route takes us thru cottage country. We will pass marsh areas with beaver lodges and beautiful birds and see the fish swim through the crystal-clear waters. We will visit the Washago Grist Mill (built in 1873) and view a number of small waterfalls and rapids along the way.

Waterway: Green River and Black River
Distance and Time of Paddle: 7-15 km and 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy with some light current.

Type of Route – Loop ( no car shuttle required)

Carpool:
Please make carpooling arrangements before we meet on 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.

What to Bring:
Bring lunch, water, hat, bug spray (deer flies) ,sunscreen, sunglasses, PFD, and proper footwear- no flipflops

Bring a swimsuit and towel to take advantage of the many swimming opportunities along the way or a stop at Washago Centennial Park at the end of the paddle for a swim.

Reserve your Spot:
Please contact Michael De Andrade (519-716-5067 mdeanrade@hotmail.com) to register for this trip.
You will receive a confirmation email 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 as this will affect number of canoes required, partners, etc

Please check your email the morning of the trip in case of cancellation

Tuesday, June 20th

This is a change in the schedule as the Thames river is too low to paddle.

Date: Tues. June 20

Trip: Grand River- Freeport – Moyers Landing
Basic training required.

Leader: Anne Woolner
Tower: Frank Kuntz

Cost:$8 (no envelopes necessary
Time: Meet at the shed @ 8:30am
(Parkside and Weber Street are now open)

Trip Details: On this paddle, we will go past some golf courses and the Pioneer tower. There is a portage on this trip around the Manheim Wier.
Please make car pooling arrangements before we meet on Tuesday 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.

Remember: Bring lunch, water, hat, sunscreen, PFD and proper foot wear- no flip flops

Contact: Anne Woolner (annewoolner@hotmail.com 519-743-2277) to register for this trip. You will receive a confirmation email 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 as this will affect number of canoes required, partners, etc

Please check your email the morning of the trip in case of cancellation

The trip for Thursday June 22 has been changed to June 29

SO YOU WANT TO GO ON A CANOE TRIP? {Here’s how!)

If you missed any of our recent meetings ( Spring Registration Meeting, Orientation/Dryland Training), or haven’t canoed with us in a while, please read this post carefully… (Best viewed on the Blog to see diagrams & illustrations)
You may want to bookmark this page for future reference. More resource links are listed on the bottom of this page

How to sign up for a canoe trip

Information will go out to the membership in the form of a blog post/email notification. Make sure that you read and follow the instructions carefully. Respond to the person listed in the email. DO NOT REPLY to the email notification…..it will go to an unmonitored email box!

Once the canoe season starts, emails will be sent out regularly for both Tuesday and Thursday trips. They will be headed by different logos so you will see the difference (illustrated below). Information will be included that will tell you what you need to know (as seen in diagram below):

Diagram #1 – Information that will be included in blog posts/email notifications including different trip images as indicated in diagram

It is our protocol to call or email the Trip Leader to register for your chosen trip rather than just show up at the shed. This helps the Trip Leader know who is expected so they can organize accordingly in advance of the trip. E.g. confirming towers, car-toppers, etc.

Make sure you have the skill level, training and stamina required for the trip you register for. (If you don’t have intermediate training, don’t sign up for a Tuesday trip that requires intermediate training. If you don’t have the stamina or strength, don’t sign up for an all-day trip)

All members are expected to meet at the shed on canoe day at the designated time to check in, pay fees, choose partners and arrange shuttles.

If you end up not being able to make the trip or are going to be late, let the Trip Leader know asap so the group doesn’t end up waiting for you or is left wondering where you are on trip day.

Show up for the trip with the exact amount for the trip fee (there will be no change available and we don’t do IOUs).

DO NOT make other plans for canoe day. We do not guarantee our return time and will not make alternative plans to accommodate you!

So What Happens Next?

Names of members who register for a trip are noted on a Trip sheet. When you arrive at the shed, you will check in and pay your trip fee.

Trip fees are $8<100 km and $15>100 km. The amount will be noted on the email notification.

If a trip is cancelled, the Trip Leader will notify those who have signed up for the trip that day. Please check your emails before you leave home.

If there are odd numbers, someone will have to use the kayak.

If fewer than 20 people sign up (but more than 13), up to 3 vehicles will need to car top canoes. Anyone who car-tops an OSSCC canoe for this reason will get their trip fee refunded.

Diagram #2 – Newly updated Trip sheet for 2022

If more than 20 people sign up, both trailers will be used and 2 towers will be required.

Non-member guests are allowed at the discretion of the Trip Leader, but it will depend on the skill level required for a particular trip.

