Discussion: Paddling

Were you on the grand - or an erg? I just moved to cambridge in December and am trying to find the best place to paddle the grand. It's pretty damn low right now.

I'm using the rowing machine at the gym. Usually I fill that in, but forgot with this entry. I haven't tried paddling on the Grand myself. Up by Victoria though is where I see a lot of people put in.

I have put in my kayak up by Elora and taken out by Victoria. It was a good 2.5-3 hr paddle or so (I think it says 6-hr but it was spring runoff (fast current) and a non-leasurely pace, so easy to cut in half).

I've also done a canoe shuttle (grand river experiences) putting in by Victoria out in Paris, but I think the shuttle is only for canoes rented and they don't run until the water is 7C, which is usually mid-April.

Let me know if you do put in sometime soon, I'd be up for that if you are willing to wait for a crappy poly kayak. I want to get some paddling training in soon!

I will probably try to get out next weekend if the weather operates.

I was also looking at the Guelph Reservoir. It looks like the perimeter is about 15km give or take a couple. Anyone given that a try before? An option if the river is too low.

If we hit the river we can drop a car off at the start and finish, so that would make things easier than going solo.

Let's try to figure something out.

Guelph Lake was my regular kayak paddling area (when I used to paddle-train and when I lived in Guelph up until a year ago). It will be frozen for another month or so I would think but offers a good 2 hour paddle if you go around the perimeter. You can even go upstream at the NW end depending on water levels. There is also a decent running trail system in the NE area of the conservation area, and mountain biking in the SW part offering a good brick workout opportunity. I think the entrance fee is $5, which you will need to pay since there are no other put-ins (at least none which I could find surrounding the Lake).

I'm hoping to get south next weekend to the closest available MTB area (Penn or WV) so I may not be around. If their conditions are the same as here, then I might stay local. If not, we can try another time too.

Two cars are ideal for shuttling.

Well water levels aren't low anymore!! Im not sure if it's just the rain or if they control the flow of the Grand. Looks like it's moving pretty good now, so I hope it stays like this for a while.

Harps - Penn and WV are under flood warnings right now...so you may be paddling there too!

You may want to check out the cambridge rowing club parking lot:
http://www.cambridgerowingclub.on.ca/
I've just moved to Cambridge too, and ran by their facilities on the weekend. If you're going to paddle on the Grand in Cambridge, it looks like a great place to put in.