You don’t have to be heading out to the open sea in your kayak to need to understand your responsibilities under the law. Ignorance is not an alibi, and anyone who sells boats of any kind should educate their customers about the additional gear that they MUST buy when purchasing a kayak or any other watercraft. Here’s the scenario: You’re out kayaking on Lake Ontario, enjoying a relaxing day paddling along the shoreline. As you and your partner chat about the weather, an OPP patrol boat approaches and the officer asks you to produce your mandatory safety gear…

Do you know what you need, where it is, and how it works? The fine in Ontario for not carrying the appropriate safety items has gone up to a maximum of $750.00, depending on the specifics! The regulations are set by Transport Canada and enforced by the Canadian Coast Guard and provincial police marine units. The laws are different in different countries (but they are IDENTICAL across Canada), and you should be aware of the regulations specific to the places you are paddling. It’s important to note that while the safety gear listed below is mandated by government regulations, this gear can and does save multiple lives every year. It should be regarded as important and necessary to your safe and enjoyable paddling experience. It may be tempting to cut corners and purchase the bare minimum and least expensive “legal” gear you can find, but this can be a disservice to yourself, your families and the rescue services that may have to come looking for you one day. 97% of all marine fatalities involve victims who are not wearing a PFD. This is a fact. Your PFD floats, you do not. Buy one that fi ts properly and wear it! Here at Grand River Kayak, we always paddle with more than the bare minimum, and there are other rescue and safety devices not on this list that we have found to be invaluable; paddle floats, rescue stirrups and towing devices. While there are no regulations regarding helmets, they should be considered mandatory in any rough water (whitewater, surf, rock gardening) situations. As kayakers, guides and instructors with more than 15 years’ experience, we can help you select the most appropriate safety gear for your needs, intended paddling conditions and budget. Talk to us about the options available. We have attempted to interpret the Coast Guard Regulations as they apply to human-powered personal watercraft. Original text taken from the Transport Canada Sea Kayak Safety Guide. For all kayaks, canoes and SUP’s* under 18 feet in length :

1. Coast Guard approved PFD
2. Paddle or appropriate propulsion device
3. Sound signalling device
4. Bailing Device
5. 15m (50 feet) of buoyant heaving line
6. A waterproof white light *(in low light or low visibility conditions) 

For kayaks, canoes and SUP’s* over 18 feet : All of the above requirements PLUS :
7. Six (6) Canadian-approved flares of Type A (Rocket Parachute), B (Multi-Star) or C (Hand) Note: Flares are not required for a pleasure craft that is operating on a river, canal or lake in which it can never be more than one (1) nautical mile (1.85 km) from shore
8. One waterproof flashlight

Interpretations : 1. A personal flotation device or lifejacket carried on board a human-powered pleasure craft operated in whitewater must be inherently buoyant. This would seem to indicate that self-inflating vests are not permitted for kayaks, canoes, or SUP’s* used in whitewater conditions.
2. A bailer or manual bilge pump is not required for a pleasure craft that cannot hold enough water to make it capsize or a pleasure craft that has watertight compartments that are sealed and not readily accessible. Sit-on-Top kayaks that cannot become swamped, and SUP’s* would be exempt from carrying a bailing device.
3. Navigation lights are only required if the pleasure craft is operated after sunset, before sunrise, or in periods of restricted visibility (fog, falling snow, etc.). For a human-powered vessel, this requirement can be met with a watertight flashlight. Keep in mind that the point of a light is to make sure YOU are visible to OTHERS in low light or low visibility conditions, not the other way around. The downside to a flashlight is that it puts the onus on YOU to turn it on and signal your presence when you feel it is necessary. This involves putting your paddle down, etc. We highly recommend a combination of head lamp and a mounted marker light that is turned on and left on after dark. A lightstick or small LED light mounted to your PFD is also an excellent idea. Remember, YOU benefit the most from being visible in the dark.    
4. Pleasure craft less than 12m (39’) in length need a sound-signalling device if they are not fitted with a sound-signalling appliance. The sound-signalling device can be a pealess whistle, compressed gas horn or an electric horn. “ We recommend that you wear a whistle on your PFD. It’s quick, accessible, and doesn’t require instructions to make it work!

