Our very own Anne Woolner advocates for safe rivers, article is below.
Thank you Anne for being a “safe water” advocate
Category: Safety
Warning: Giant Hogweed is Sprouting!
In the past, we printed a warning about “Giant Hogweed” at the start of our canoeing season. See here. So far this season, we have seen some along the banks of the Nith River.
This year, for those of you who are hiking in rural areas, possibly near rivers and lakes, there is a good reason to watch out for these plants as they start their growing season. This may also be helpful for those of you who have cottages or like to camp near rivers or lakes.
The following warning is being sent out via email to other groups. Since we make many stops along the shoreline on both rivers and lakes during our canoe trips and we may encounter giant hogweed, it seems like a good time to share:
The giant hogweed plants have sprouted. They are presently a good contrast against the background of winter-dead and they a are larger than the other plants around.
Please check your riverside properties from the water edge to a place just above the high water lines from the last seven years.
If you find any, they can be dug with a shovel and turned over so the sun can scorch them. It is only necessary to cut the root off at 4” to 6” below the soil.
Please report any new findings with GPS coordinates and a photo to gianthogweed@rogers.com so that we can map the spread.
More info is available at the Facebook group Giant Hogweed Mitigation Project.
[pdf id=3051]
Warning: Giant Hogweed is Sprouting!
Last year, we printed a warning about “Giant Hogweed” at the start of our canoeing season. See here.
This year, for those of you who are hiking in rural areas, possibly near rivers and lakes, there is a good reason to watch out for these plants as they start their growing season. This may also be helpful for those of you who have cottages or like to camp near rivers or lakes.
The following warning is being sent out via email to other groups. Since we make many stops along the shoreline on both rivers and lakes during our canoe trips and we may encounter giant hogweed, it seems like a good time to share:
The giant hogweed plants have sprouted. They are presently a good contrast against the background of winter-dead and they a are larger than the other plants around.
Please check your riverside properties from the water edge to a place just above the high water lines from the last seven years.
If you find any, they can be dug with a shovel and turned over so the sun can scorch them. It is only necessary to cut the root off at 4” to 6” below the soil.
Please report any new findings with GPS coordinates and a photo to gianthogweed@rogers.com so that we can map the spread.
More info is available at the Facebook group Giant Hogweed Mitigation Project.
Pass this reminder on to all of your riverside neighbours.
Together we can keep the shorelines welcoming.
[pdf id=3051]
Warning: Giant Hogweed is Sprouting! #3
Last year, we printed a warning about “Giant Hogweed” at the start of our canoeing season. See here.
This year, for those of you who are hiking in rural areas, possibly near rivers and lakes, there is a good reason to watch out for these plants as they start their growing season. This may also be helpful for those of you who have cottages or like to camp near rivers or lakes.
The following warning is being sent out via email to other groups. Since we make many stops along the shoreline on both rivers and lakes during our canoe trips and we may encounter giant hogweed, it seems like a good time to share:
The giant hogweed plants have sprouted. They are presently a good contrast against the background of winter-dead and they a are larger than the other plants around.
Please check your riverside properties from the water edge to a place just above the high water lines from the last seven years.
If you find any, they can be dug with a shovel and turned over so the sun can scorch them. It is only necessary to cut the root off at 4” to 6” below the soil.
Please report any new findings with GPS coordinates and a photo to gianthogweed@rogers.com so that we can map the spread.
More info is available at the Facebook group Giant Hogweed Mitigation Project.
Pass this reminder on to all of your riverside neighbours.
Together we can keep the shorelines welcoming.
[pdf id=3051]
“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!
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!
Canoeing the Grand River Safely
There is a wonderful article about river flows on the Grand River and when it is safe to canoe or kayak. It also shows which guidelines are used by the Ancient Mariners.
You can find the link here.