The View from Above: Why the Right Boat Changes Everything I recently came across an aerial photo of three paddlers on a quiet stretch of the Nith River. From that height, our crafts look so small and insignificant. It’s a beautiful shot, but as someone who has spent over 25 years on these waters, I […]
Field Notes on the Grand River
Your insider guide to the Grand River. From seasonal wildlife sightings to trip planning tips, get the expert advice you need to plan a safe, memorable escape from the city.
Why You Need a Guide for Ontario’s “Amazon”
Why You Need a Guide for Ontario’s “Amazon” You’ve seen the photos of Big Creek. It’s known as the “Amazon of Ontario” for a reason—thick Carolinian forests, winding narrow channels, and a deep sense of isolation that makes you feel a thousand miles from the nearest highway. You envision a day of effortless gliding, camera […]
The Birth of Plastic: How Bakelite Changed the Way We Paddle
The Birth of Plastic: How Bakelite Changed the Way We Paddle Today marks a massive anniversary in the world of manufacturing—and a surprisingly important one for everyone who loves the river. On this day in 1909, Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland announced his invention: Bakelite. It was the world’s first fully synthetic plastic. While Baekeland changed […]
The Grand River’s Winter Transformation: What “Ice-Up” Means for Safety and Flow
The Grand River’s Winter Transformation: What “Ice-Up” Means for Safety and Flow Baby it’s cold outside Over the last week, I’ve been watching a quiet but powerful transformation from the riverbank. The Grand River has been gradually “closing over”—that stage where the open, rushing water of autumn gives way to the jagged, creeping shelf-ice of […]
Ready, Set, Paddle! 2026 Grand Canoe Camp Registration is Now Open
Ready, Set, Paddle! 2026 Grand Canoe Camp Registration is Now Open In partnership with Bingemans, we are thrilled to welcome campers back to the water for a summer of adventure, skill-building, and classic outdoor fun. Whether your child is a first-time paddler or looking to sharpen their strokes, our Grand Canoe Camp offers a unique […]
Three Exercises to Help You Get Ready for Spring
Three Exercises to Help You Get Ready for Spring Winter is dragging on, but the river is waiting. Winter is dragging on, but the river is waiting. You’re likely dreaming of that first paddle—sun on your face, paddle in hand, leaving the noise behind. But sometimes, life gets in the way. Maybe you’re worried about […]
A Grand Thank You & Exciting News for 2026
Dear Adventurers, As the waters quiet down and we embrace the holiday season, I wanted to take a moment to look back on what has been an incredible 2025. This was our first season under new ownership, and I am filled with gratitude for how it unfolded. While the transitions of business can be challenging, […]
Completing the Unknown Loop | Solo Canoe Trip on the French River (Part 4)
After waking to a still and quiet morning deep in the French River backcountry, I set out determined to find a new way out of the lake—anything but returning through the brutal creek I’d fought my way up. After some searching, I discovered an unmarked portage that led me back toward the French River itself. […]
Finally Reaching the Lakes | Solo Canoe Trip on the French River (Part 3)
After the brutal beaver-creek grind of Part 2, Part 3 finally delivers the moment I’d been pushing toward: reaching the first lake in the chain that inspired this entire trip. The shift from tight, tangled creek to open water feels like stepping into another world. I take time to explore a small, secluded beaver pond—likely […]
Solo Canoe Trip on the French River – Part 2: Beaver Creek Beat Me Up
Part 2 of my solo French River journey turned out to be the most physically and mentally demanding stretch of the entire loop. I entered a narrow beaver creek believing there was just a single pullover between me and the next lake, but what followed was hours of dragging, lifting, climbing over dams, bushwhacking through […]