You can buy simple “Marine Safety Kits” which generally consist of 50 feet of rope, a whistle, and a waterproof flashlight, contained in a plastic bucket of some form. The bucket IS your bailing device, and might be practical for canoes, but the smaller cockpit opening on many kayaks makes bailing with a bucket tough work. Feel free to ask us, and we’ll be happy to compare the quality and practicality of safety gear for your specific boat and paddling plans. *SUP’s (Stand Up Paddleboards) : the regulations have not been formally set for these relatively new (in Canada, at least) watercraft. Until formal regulations are released, we are treating SUP’s the same as kayaks. Probably SUP’s will not require quite as much gear, and there is a movement out there to consider the board itself as an acceptable form of floatation provided the paddler is wearing a properly fitted leash, but this hasn’t been decided yet.

Don’t wait until you’re in the water to find out what gear you need!   

Questions Regarding Pleasure Craft Licenses Do I need proof of competency to operate a non-powered pleasure craft?No. The “Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations” only apply to pleasure craft fitted with a motor.
Do I need proof of competency to paddle a pleasure craft fitted with a motor and the motor is turned off?Yes. Do I need proof of competency to operate a sailboat? You need proof of competency if the sailboat is fitted with an auxiliary motor, even when under sail.

Good Advice from Transport Canada : Make sure you are seen on the water. Even in bright, calm conditions a kayak can be nearly invisible. It is especially difficult for power-driven vessel and large vessel operators riding high in the water to see kayaks. Choose bright colours such as red, yellow or orange for your flotation device and kayak. Also, remember to keep signalling devices within hand’s reach in case of emergency.

Sea kayakers should be aware of their environment (water temperatures, tides, currents, wind and maritime traffic).

What’s the most important thing in a Hurricane kayak? Answer ― It’s you.

Our latest Brand Spotlight is on a relatively new brand for us, although the company has been around since 1998

Hurricane Kayaks from Warsaw, NC has been making lightweight, thermoformed kayaks for almost two decades.
They manufacture a complete line of recreational, day touring, touring, sit-on-top and fishing kayaks from Trylon, a type of ABS plastic that is stiffer and lighter than polyethylene plastic, and more durable and less expensive than composite kayaks – the best of both worlds, and more environmentally-friendly than other construction methods, too!

We happen to think that their approach to the paddlesports industry and their philosophies as a company match ours as well.
The priority should be on creating an extraordinary experience for the customer, not making and selling boats that maximize the bottom line.
It is possible, and Hurricane Kayaks is one of those rare companies that proves it!

A Conversation That Turned Into A Company

It’s true – the best ideas have simple beginnings – and the idea for Hurricane Kayaks started, quite simply, with an informal conversation between a small group of paddling veterans in 1998. The more they talked that evening, the more they realized that the big boys in the kayak industry had lost sight of somebody pretty important . . . the person holding the paddle. They were taking the fun out of getting on the water. So they decided to do something about it.

They set a new goal – to consistently give their customers a superior paddling experience – and they did it by creating a new kind of kayak, one that was thermoformed, not roto-molded. By thermoforming their boats, they’re able to create innovative designs with highly engineered resins – boats that perform like composites but at a fraction of the cost. Hurricane Kayaks are lighter, stiffer, more attractive, and – best of all – they’re fun to paddle.

“Our lives intertwine with kayaking every single day. We think we have the best jobs in the world. We’re able to take something we’re passionate about and pass it on. If you don’t have fun with our boats, we haven’t done our job, but since 1998, the fun just keeps coming . . . and it’s called a Hurricane.”

NEW FOR 2015, Hurricane Kayaks introduced the Sojourn series of Day Touring Kayaks in 3 lengths, available with or without Smart-Track rudder system.
In addition to the Sojourn series, we also decided to bring in the Tracer 165 Performance Touring kayak, and the Skimmer 140 Angler fishing kayak this year.
If you are in the market for a sit-on-top fishing kayak, and you’ve been looking at the 70+ pound weight of most of the plastic kayaks out there, you owe it to yourself to check out the amazing 55 lb. Skimmer 140 – that’s a FOURTEEN FOOT fishing kayak for well under 60 pounds! We’re not joking – AND, it’s stunning!! It’s not just unbelievably lightweight, it’s totally outfitted for even the most demanding kayak angler – anchor, anchor trolley, Yak Attack rails, Yak Attack Zooka Tube with ball mount, plus the option to have it with or without a factory installed rudder system! WOW!