Diagram #3 – Non-Members: Conditions and Waiver

Diagram #4 – Emergency Contact Card Sample

- When you come out on a canoe trip, please come prepared! (Read email about the trip carefully)
- Dress for the weather (don’t wear jeans or cotton)
- Make sure you bring a waterproof dry bag with a change of clothes (see here for more details on what to bring). You will be thankful you did should you happen to get wet!
- Help out where you can so we can all enjoy our day! (see here for what to do on canoe day)
- Review your strokes…what they are and what they do (see here)
- If you have a favourite trip, consider leading it. Check out the trip shedule. There are lots of trips that still need trip leaders. If you didn’t make it out to the training, see here for an overview on what is involved and/or contact Anne Woolner at annewoolner@hotmail.com.
- Remember: We are not in a hurry….this isn’t a race…..canoeing is supposed to be fun!

Helpful Links

Trip Schedule
What to Bring on a Canoe Trip
What to do on Canoe Day
Club Handbook & Rules – lots of good information in this book!
Towing/Mileage Expense Form – For the towers!
Past Trip Videos
Canoeing Terminology – Do you know what a painter is? {Hint: It’s not someone who paints}
Welcome Old Salts 2023 Newsletter – in case you missed it!
Training Info
Trip Organizing

Mark Your Calender! {May}

The month of May is a very busy month for our Club! Please mark your calenders. There are many trips that still require trip leaders and towers. Check the trip schedule and let Anne Woolner which trip you would like to lead or tow for: annewoolner@hotmail.com

Monday, May 2nd
Refresher Training- Group 1
For more information, see here.

Tuesday, May 3rd
Grand River, Eramosa River
Cancelled!

Wednesday, May 4th
Refresher Training – Group 2
For more information, see here.

Friday, May 6th
Refresher Training
Rain date (if required)
For more information, see here.

Monday, May 9th
Beginner/Basic River training – Group 1
Day 1 of 2 days
For more information, see here.

Tuesday, May 10th
Grand River – Inverhaugh to West Montrose
Trip Leader: Anne Woolner – annewoolner@hotmail.com
Tower: Frank Kuntz
Details will be posted May 6th

Wednesday, May 11th
Beginner/Basic River training – Group 1
Day 2 of 2 days
For more information, see here.

Thursday, May 12th
Wayne’s Choice
Trip Leader: Wayne Bean – wbean1224@gmail.com
Details will follow

Friday, May 13th
Beginner/Basic River training – Group 1
Rain date (if required)
For more information, see here.

Monday, May 16th
Beginner/Basic River training – Group 2
Day 1 of 2 days
For more information, see here.

Tuesday, May 17th
Grand River – Riverview to Colbeck
Trip Leader(s) required
Details to follow

Wednesday, May 18th
Beginner/Basic River training – Group 2
Day 2 of 2 days
For more information, see here.

Thursday, May 19th
Beginner/Basic River training – Group 2
Rain date (if required)
For more information, see here.

Tuesday, May 24th
Grand River – Waldemar to Belwood
Trip Leader(s) required
Details to follow

Wednesday, May 25th
Intermediate Skills training – Group 1
Day 1 of 2 days
For more information, see here.

Thursday, May 26th
Easy Breezy
Christie Conservation Area
Trip Leader(s) required
Details to follow

Friday, May 27th
Intermediate Skills training – Group 1
Day 2 of 2 days
For more information, see here.

Monday, May 30th
Intermediate Skills training – Group 1
Rain date (if required)
For more information, see here.

Tuesday, May 31st
Speed River to Niska Bridge (Hespeler Pond)
Trip Leader(s) required
Details to follow

Training in June:

Wednesday, June 1st
Intermediate Skills training – Group 2
Day 1 of 2 days
For more information, see here.

Friday, June 3rd
Intermediate Skills training – Group 2
Day 2 of 2 days
For more information, see here.

Monday, June 6th
Intermediate Skills training – Group 2
Rain date (if required)
For more information, see here.

Paradise Lake Fun Day…….if you missed the details in the last newsletter, check your emails or download it here.

In case you missed it: How to Sign up for a Canoe Trip 2022

SO YOU WANT TO GO ON A CANOE TRIP? {Here’s how!)

If you missed any of our recent meetings ( Spring Registration Meeting, Orientation/Dryland Training), or haven’t canoed with us in a while, please read this post carefully….there have been some changes you need to know about if you plan on canoeing this season! (Best viewed on the Blog to see diagrams & illustrations)

What Has Changed?

Our protocols have changed where you are now asked to call or email the Trip Leader to register for your chosen trip rather than just show up at the shed. This helps the Trip Leader know who is expected so they can organize accordingly in advance of the trip. E.g. confirming towers, car-toppers, etc.

Make sure you have the skill level, training and stamina required for the trip you register for. ( If you don’t have intermediate training, don’t sign up for a Tuesday trip that requires intermediate training)

All members are still expected to meet at the shed on canoe day at the designated time to check in, pay fees, choose partners and arrange shuttles.

If you end up not being able to make the trip or are going to be late, let the Trip Leader know asap so the group doesn’t end up waiting for you or is left wondering where you are on trip day.

Show up for the trip with the exact amount for the trip fee (there will be no change available).

DO NOT make other plans for canoe day. We do not guarantee our return time and will not make alternative plans to accommodate you!

So What Happens Next?

