The Algoma Paddlers Canoe & Kayak Club

We would like to thank everyone that came out to help us get our Voyageur Canoes into storage this weekend. We couldn't have done it without you! An especially big thank you to Joanne for organizing the move and to Will Samis for the use of the barn space. It is so good to know that the canoes are in good storage for the winter! *For more info about the history and building of the Cordukes/Weber barn, check out https://huronshores.ca/pointsofinterest/historic-cordukesweber-12-sided-barn/

We are looking for some volunteers to help us move our Voyageur Canoes into storage in Sowerby this Saturday, November 17th.    We will meet up at Tim Horton’s in Blind River at 1:00pm.  Please contact Joanne at  joanne.marck8@gmail.com  if you are able to make it.  Thank you!

Coureurs de bois, Algoma Paddlers, and Penokean Hills will be having a combined Christmas party this year, and we want to see you there! Date: Friday, December 7th Location: The Moose Lodge, Elliot Lake Time: 5:30 cocktails, 6:15 dinner followed by door prizes and dancing to the music of the Jacques Brothers! Tickets: $25 - on sale from November 5 - 23 by contacting George at ghoo@sympatico.ca or 705-848-3105. Questions about the event can be directed to Sheila at sheilahoo@hotmail.com or 705-848-3105.

We will be holding our Annual General Meeting on Thursday, November 29 at 7 pm at the Blind River Seniors Centre (17 Michigan Ave.).  Mark your calendar! Directions: Travelling West through Blind River, turn left at the traffic lights, take the second right onto Michigan Ave. The white seniors' building is the 3rd on the left.

The Algoma Paddlers will be set up at the Blind River Fall Festival on Saturday, October 13 .  Come see us on Main street (Woodward Ave.) between 11am and 3pm !  Chat with some of our great club members and volunteers, have a look at our equipment display, and find out what the club is all about.  See you there!

Our final planned event for the summer is coming up next Saturday, September 22, and we hope you can all make it! Here are the details FOR THE PADDLE Meeting location: Wilson's Fruit Market at 9:30 am Trip Details: Paddle destination is planned for Turnbull Island.  If the conditions report is not acceptable, the destination will be changed.  Bring a lunch. Trip Leader: Kathy Ellis.  Please contact the trip leader ahead of time if you plan to join for the paddle so we know who to expect at the meeting location. Contact details - blindriv@gmail.com or 705-356-1266.  (If you need to borrow equipment, contact Gary to arrange at mycsmith@hotmail.com ) FOR THE POTLUCK Potluck will start at 4:30 at Gary and Natalie's. Everyone is welcome, even if you're not paddling earlier in the day.  Contact Gary to RSVP and for address if needed. Hope to see you there!

This course will have a max of 6 students; make sure to reserve your spot! Saturday, August 18 Lauzon Beach & Boat Launch in Algoma Mills Course instructor: Son ya Fortin Course options: ORCKA Standup Paddle Boarding Safe Paddlers from 9 - 2pm (lunch 12 - 1). Cost is $30 for members of $80 for non-members OR ORCKA Standup Paddle Boarding Level 1 from 9 - 5pm (lunch 12 - 1). Cost is $50 for members or $100 for non-members. Paddle boards are provided. For more info and to register, please contact Course Director, Kathy Ellis, at blindriv@gmail.com or 705.356.1266

Want to paddle on Lake Superior in a Voyageur Canoe?  There are two options coming up: Option 1: (Easy/Leisure) Sunday, August 12,  Pancake Bay Provincial Park: Help is needed to paddle the 36' Montreal Canoe with Park visitors. We need to be there from 10:30 to 3:30 - but a couple campsites at the park are available on Saturday and Sunday evenings (free for us as volunteers) if you wish to extend your stay! Pancake Bay has a wonderful beach, and their Family Days weekend is always enjoyable. Contact Wally as per the contact info below. Option 2: (Moderate/some camping experience needed) August 25 to 29: Enjoy a multi-day Superior wilderness trip in a   36' Montreal Canoe. We'll travel the pristine shoreline from Michipicoten Harbour to the Dog River. This trip has a minimum of 9 participants and a maximum of 12, so reserve your spot now. Participants need to be able to paddle as a team, and should be prepared to be windbound, or paddle lo...

Commentary by Cindy We did a little over 12 km. The weather was good to us. Only a bit of wind on way home...this is the whole group...its a selfie. Lol.

Trip Leader : Sirje Pomerleau, pomerlea@sympatico.ca Boat Type: kayak, canoe Meeting: Hwy 108/17 car park, 9:30am Level of Difficulty : easy, potential for wind and waves

Commentary by Sirje.  Photos by Laura. Four eager paddlers ignored the grey skies and a few threatening raindrops to explore the Serpent River mouth as it empties into Lake Huron. The rain never really materialized and we were rewarded with calm waters, beautiful scenery, great conversation, and, eventually, blue skies and sunshine. The water level is even higher in Huron this year so the end of Long Point has no easy access... and the fun little zigzag between rocky islands is only a challenge for those approaching with speed and looking to practice turns on a dime.  We did manage to find a perfect lunch spot looking out over the islands scattered in the river mouth...but the sunken ship eluded us again this time!