When Hurricane Kayaks claims to be the leader in lightweight, they’re not kidding. How’s this for an impressive set of stats? 

The Sojourn Series is available in 3 sizes:
Sojourn 126 weighs 43 lbs.
Sojourn 135 weighs 45 lbs.
Sojourn 146 weighs 47 lbs.
Yes, you read that right! Pick your size, all 3 are under 50 lbs. The Sojourn 126 is particularly well-suited to smaller paddlers, at a size and weight that you can actually lift on and off the car with EASE! These are some of the nicest day touring kayaks we’ve ever seen or paddled, and THAT says a lot!

Still not convinced? Come on in and see these incredible kayaks for yourself!! 

From the 2015 Hurricane Kayaks Catalogue:
“Perfect Storm. Once upon a time, we brought a lot of good things together under one roof ― a century’s worth of kayak experience, a hightech material, innovative manufacturing techniques, and a desire to make fun on the water a priority ― and out of this perfect storm came a Hurricane. Hurricane kayaks are made differently. We use Trylon and a unique thermo-molding process to produce kayaks that perform and look like composites at a fraction of the cost. Now that the Hurricanes have arrived, the days of paying big bucks for a beautiful high performance kayak are over. In addition to being light on your wallet, Hurricane kayaks are just plain light. Our boats weigh 10-15 pounds less than comparable boats in the same category, and a lighter boat means less hassle getting it off the racks and to the water, more efficient paddling, and more fun. It’s pretty simple, your job is to have a good time paddling a Hurricane, while ours is to make sure that happens.We discovered it the day our first boat came off the line ― put all the right things together in one place, you get a perfect storm, and you can call this one a Hurricane.”

Some of the Advantages of Trylon:

Lightweight. Using Trylon means our boats weigh 10-15 pounds less than comparable kayaks,  Which translates into less time wrestling with your boat and more time paddling it. That’s especially good news for smaller paddlers who don’t need a weight belt to get a Hurricane from their car to the water’s edge.

Rigid. Trylon gives Hurricane kayaks rigidity, and rigidity means less flex, while less flex means more efficiency when moving through the water.

No Warping. Because of Trylon, a Hurricane hull retains its shape without warping or oil canning.

Less Friction. Trylon reduces water surface friction on the hull and increases glide, which means when you take a stroke with your paddle, you will break into a smile.

Very Little Maintenance. You don’t need a degree in industrial engineering to keep a Hurricane hull looking good. In most cases, if you need a repair, you can make it easily using adhesives available at the local hardware store.

Gorgeous. A Hurricane will always look good, as it has a high-luster appearance that won’t fade or turn brittle in the sun . . . and, by mere association, you’ll look good paddling it.

Shopping for your first kayak?

Doing lots of research, reading lots of reviews, and watching lots of videos? Stuck inside while the snow blows outside your window, browsing the endless details on the web?
Can I give you a piece of advice? Stop. That’s right. Just stop.

You can literally drive yourself crazy with all of the information out there. And you know what? Most of it doesn’t matter, especially to the first-time buyer.

I say that, because in my experience until you have paddled for a while, you don’t really know what you’re looking for. Sure, it’s important to buy a kayak that suits your intended purpose (you wouldn’t buy a fibreglass sea kayak to run whitewater rivers) and it’s important to get a boat that physically fits you properly and will be comfortable for the length of time you’re planning to paddle each time you go out. But….that’s basically it. Really.

We’ve been selling kayaks for almost 10 years, and in that decade we’ve had every customer you can imagine, from the anal-retentive, specification-memorizing, constantly-comparing perfectionist who will NEVER find a boat they are truly satisfied with – to the “I don’t care, I just wanna paddle” folks. Frankly, the latter are the best customers. Not because they’re easy to sell a boat to, per se. Mostly because they just want to get out on the water and experience kayaking. They know that they don’t know what they’re looking for.

