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travel / adventure / guides / summer 2004
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Imagine gliding over crystalline blue water, exploring the nooks
and crannies of a rocky, island-strewn coast or observing waterfowl in a coastal backwater. These are the pleasures of the paddler,
and some of the country's premier destinations are found in the Great Lakes — all within a day's drive of central Canada's urban
centres.
The best way to explore these vast inland lakes is aboard a kayak. Stable and wide, recreational kayaks are well suited for
sheltered waters and
are popular for photography and wildlife watching. Sea kayaks, on the other hand, are long, fast and narrow and are best suited
for paddling in the
exposed waters of the Great Lakes. These craft handle wind and waves and are able to tote supplies for multi-day tours.
Constructed of durable plastic
or sleek composites, they feature several watertight storage compartments and are available in single or tandem designs.
Remember: try before you buy.
Consider your style of trip, seek expert advice, and visit a rental facility or sign up with an outfitter to help you choose
a kayak suited to extended touring.
You'll be glad you did. From the Superior's wild Pukaskwa coast and Huron's granite archipelago to the sheltered waters of Erie's Pelee ponds and Ontario's
historic Thousand Islands, the Great Lakes offer world-class sea kayaking in Canada's heartland.
Pukaskwa National Park | North Channel |
Point Pelee National Park |
Thousand Islands Water Trail
Pukaskwa National Park, Lake Superior
Inspired by Superior's precipitous cliffs, pristine beaches, clear water and abundant wildlife, Pukaskwa National Park's motto is "The Wild Shore of an
Inland Sea." Paddling the full 180 kilometres of the Pukaskwa coast - from its Hattie Cove Visitor Centre south to Wawa - in 8 to 12 days is the pièce
de résistance for experienced Great Lakes sea kayakers. With no intermediate road access, this is Lake Superior's most isolated shore. Shorter trips
involve doubling back or hiring a boat shuttle for a one-way trip. Superior's temperament is fickle: paddlers should expect to be windbound one in four
days. On layover days, Pukaskwa's Coastal Hiking Trail provides a fine diversion from paddling. With several outfitters providing all-inclusive tours,
less experienced paddlers can enjoy Pukaskwa in style.
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Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposiums
Interested in kayaking but not sure where to begin? Want to take your skills to the next level? Attend a sea kayak symposium. On weekends throughout
the spring and early summer, scenic Great Lakes paddling destinations host symposiums, featuring skill workshops, equipment demos
and entertainment at reasonable, all-inclusive prices. Beginner to expert paddlers can learn and refine their skills while enjoying the easygoing
symposium atmosphere.
Dozens of outfitters
in the Paddling Ontario Alliance can provide all the necessities to explore the region. Learn more when you visit www.paddlingontario.com
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North Channel, Lake Huron
For paddlers seeking the best of Georgian Bay - granite islands, windswept pines and sheltered waters - without cottage-country crowds, Lake Huron's
North Channel delivers. Launching from the Spanish Marina, just west of Sudbury, moderately skilled sea kayakers can embark on a four-to-five-day,
60-kilometre-long loop, paddling the sheltered Whalesback Channel, circumnavigating Aird Island and exploring the pink granite domes of the Benjamin
Islands. Besides great scenery, this tour offers isolation and easy logistics.
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Point Pelee National Park, Lake Erie
Despite its diminutive size, Point Pelee National Park is an ecological treasure. The Point Pelee peninsula is renowned as a gateway for migrating birds
and contains more species at risk than any other national park. Birding sea kayakers can avoid the clutter of park boardwalks by paddling the diverse
backwater marshes of Pelee. A leisurely half-day, five-kilometre tour involves launching from the landing at Marsh Boardwalk to explore Lake, West
Cranberry and Crossing ponds. Experienced paddlers looking for a full-day trip can access the exposed sand beaches and prime picnicking sites of Lake
Erie via a short 40-metre carry-over from Lake Pond. Lake Erie demands respect: its unpredictable winds and shallow waters can produce steep waves in
the blink of an eye.
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Thousand Islands Water Trail,Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River
In First Nations lore, the Thousand Islands of the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River interface were petals of heavenly flowers. Today, sea kayaking is a
perfect way to discover the "Garden of the Great Spirit." The Thousand Islands Water Trail promotes nine paddling routes along the international border,
from Kingston to Brockville. Popular destinations for 5-to-15-kilometre-long day trips enjoyable for paddlers of all skill levels include Lake Ontario's
historic Kingston islands and the St. Lawrence's Admiralty Island cluster southwest of Gananoque. Extended overnight tours are also possible. The Thousand
Islands Water Trail guidebook (www.paddle1000.com) provides detailed itineraries.
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A student in environmental sciences at the University of Guelph, Conor Mihell spends his summers guiding kayak trips in the Great Lakes.
This is his first story for Travel & Adventure.
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