PRESENTED BY FRIENDS OF ALGOMA EAST We invite anyone interested in learning more about black bears to attend this  free EDUCATIONAL SLIDE SHOW. The presentation will look at many aspects of black bear behaviour, biology, current research, Elliot Lake Bear Wise Initiative & ways to avoid & react to a bear encounter.  Learn the etiquette for living in bear country.  Feel more comfortable about travelling in bear country with a new sense of awareness abouth the true nature of black bears. When: Wednesday, June 20, 2018 @ 6:45 pm Where: Pearson Civic Centre auditorium

Volunteers needed Saturday! The Algoma Paddlers have a great opportunity to have a booth at Ribfest at Lauzon Beach this Saturday, June 16 from 11 am to 5 pm. We need volunteers to come out to enjoy some good food and entertainment, visit with friends, look after a booth for the Algoma Paddlers from 11 am to 5 pm, and paddle in the Voyageur Canoe from 3-5pm. If you can help with this, please contact Wally at 705.849.6429, or email him at wvandyke@sympatico.ca. Bring your bathing suit and towel, and plan on a fun time, with lots happening at this event!

Commentary and photos by Lauren Our weekend paddle took us on a tour of the Northern half of Lake Duborne.  With comfortable temperatures and a slight breeze, we explored hidden creeks, spotted a bald eagle near its nest, and were accompanied for a short distance by a great blue heron. We had a short break on Blueberry Island before heading back for a well-deserved potluck feast!

Commentary by Laura, Photos by  Laura & Sydney There were 7 of us that set out on our trip down the Little White River.  We had beginner and experienced paddlers, a wide range of ages, and a variety of boat types.  The skies were overcast with a hint of sun and rain showers just as we finished up our trip.    Three members went for a surprise "swim" and we had a chance to apply and learn recovery skills. We also learned a new phrase...."on fleek".  All in all a great outing. Thanks Ray!

Mark your calendars!  We’ve got some great trips and courses coming up that we hope you can join us for…click HERE for the 2018 Trip List.       There is no charge for trips, but there is a fee for courses and camps. Participation in club trips requires current membership.  Non-members may participate in one outing prior to joining and are required to sign a liability waiver form.  See the last page of the 2018 Trip list for all event procedures and membership information.  See this blog site under the "Our Club" tab for membership forms. See this blog site under the "Club Calendar" tab for trip updates!     To register for trips, please contact the Trip leaders directly. To register for courses, please contact Kathy Ellis at blindriv@gmail.com

We’ve got some great trips coming up that we hope you can join us for. See our club calendar for full details and updates at http://algomapaddlers.blogspot.ca/p/club-calendar.html . Please RSVP to our trip leaders or contact them directly if you have questions. Here’s a list of what we have planned the first week of June. Sunday, June 3: Little White River Type of Trip: Kayak or Canoe Trip Leader: Ray Lipinski, ray.lipinski@ontario.ca Meeting Location(s): Tim Horton’s- Blind River 9:00 am; or Miner’s Monument- Elliot Lake 10:00 am Trip Info: Day trip; approximately 16 km of river, some shallow sections (depending on water level), usually scratches can be avoided. Starting point at camping/picnic area near the Highway bridge on Hwy. 546 approx. 1 km east of the intersection of Hwy 639. Approximately 5-hour trip downstream. A vehicle shuttle will be done before the trip. Bring a lunch, be prepared for bugs. Level of Difficulty: Moving Water, no rapids, some hazards (rocks,...

Date:  Sunday, June 3, 2018 Type of Trip:   Kayak or Canoe Trip Leader: Ray Lipinski Meeting Location(s):  Tim Horton’s- Blind River 9:00 am; or Miner’s Monument- Elliot Lake 10:00 am Trip Info:  Day trip; approximately 16 km of river, some shallow sections (depending on water level), usually scratches can be avoided.     Starting point at camping/picnic area near the Highway bridge on Hwy. 546 approx. 1 km east of the intersection of Hwy 639.  Approximately 5 hour trip downstream.  A vehicle shuttle will be done before the trip.  Bring a lunch, be prepared for bugs. Level of Difficulty:  Moving Water, no rapids, some hazards (rocks, sweepers) For more information please contact the trip leader directly at ray.lipinski@ontario.ca

UPDATE:  Planning to register your children for KICK camp this summer?  We will be having a Camp registration night at the Blind River Public Library on May 15 from 6:15-7:45 pm.   Prices go up after May 31st!  Our Elliot Lake Camp will be held at Camp Thompson July 23-27.  Blind River camps wil be held at Lauzon Beach July 9-13 and July 16-20.  If you can't make it to our May 15 registration night, forms are available for downloading under the “our club” tab and can be mailed in with payment to P.O. Box 248, Blind River, P0R 1B0. K.I.C.K. (Kids Into Canoeing and Kayaking) Camp is a summer day camp for local youth ages 8 - 16.  Receive paddling certifications! Experienced paddlers and beginners are welcome.  2018 Camp Sessions Week 1 - July 3 - 6: Whitefish River First Nation Week 2 - July 9 - 13: Blind River Area, Lake Lauzon Week 3 - July 16 - 20: Blind River Area, Lake Lauzon Week 4 - July 23 - 27:...