And that’s what it’s all about. You have to start somewhere, and if you overthink it, you might not ever get started. If you’re buying your second (or third) kayak and have some hours in the seat, you’re in a better position to judge the things that work for you, and have an idea of the things that don’t. New paddlers don’t have that luxury.
I’m not suggesting you sell yourself short, either. This is where the guidance and expertise of a good paddle shop comes in. We can help you make sense of some of the noise.

Don’t know the difference between a skeg and a rudder? Do terms like “chine, rocker, cross section” leave you baffled? Not sure whether plastic or composite is best? What’s the best length of kayak?
These things will be dictated by your intended use of the kayak, and I firmly believe that unless your first boat is intended to be a high-performance touring boat to be used in fairly demanding conditions, most of those design features are beside the point.

The 3 most important considerations to help staff guide you to the right selection of kayaks are:
1) Where, when and how often do you plan to paddle
2) Your physical height, weight, shoe size, leg length, etc
3) Your budget

Keep in mind that comfort (like aesthetics)is a subjective thing, but most boats will have some physical limitations, and although some of those limitations can be deciphered from the specifications, there is NO SUBSTITUTE for actually sitting in a kayak, and test paddling, to verify whether it will be comfortable for the individual paddling it. Remember, when you read that a boat is designed for “small paddlers” or “large paddlers” these are, in most cases, generalizations. I have seen large paddlers squeeze into boats I would not necessarily have thought to recommend, and paddle off as happy as you please. There are no hard and fact rules.

Do your homework, but don’t get hung up on the numbers. Know what type of paddling you are planning to do, at least to start. Don’t think that just because all you’re interested in right now is floating around at the cottage and watching the birds, that your interests won’t necessarily change or grow as you gain more experience. When I think back on the first kayak I ever owned, it’s hard to believe that it would have ever kept up to the kind of paddling I do now. Who knows, you might find that you need more than one kayak to enjoy multiple aspects of the sports.

The important thing is to get out there and get started. A good quality, good value, comfortable kayak that suits your needs and fits well will be the biggest favour you can do yourself. Sometimes, the decision gets made based on the look and design of a kayak. There’s nothing wrong with that, provided that the kayak also meets the 3 criteria above. The best looking kayak in the world is nothing more than an expensive roof rack ornament, or garage wall decorations, if you’re not happy paddling it.

Caller: Hi, I’m looking for a kayak
Me: Sure. How can I help you? What are you looking for?
Caller: Do you have anything red?

As Spring 2020 gets rolling, and paddling season is upon us – Happy Kayak Hunting!
Let us know if we can do anything to help you in your search!

Ed & Tanya Sullivan
Grand River Kayak

We started this company with a small fleet of Old Town “Dirigo 106″ kayaks, and the model has been a constant mainstay in our rental and touring operations for nearly 10 years. That says a lot about how we feel about these boats. Models come and models go. Rental fleets tend be abusive on boats and gear. We’ve had certain boats in our rental fleet that didn’t last the season…we don’t use those models in our rental fleet anymore. The Dirigo 106, and by extension the entire Dirigo Family, has stood the test of time. And, they’re a great value to the consumer, too!

Why do we like them?

For starters, the Dirigo 106 is suitable for just about anyone.
It is wide enough to be stable for beginners, has a large enough cockpit opening to easily accommodate most paddlers, without being restrictive or overly-large. The Stabilform hull design coupled with an integrated keel ensures that the Dirigo tracks well for a kayak it’s length. The seating is comfortable. There aren’t a lot of fancy, unnecessary bells and whistles on this boat. That also means there’s very little to wrong, break, or malfunction about these kayaks. There’s enough dry storage in the rear hatch, combined with bungee cables on the front deck to store gear for a day trip. The boat weighs a reasonable 42 lbs, and has a maximum load capacity of 300 lbs.

It’s perfect for the Grand River, other slow moving rivers and creeks, and suitable for calm, sheltered lakes.

