Canada

Canoeing on the French River

As a relatively untouched place by modern society, the French River is a great tourist destination for fishermen, paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts. The 110 kilometer river has many established canoeing routes along the historic French River and beautiful Georgian bay.

Let's get started!

We went to Hartey Bay Marina, which is about a 3.5 hour drive north of Toronto. Once you get there, you will need to register at the front office and then they'll redirect you to the dock to get set up. 

From here, it's pretty much a "choose your own adventure." Whether you're here for a one day or a few days, make sure to map out a route to take. You can ask the people working there what route would best suit your needs. Invest in a map if you're heading out for a few days! 

Notes:

  • Canoe rental is $35/day. There's a $10 launch fee and a $10 parking fee. All their canoes are 16 ft Nova Crafts and seat two people (but we seated three). They come with paddles, life jackets and safety equipment. You can visit the site here for other rental options. Try to reserve ahead of time to ensure availability! 
  • Check here for a map of the river and popular routes you can take. 
  • Experience the French River by renting a cottage, go backcountry camping, canoeing, kayaking or fishing! 
  • The current can get pretty strong once the river opens up, so be ready to paddle! 
  • Remember to pack bug spray, sunscreen and tons of water! 

Let's be real here

Canoeing gets pretty tiring after the first few hours. We spent 6 hours out on the water with a lunch break on an island. We also didn't have a map, so we didn't go out too far. But we did end up in a swampy area with tons of wildlife. We ended up seeing a baby bear, which Chechi scared off because she got too excited. Typical. 

Happy Adventuring!

8 Steps on How To Canoe: Killarney Provincial Park Edition

Ever wanted to try canoeing? It's a pretty fun outdoor activity where you can experience the water, feel the breeze in your hair and increase your aerobic fitness, strength and flexibility. Paddling allows you to travel and see sights only accessible by water.

Let's get started! Below is a list of steps on how to canoe:
 

Step 1: Buy or rent a canoe
If you can afford it, buying a canoe is ideal since you can use it on multiple trips. But it can get pretty expensive and you will need a place store it after. So, if you're on a budget like us, opt for renting a canoe at a park. It's pretty affordable and will range between $30-50 depending on whether you're renting for a half day or full day. 

Step 2: Acquire canine companion (optional)
Now this is dependent on your canine companion.

Is your dog well-trained? Will your dog listen? Is your dog calm? If the answer is yes, then you can bring your dog and have an enjoyable time.

If the answer is no, then you could still bring your dog. Just note that you'll have an interesting time. And by interesting, I mean difficult. 

Step 3: Use insect spray
Use the insect spray before starting this activity because large bodies of water are a great mating ground for insects.

Step 4: Gear up! 
Life jacket? 
Paddle?
Canoe?
Swimsuit?
Water shoes?
Sunscreen? 
Hat?
Whistle?
Dry bag?
Emergency bag?

Step 5: Get into the canoe
Position the canoe so it's perpendicular to the shore. It should be half in and half out of the water. The person at the front and middle get in first and the last person pushes the canoe into the water. Once it's in, jump in.

Step 6: Start paddling
Start paddling forward. Sit upright, lean forward and place one hand at the paddle's grip and the other hand in the centre of the shaft. Pull through the water alongside the boat. Remember to paddle on opposite sides of each other. When you're tired, let your canoe mates know so they can switch sides. 

If your sitting at the back, you have the special job of steering the canoe. The canoe will often veer to the left or right. To correct this, paddle on the same side. 

Step 7: Start exploring! 
Are there islands to visit?
Rock formations to see?
Vegetation you want to check out?
Is there a beaver dam?
Is there a waterfall?
Are there more lakes to see?

Step 7: DON'T TIP THE CANOE! 
Make sure all your weight isn't positioned onto one side of the canoe. Our lovely canine companion decided to lean over to the same side as us. This was while we were paddling on the same side. We had to deal with a scared dog while trying to flip the canoe over. 

 If you can, avoid it, especially in deep water. 

Step 8: Landing the canoe
Position the canoe perpendicular to the shore. Slow the speed down because you don't want to damage the canoe. Once it hits the shoreline, get out and pull it further inwards. 

Happy Adventuring!