6th Annual RA-Fest 2013!
RA-Fest is our annual gathering of flatwater and whitewater paddlers to share a weekend of paddling, camping and a potluck! Great turnout at the new location (despite the rainy weather). Read More for links to pix and video.
Paddlin` where you want to go - it ain't so hard
Some canoeists wobble and meander all over the lake, frustrated with not being able to go where they want to go. It doesn't have to be. You happily can go where you intend to go... it is easy when you know how.
This series will look at Bow and Stern paddling tips! This first article has ABC's of Stern Paddling... Next articles: Bow Paddling - the real force in the canoe! Plus...Physics and finesse of paddling.
Read more: Going where you intend to go... a series of paddling tips and physics...
Family Completes Cross Canada Paddle
Click here for a CBC story about the ultimate canoe trip.
RACCC Family Camp 2013 - fun, friends...canoeing, archery, camp fires
..... Jacob says: 'The best part of our summer' !
RACCC Family Camp August 9-11, 2013 Report 1
I have an 11 year old son and we participated in the RACCC Family Camp weekend in Gracefield Quebec.
July 27 Weekend Trip to Lac Poisson Blanc 2013
Lac Poisson Blanc. Unusual name for a lake. Unusual lake. Whether or not there actually are whitefish in the lake (and there seems to be some uncertainty about this) the lake is remarkable in many respects. Louis, the trip leader, mentioned at some point during the first day of paddling that the lake is actually a reservoir – it’s man-made – as artificial as a Pillsbury breakfast danish.
But despite concerns about its authenticity, it really did look and feel the part of a canoeing lake. Human beings may have caused this lake to exist, but nature is what causes it to subsist.
Read more: Report of July 27 Weekend Trip to Lac Poisson Blanc.
Modern-day Voyageurs from the RACCC, July 18-21, 2013
Our group of 13 eager, modern day voyageurs arrived at Driftwood Provincial Park on Thursday evening, July 18th to allow the resident mosquitoes a good feed before next morning`s long anticipated meeting with the behemoth, 34 foot `` Montreal`` canoe.
MSR Hubba Tent Recalled
No reports of incidents or injuries - but the moss-grey-green Hubba tent series has been recalled by Health Canada, including the Hubba™ Solo backpacking tent, Hubba Hubba™ 2-person backpacking tent, Mutha Hubba™ 3-person backpacking tent.
More info: http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2013/34775r-eng.php
RACCC paddlers explore the Blanche River 2013
This great little river, only a 40 minute drive from Ottawa, has lots of class III rapids amongst several big drops and mandatory portages.
Joining a trip organized by members of Ottawa's Coureurs de Bois Whitewater Paddling Club (CdB), RACCC paddlers Dan and Jaclin recently explored the Blanche River, a creek near Thurso, QC. See the following video for a summary of the day's events!
Excellent and Cool videos: Paddling and Packing tips!
1. Voyageur Canoes ...paddling tips and what to do if you tip... Dave Woolridge
2. White water Basics ... MITH ... to learn on flat water... Paul and Willa Mason
3. Happy camper Packing Tips - Kevin Callan (my fav!)
4. Dock Landings - demo by Becky M and Reid M - the 'best' !
5. Freestyle Canoeing (American) - Molly Gurian, Karen Black...
6. Canadian Style Canoeing - Charles Burchill
Baie McLaurin June 23 2013
The Baie McLaurin provides everything you could want on a leisurely canoe trip starting with the short drive from Ottawa, the large parking lot and the easy access into the water. Channels to the west provide exploration and bird watching opportunities. A larger channel to the east leads the way to the Ottawa and Blanche rivers.
ICE CREAM post paddling :-) 2013
There is an excellent ice cream shop/factory in Renfew that is a bit hard to find if you don't know where to look. And it's only $3.25 for a two scoops in a waffle cone!
SUP Intro Clinic - Witnessed by the Meech Loons 2013
Two friendly frolicking fishing loons and Meech Lake witnessed 8 adults on SUP boards this past week with really loooooong paddles taking to the water on their feet. Yes, on our feet! Paddling while Standing UP, or simply SUPing. Our Coach/instructor Jodi Bigelow, had us learning how to carry, assemble, launch and mount our SUP boards, from the tail, and take our first few SUP baby steps.
Then the fun started, some wanted to progress directly to the expert level in a single lesson and try some pirouettes but forgot to keep an active paddle
The Latest Journal of Canadian Wilderness Canoeing (Che-Mun) features L&L's adventures:
(download attachment)