And while the Dirigo 106 has been a favourite for years, we’ve also expanding into carrying other members of the Dirigo Family, mainly the Dirigo 120, Dirigo 120 Angler, and the Dirigo Tandem Plus

The Dirigo 120 take the award-winning, popular design of the 106, and adds an extra two feet to the length. This added waterline helps the Dirigo 120 track straighter and go faster than it’s smaller sibling. There’s also a bit more storage in the rear hatch of the 120.
The Dirigo 120 weighs in at 50 lbs, and adds an extra 50 lbs to the capacity over the 106, for a maximum load of 350 lbs.

The Dirigo 120 also comes in an Angler version, for those looking for a sit-inside kayak fishing option. It comes with all the standard features of the recreational version, plus it adds two flush-mount rod holders, an anchor trolley system, one swivel rod holder, and NEW for 2014 this model comes in a cool camo pattern (not as shown in the photos). The Angler options add an insignificant 2 lbs to the weight of the kayak.

The last member of our Dirigo Family, is the totally family-oriented tandem, the Dirigo Tandem Plus.
The tandem version takes all the features that make the Dirigo series such fantastic kayaks, and builds them into a kayak made for 2 (and a half*) paddlers! The Dirigo Tandem Plus features a breakthrough tandem design with two non-confining cockpit openings. In addition, you can bring along a third smaller passenger* in the middle jump seat. The jump seat is removable.
And, if that’s not enough versatility for you, move the stern seat forward to allow for solo paddling. Lots of recreational tandems on the market make this claim. We’ve put it to the test ourselves and were pleasantly surprised by well the Dirigo Tandem Plus paddled solo.
Equipped with easy-to-access storage and a Click Seal Hatch with bulkhead, this tandem kayak has everything you need for family fun on the water! The Tandem weighs 72 lbs, and has a maximum carrying capacity of 475 lbs.

Grand River Kayak’s territory covers the length of the Grand River as it flows through Haldimand County, from Caledonia (launch # 25) in the north, to Lake Erie (launch # 32). We have YEARS of experience paddling this stretch of the Grand River. We are here to assist, whether you need a shuttle for your own kayak, canoe or SUP, or need a rental, or a guided trip. Your safety, and enjoyment of the Grand River, are our primary concerns.

Courtesy of the Grand River Conservation Authority.

This is a list of major access and pull-out points on the Grand. In addition, many bridge crossings on the Grand have road allowances on either side, which permit public access to the river.

Please respect private property while accessing the river. Be careful on steep or slippery banks. River conditions vary and may change, sometimes suddenly. Man-made obstacles, obstructions, alterations, or new construction on or near the river may also change or affect river conditions.
Remember that SAFETY is a personal responsibility.
More information on these access points is available in the book Paddling the Grand River which includes map locations for each one. 