Names of members who register for a trip are noted on a Trip sheet. When you arrive at the shed, you will check in and pay your trip fee.

Trip fees are $8<100 km and $12>100 km. The amount will be noted on the email notification.

Trips can be cancelled due to: 1) excessive rain/thunder/lightning, 2) dangerous water/flow rates, 3) if there is no Trip Leader or no Tower, and 4) if not enough people sign up (<8) and no one wants to car top. This will be at the discretion of the Trip Leader. If a trip is cancelled, an email notification will go out either the evening before the trip or the morning of, so check your emails or the blog before you head out to the shed.

If there are odd numbers, someone will have to use the kayak.

If fewer than 20 people sign up (but more than 13), up to 3 vehicles will need to car top canoes. Anyone who car-tops an OSSCC canoe for this reason will get their trip fee refunded.

If more than 20 people sign up, both trailers will be used and 2 towers will be required.

Non-member guests will be allowed this year at the discretion of the Trip Leader, but it will depend on the skill level required for a particular trip.

- When you come out on a canoe trip, please come prepared! (Read email about the trip carefully)
- Dress for the weather (don’t wear jeans or cotton)
- Make sure you bring a waterproof dry bag with a change of clothes (see here for more details on what to bring). You will be thankful you did should you happen to get wet!
- Help out where you can so we can all enjoy our day! (see here for what to do on canoe day)
- Review your strokes…what they are and what they do (see here)
- If you have a favourite trip, consider leading it. Check out the trip shedule. There are lots of trips that still need trip leaders. If you didn’t make it out to the training, see here for an overview on what is involved and/or contact Anne Woolner at annewoolner@hotmail.com.
- Remember: We are not in a hurry….this isn’t a race…..this is supposed to be fun!

Helpful Links

“EMERGENCY CONTACT” Cards – Do you have one?

****2019 UPDATE***

Although accidents and emergencies are rare, they do happen and we need to be prepared to have the best possible outcome. Therefore, we are strongly encouraging all members to make sure they have a completed Emergency Contact Card on them whenever you are canoeing or on other club activities. (See OLD SALTS SENIORS CANOE CLUB MEMBERSHIP WAIVER)

We are keeping Emergency Contact Cards available at the Wing 404, by our sign-in sheet for our trips. We encourage everyone to have their pertinent information filled out on one of these cards. If any of your information changes, please pick up another card.

These cards should be kept in a waterproof pouch and attached to your pfd, or kept inside your dry bag. It could save your life!

The Emergency Contact Cards will be available throughout the canoe season.

Thank you.

Always carry with you!

Canoe Terminology!

Every year, our canoeing instructor uses canoeing terminology that some of us have never heard of. Wonder what “river left” or “back ferry” means? Check out “Announcements & News! (Membership Content) menu tab: CANOE TERMINOLOGY

Here you will find a collection of canoeing terms that have been collected over the last couple of years and that we may have all heard at one point or another during our canoe training and outings.

This will be a living list, so if you see something that is missing, incorrect or can add a term, please use the comments section below to provide your input.

QUIZ (answers below)

What are “painters”? a) people who paint your house b) mesh that is woven for canoe seats c) rope attached to the bow and stern of canoes

What is a “lilydipper”? a) a slow moving paddler b) the bottom portion of a paddle c) throw bag

What is a “lead boat”? a) a boat filled with lead b) the first boat down the river c) the boat that tips first

ENJOY THE REST OF THE CANOE SEASON…THERE ARE SOME GREAT OUTINGS PLANNED. YOU CAN CHECK out THE SCHEDULE HERE!

Quiz answers:

c) Painters – Line attached to the bow and stern of canoes, used for tying the boat ashore or lining the boat down through rapids. These should not be stored loose and should have no knots that can catch and hang up the canoe. Painters are also useful to grab hold of after a capsize, aiding in boat rescue and recovery, so that you can go paddling again next week.

a) Lilydipper – A dawdling, slow moving paddler. Also the moniker of a dawdling, slow moving Adirondack paddler of some repute.

b) Lead Boat – The first boat down the river in a trip. Hopefully this is someone who knows the river.

Safety on The Water! Paddle & Whistle Signals

Canoe safety is very important to the OSSCC which is why we insist every member take basic canoe training to assess skill levels and ensure members don’t go on excursions beyond their skillset and comfort zone.

That said, our canoe schedule has trips that accommodate everyone’s ability from our gentle “Easy Breezy” paddles on area lakes and rivers, to our more challenging trips on moving water. You can check our schedule on either the blog or on the web site to check out which trips you wish to go on. Mark your calendars and watch your emails if the weather looks dicey on trip day!

Whichever trip you go on, it is important to be aware of both whistle and visual safety signals.

Be safe and have fun! Check out these posts before going out on the water:

Did You Forget Something? What to Bring on a Canoe Excursion

Check List for a Fun Day on the Water!

Remember not to schedule anything else on the same day as our canoe trips as we can’t guarantee when we will be back!