Category: Blog Post

Speed River: Hespeler Pond (aka Hespeler Mill Pond)

EASY PADDLE! Everyone Welcome!

Date: June 26/25
Leader: Anne Woolner
Tower:  Frank Kuntz
Cost: $8 

MEET at the Shed to leave @ 8:30am
TRIP DETAILS: Hespeler Pond, 235 Queen St. East, Cambridge
A 1 ½ hour paddle on flat water past areas of marshland which are homes to cranes, egrets, and herons. After, a short walk to a local pub for lunch is a nice finish to the day.

BRING: PFD, snacks, water, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, rain gear (pants/jacket), dry bag with change of clothing, & proper footwear (closed toe) AND Energency Contact Card—tell your paddling partner where it is!

CONTACT: Please contact Anne Woolner by email or phone, at annewoolner@hotmail.com, 519-7453-2277, to register.
*If you don’t receive confirmation by Wednesday night, contact Anne to ensure you’re on the list.
*If you change your mind, or are unable to paddle, please let Anne know asap as this will affect the number of canoes required, partner, etc.
Please check you email the morning of the trip in case of cancellation.

 

Grand River: Bean Park (Paris) to Brant Conservation Area

Date: Tuesday, June 24/25
Leader: Anne Woolner
Tower: Doug Hoegy

Cost: $8 
Time: Meet at the Shed for departure at 8:30 am sharp!

Trip Details: A 2½ hour paddle with a few rapids, wide river vistas, and a chance to see bald eagles and blue herons.

Carpool: Please make carpooling arrangements before we meet Tuesday morning. If you carpool, please reimburse the driver ($10 would be appropriate for this trip). If you drive in a different car each way, please reimburse both drivers.

Bring: PFD, lunch & snacks, water, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, rain gear (pants/jacket), dry bag with extra clothing, & proper footwear (closed toe) AND Emergency Contact Card—tell your paddling partner where it is!

Contact: Anne Woolner, annewoolner@hotmail.com, 519-743-2277, to register, advising whether you paddle bow or stern.

You will receive a confirmation email. If you haven’t received confirmation by Monday night, contact Anne to confirm you’re 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, partners. etc.

NOTE: Most of the cars will be parked outside the Conservation Area (to save the park fee.) There is adequate parking, but carpooling is encouraged.
You will have to walk from the ‘take-out’ to the parking lot as only the towing vehicle will be at the ‘take-out’.
If you choose to park there, the cost is $6.75.
If anyone has a pass for the Grand River Conservation Area, let Anne know.

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

 

 

 

 

Paddle & Potluck— June 12 (Easy Breezy!)

Date: Thursday, June 12
Trip: Grand River: Freeport to Pat’s trailer for a potluck lunch
Time: Meet at the Shed to leave @ 8:30 am.
Leader: Anne Woolner
Tower: Frank Kuntz
Cost: $8 
Trip Details: EASY BREEZY, FOLLOWED BY POTLUCK.
This trip requires Basic Training but does involve a short portage around the Mannheim Weir. It twists and turns around golf courses and the Pioneer Tower. Our ‘take-out’ is at Pat’s trailer.
People who are not canoeing are welcome to come for the potluck only. Meet in the parking lot at 211 Pioneer Tower Rd at 11:00 am. Pat will let you in.
 
If you are canoeing, bring your food item in a cooler or prepared for transport. Make sure it’s in a vehicle going to Pat’s trailer and staying there, and NOT in the trunk of a vehicle returning drivers to the put-in! When we shuttle to the take out, all of the food & lawn chairs will be deposited at the trailer.
 
Remember to Bring: lawn chair, cutlery-plate-drink(s) potluck item to share after paddle.
 
For the paddle, remember Emergency Contact Card, water, hat, sunscreen, PFD, and proper foot wear- no flip flops or crocs.
 
Register: Please contact Anne Woolner annewoolner@hotmail.com 519-743-2277 to register, advising whether you paddle stern or bow.
You will receive a confirmation email. If you don’t receive confirmation by  Wednesday night, contact Anne to make sure you’re on the list.
If you change your mind, or are unable to make it for some reason, please let Anne know asap as this will affect number of canoes required, partners, etc
 
Pat’s Potluck Information:
I will meet the paddlers at Freeport (the put-in) to lead them to the entrance gate. Everyone is invited! Plan to attend and meet “new and past members”!
DIRECTIONS: If you take the expressway (HWY 8) south from Kitchener towards 401, take the King Street exit towards London.
From King Street, at the lights (Sportsworld Drive is on the left), turn right onto Baxter Place.
Then take a quick right onto Pioneer Tower Road.
Stay on this road until you reach the Pioneer Sportsmans Club at 211 Pioneer Tower Rd, which is on the left after a green area and past some houses.
Pat will meet you at the gate.