1) Belwood Village
Follow Wellington County Road 26 to Wellington County Road 19 in Belwood. Turn west on County Road 19 and access the lake from a Conservation Authority property downstream of the bridge on the right-hand bank (entry fee).
2) Belwood Lake Conservation Area
You can enter through the main gate of the Belwood Lake Conservation Area (entry fee), just off the Fergus-Orangeville Road (Wellington County Rd. 18). Access to the reservoir is upstream of the Shand Dam. You can also access the river from below the dam, off the park service road leading to the swimming area.
3) Elora Gorge Conservation Area (camping)
You enter the Elora Gorge Conservation Area from Wellington County Road 21 and access the river from the low-level bridge at the downstream end of the park (entry and camping fee). 
4) Downstream of Inverhaugh at Wilson’s Flats
You can enter and pull out at Pilkington Eighth Line Rd. EW, approximately 2 kilometres downriver of Inverhaugh off Wellington Country Road 21. If you are canoeing or kayaking, this is the first bridge downstream of the Elora Gorge Conservation Area. Stick to the main channel.
5) West Montrose
Immediately downstream of the covered bridge on the left bank, off Rivers Edge Drive. Nearby Letson Park provides parking (day use only).
6) Winterbourne
Turn west off Regional Road 23, onto Woolwich Township Road 48 (Peel St.) near the Winterbourne Christian School. You can access the river from the left bank on the downstream side of the old iron bridge.
7) Conestogo Village
Below the junction of the Conestogo River and the Grand River at a low bank area on the left off Waterloo Regional Road 17. This is about 1.0 kilometre west of the junction with Regional Road 23. The access point is directly under the hydro tower corridor over the river, on the left bank 0.8 kilometre downstream of the bridge over the Grand in Conestogo.
8) Waterloo – Kaufman’s Flats
The entrance to the Flats is east off University Avenue East, just north of Lexington Road in Waterloo. It is about 200 metres down the hill from University Avenue East. Park beside the river at the Claude Dubrick Trailway – Walter Bean Trail parking lot.
9) Kitchener – Bridgeport
Turn in to the first parking lot entrance to the Joe Thompson Sportsfield at the east end (left bank) of the Bridge St. bridge across the Grand in Kitchener (Bridgeport). Walk up the ramp at the west end of the lot onto the flood protection dike. Walk a few metres upstream on the dike and take the left fork down to the river, and put in to the river at the footing of the bridge.
10) Kitchener – Bingemans (camping)
Bingemans is on the eastern edge of Kitchener at 425 Bingemans Centre Drive, just off Victoria Street (Hwy. 7). River access is on the right bank behind the Embassy Room building. Pull out from the river 30 minutes downstream of the Bridgeport bridge on the right bank immediately downriver of the trailers along the river (camping fee and no launch fee). If you see the Victoria St. (Hwy. 7) bridge, you have paddled too far.
11) Kitchener – Stanley Park
The entrance to the parking lot is on Shirley Drive, just north of Highway 7/Victoria Street, on the right bank, immediately before Highway 7 crosses the Grand River in Breslau. It is necessary to portage around two small ponds to reach the river.
12) Kitchener – Freeport
Schneider Park is on the west side of King St. E. across from Freeport Hospital downstream of the old Hwy. 8 or King St. E. bow string bridge.
13) Cambridge (Blair) – Moyer’s Blair Landing
Off Fountain Street just downstream of Highway 401 at Moyer’s Blair Landing. The landing is 200 metres downstream of the Fountain St. bridge on the left side.
14) Cambridge (Galt) – Riverbluffs Park
From George Sreet on the right bank approximately 100 metres upstream of the railway bridge, there is a boat ramp at the Cambridge Rowing Club / Ancient Mariners Canoe Club landing for easy pull-out to end a canoe or kayak trip. If your trip extends beyond Cambridge, you must portage across Park Hill Road and put in downstream of the Parkhill Dam. Trips beginning in Cambridge should not start here, but rather at the GTO/Rail-Trail access.
15) Cambridge (Galt) – Cambridge to Paris Rail-Trail
Many canoeists and kayakers use the access downstream of the Petro Canada gas station on the left or east bank off Highway 24 (Water St.) north of Myers Road at the south end of Cambridge. This is also the northern trail head of the Cambridge to Paris Rail-Trail.
16) Glen Morris – Eric Thomlinson Access Ramp
There is a Rail-Trail parking lot at the end of Forbes Street, two blocks south of the Glen View General Store. Access is gained by crossing the Rail-Trail and taking the new path to the river. For pull-out at this location, after paddling under the Glen Morris bridge, take the right channel past the island and immediately cut across the river to the left bank. The left channel has been impassable at times in the past. 
17) Paris – Penman’s Dam
Pull out immediately underneath the railway bridge on the east or left bank, but be careful climbing the steep stairs up to Willow Street. Immediately downstream is a dangerous low head dam and cement walls. Access is regained by means of the canoe ramp extending down the dike below the dam on the left side of the river. Stay clear of the “boil” or dangerous undertow below the dam.
18) Paris – Bean Park
For trips starting in Paris, there is more parking and less crowding if you launch at Bean Park, located on the right bank off Race Street in the area of town downstream of the Dundas St. high-level bridge.
19) Brantford – Brant Conservation Area (camping)
Brant Conservation Area is on Jennings Road off Highway 53 on the west side of Brantford. It is the first overnight stop on trips starting from Cambridge. Pull out on the right side above the Wilkes Dam and contact the Area Superintendent for a camping site (entry and camping fee). For trips starting here, there is a new launching area built in 2003 within the park that will eliminate portaging Wilkes Dam.
20) Brantford – Ballantyne Drive
Turn right just after the intersection of Ballantyne Drive and Spalding Drive to the flats along the river. To pull out here, look for a clearing on the right bank and a gravel parking area and road leading up to Ballantyne Drive.
21) Brantford – Gilkison’s Flats
On the west or right bank off Gilkison Street, downstream of the BSAR bridge.
22) Brantford – Cockshutt Bridge
Off Cockshutt Road (Erie Ave.) downstream of the Cockshutt bridge, on the left or north bank of the river.
23) Ohsweken – Chiefswood Tent and Trailer Park (camping)
Between Onondaga and Middleport, turn from Highway 54 onto Chiefswood Road toward Ohsweken. Access to the river is on the left or east bank on the upstream side of the bridge, or downstream at Chiefswood Tent and Trailer Park (admission fee).
24) North of Caledonia – Harrison’s Landing or LaFortune Park
On the left or east bank, just off Highway 54, approximately 2 kilometres downstream of Big Creek. (Launching and/or parking fees may apply and parking is day use only.)
25) Caledonia – Kinsmen Park
Pull out on the left bank above the low head dam or weir, immediately upstream of the railway bridge. From Highway 54 re-enter just below the dam at Kinsmen Park. Stay clear of the “boil” or dangerous undertow below the dam.
26) York – York Park in the village of York
Off Highway 54, just downstream of the York bridge on the left or east bank. The channel running through the park is of historical interest. At one time the channel led to a lift lock, and a dam of the Grand River Navigation Company was situated where the present bridge crossing now stands. Store nearby.
27) Cayuga – Bob Baigent Park
Gain access in Cayuga downstream of the Hwy. 3 bridge on the east or left bank, at the Bob Baigent Memorial Park public boat ramp off Ouse Street. “Ouse” was an early English name for the Grand River. Stores nearby.
28) Dunnville – Byng Island Conservation Area (camping)
Look for the campground on the right side of the river across from Dunnville. Take the first of three channels into the Conservation Area (admission and camping fee, no launch fee). There is a low head dam or weir on each of these channels. To continue downriver from the park, follow the main channel of Sulphur Creek in the Conservation Area back to the Grand to avoid the Dunnville Dam. For road access to Byng, take Rainham Road in Dunnville to Haldimand County Road 20.
29) Dunnville – Wingfield Park
There is a boat launch at Wingfield Park on Main Street, upriver of the Dunnville Dam on the left (town side) of the river.
30) Dunnville – Grand Island Bar-B-Q
The Grand Island Bar-B-Q and boat launch is on the south side of Dover Road at the west end of the bridge across the Grand.  *NOTE – THIS LAUNCH IS NOW CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
31) Dunnville – Dunnville Boat Club
The Dunnville Boat Club and boat launch is on Hydro Street, on the left side of the river immediately downstream of the Dunnville Dam (launch fee).
32) Port Maitland at Lake Erie
At the end of your trip, there is an easy pull-out, on the right bank off The Esplanade Road, at the boat ramp just before the concrete break walls, where the Grand River enters Lake Erie. You can also paddle around the light station and put ashore to the west of the light station.