Have you registered for Paradise Lake yet?

Camp Ki-Wa-Y

PARADISE LAKE FUN DAY!!!

Register: By May 31,
Send email to Dianne Wagner at  ladydiwagner@hotmail.com

Cost:$35.00 per person
DUE before the event, to guarantee your spot.

Payment:  Paid to: 
Old Salts Seniors Canoe Club (cash, cheque, or E-Transfer)
Send e-transfers to: 
For those wishing to pay for Paradise Lake (or upcoming events) by e-Transfer, the address is treasurer@oldsaltsclub.com

 

With canoe training well underway, it’s time to think about putting those newly acquired skills to use—in a fun way! 

There is STILL time to register for our popular 

Fun Day on Tuesday, June 17, 
9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m. (approx.)

 at Camp Ki-Wa-Y on beautiful Paradise Lake
(west of Waterloo)

Directions to follow.

Start the day on the deck with a continental breakfast of coffee, muffins, and fruit

Amble down to the beautiful private dock where we’ll be fitted out with paddles, partners, & canoes.
Bring your PFD and sunscreen! 

Participate in games on the water and enjoy some free paddling time around this enchanting little lake.

Enjoy a lunch of meatball subs on brioche buns, salads, veggie sticks, and a dessert. Option for vegetarian lunch must be indicated in advance.

*For those who would like to take advantage of the opportunity to swim after lunch, bring bathing suit & a change of clothing.

Reminder: Register by May 31  

 

 

 

 

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.

 
 

Volunteer Week – A little note of Thanks

As Volunteer Week comes to a close.. this little birdie says THANK YOU 

As everyone knows NO club would be successful without those
tireless efforts from dedicated Volunteers.

We know the saying  “Many Hands Make Light Work!” 

Old Salt Canoe Club volunteers spend countless hours to make sure up front, things look amazing, while behind the scenes there are ^8#@ words and chuckles as they try to figure it out!!! 

Stop for a brief moment and join me to  Thank them!!

Every time you receive an email, phone call, blog post, and more,
it came from a volunteer in this club. 
To name a few Committees: the training team, ‘canoe routes searching/planning folks, trip organizers – trip leaders and towers, Social committee, the Membership magician, the clean up crew,  and of course the Board members.

If I have missed a few of you  (oops) 
THANK YOU to you too. 

LET THE SEASON BEGIN!

Our First Trip of the 2025 Season!!!

Date: Tuesday, May 6
Trip: Conestoga River to Kaufman Flats (Grand River)

Leader: Anne Woolner
Tower: Frank Kuntz

Intermediate Training Required for this paddle!

Cost: $8 (no envelopes required)

Meet at the Shed to leave @ 8:30 a.m.

Trip Details: 
This is an interesting paddle, weaving from St. Jacobs, through the countryside, and meeting the Grand River. There are some low areas, rapids, drops, and waves. It is a challenging paddle. This trip may have to be changed if the water flow is too low. 

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

Bring:
lunch, water, hat, sunscreen, PFD, & proper footwear
(NO flipflops or crocs!)
*Emergency Contact Card—and tell your paddling partner where it is!

Register for Trip:
Contact Anne Woolner to register, advising if you paddle stern or bow.
Email: annewoolner@hotmail.com
Phone: 519-743-2277
You will receive an email to confirm your registration.
If you don’t receive a confirmation email by Monday 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

 

 

REMINDER: GUIDED WALKING TOUR DOWNTOWN GALT— still openings!

 
 
 
Discover the Natural and Cultural History of the Grand River in downtown Galt
 
 
WHAT: Historical Walking Tour
 
WHERE: Along the Grand River, a Canadian Heritage River     (1994) between Parkhill Dam and Concession Street Bridge. 
 
WHEN:   Thursday, May 15 (rain date May 22)
 
TIME:  10 a.m. start (approximately 90 minutes duration, followed by lunch)
 
TOUR LEADER: Warren Stauch.
Warren, a lifelong resident of Waterloo Region, is a retired high school Geography teacher who has been heavily involved in the local heritage of Waterloo Region since 1966.  
 
FEE:  $5.00 cash honorarium per person paid to Warren at the start of the walk
 
Of the 20 maximum, there are now 8 openings—available to members until May 2, then to guests.
 
Email Janet Smith janetjanetjanet1960@gmail.com by May 2, to register yourself or with a guest name.
 
Parking and Lunch Details will be sent to registrants.
 
 
Sent from my iPad

Membership List for 2025

Hello members

Attached is the current membership list.
We ask that you do NOT share this list as it contains personal information about our members.
 
 Membership List 
OSSCC ’25 Membership List

Please check: 
1. Spelling of your name and address
2. Are your phone numbers accurate
3. Is your email address correct
If there are changes, please email   info@oldsaltsclub.com