We’ve just gotten official word that “Quiet Nature’s Grand Adventure”, a six day, 250 km canoe trip down the length of the Grand River, will finish their journey at the Southcoast Paddlesports Symposium on Sunday, May 6th. Come and meet Derek Lippert and JP Bartle at the finish line! See the entire press release with more info below.

In this first edition of “Quiet Natureâ€s Grand Adventure”, Derek Lippert and JP Bartle, of Ayr based landscape firm Quiet Nature Ltd., are canoeing the entire Grand River in order to raise money for the Grand River Conservation Foundation.

Beginning April 30, 2012 in Waldemar, these explorers will be on the river night and day until they finish their journey six days later, on May 6^th at Port Maitland. Through daily updates and online photo journals over the course of their trip, Derek and JP hope to increase awareness of watershed-wide environmental issues while raising funds for the Grand River Conservation Authorityâ€s tree planting and outdoor educational activities.

By following “Quiet Natureâ€s Grand Adventure” at www.QuietNatureTour.ca you can view the expeditionâ€s progress, learn about historical landmark information, and listen to live updates from the explorers. Media events are planned for various legs of the journey. ‘Canoeing the Grand†will be hosting a BBQ and GRCF ‘Donation Station†at their Kitchener facility on May 1^st at 5pm. The ‘Outfitters Launch†in Brantfordâ€s Brant Park will be the site of an event on May 3^rd at noon, and the journey wraps up in Dunville at 12:00pm on May 6^th, coinciding with the Southcoast Paddlesports Symposium.

About Derek Lippert – an avid outdoorsman with a background in ecology and forest management, Lippert started Quiet Nature Ltd. in 1999 with a focus on lawn alternative and native plant landscapes.  Since that time the company has evolved to offer a full suite of sustainable landscape solutions, including ecological restoration and zero emission landscape maintenance. It has also been a mission of Derekâ€s to educate others about environmental issues and the need to protect and restore natural spaces.

In 2010 Norm Hann paddled the 400km proposed tanker route. In 2011, Norm will lead an evolving posse of athletes passionate about both stand up paddleboarding and the environment along the same route. With support from First Nations communities the crew will spend a month paddling the pristine inlets of the Great Bear Rainforest.

Enbridge Inc, a Calgary-based oil and gas company has proposed the construction of a 1,170 km pipeline running from Alberta’s tar sands to Kitimat on British Columbia’s west coast. From here, crude oil would be loaded into super tankers bound for Asia. Before reaching the open ocean, these tankers would first need to pass through some of the most dangerous navigable waters in the world―the narrow inlets of the Great Bear Rainforest.

Long protected by the 1972 Trudeau government moratorium on crude oil tankers plying British Columbia’s north coast, these waters are now facing the risk of oil spill. Potentially, 225 Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) per year would each transport approximately 2 million barrells of oil through the Great Bear Rainforest. In context, today’s supertankers carry ten times the volume of the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Put simply, the pristine marine and terrestrial ecosystems as well as the people of the Great Bear would likely not recover from such an incident.

This issue is perhaps the most important environmental issue in B.C. history. Whats more, a catastrophic oil spill could reach beyond borders and impact much of the Pacific North West coastline.

Visit the official Enbridge website for the Northern Gateway Project here.

For those of you who may not know who Nigel Foster is, or want to know more, we’ve put together a quick profile page to highlight some of his accomplishments and contributions to sea kayaking over his 40-year career.
Nigel is currently the VP of  Research and Development for Point 65N Kayaks of Sweden. His design’s include the Whisky 16 and Doubleshot tandem kayak, built by Point 65N as well as the Shadow, Legend and Silhouette built by Seaward Kayaks and the Rumour manufactured by Current Designs. Overall, Nigel tends to design lively, agile kayaks that perform predictably in rough water, and are fast and manoeuvrable on flat water.

From the Point 65N Website:
“Nigel Foster, one of the worldâ€s most skilled sea kayakers and foremost kayak figures, has become an icon of modern sea kayaking. Nigel is internationally known for his paddling technique, expeditions, instruction, symposium appearances, numerous books and articles and his kayak designs.
Nigel Foster, as both an experienced kayaker and designer, has always created skill-provoking, elegant, responsive and purposeful sea kayaks.” 

In 2008, Nigel became the first sea kayaker ever to be inducted in the International Hall of Fame, which also includes Rowing, Canoeing and Cycling. Other athletes inducted in the International Hall of Fame include cyclist Lance Armstrong. This article contains one of the most complete biographies of this expeditions and accomplishments, click here.
His kayak expedition experience includes:

1977 first kayak circumnavigation of Iceland; 1978 kayak trip from Gander Newfoundland to St Johns; 1979 kayak trip to cross France from the English Channel to the Mediterranean; 1981 solo kayak trip from Iqaluit Baffin Island south, crossing Hudson Strait to Northern Labrador; 2004 two person kayak trip from Kuujjuaq Ungava Bay (N Quebec) around northern Labrador to Nain (described in book “Stepping Stones of Ungava and Labrador”, Outskirts Press, published November 2009).

Nigel is one of a four-man team planning a sea kayak expedition through the Northwest Passage from Inuvik to Baffin Island.
 Here’s a You Tube video of Nigel discussing the design and performance of the Whisky 16

Find out more about Nigel Foster on his website here, or his Facebook page here.