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Paddling
Paddling (Canoeing, Kayaking, and Rafting)
Canada’s vast coastlines, amazing lakes and winding rivers are a dream to explore by canoe, kayak or raft. Ocean paddling requires knowledge of ocean currents, weather patterns and how to survive a storm. River paddling requires an understanding of the power of the river and the ability to roll or survive a flip in very cold water.
Rules of the Road
Although the rules of the road for paddlers give the paddler the right-of-way over power and sailboats, prudence demands that you try to stay away from larger boats, and if you have to cross the path of a power boat, do so at a right-angle to the wake.
Wear your Life Jacket or PFD
The inherent instability of canoes and kayaks means wearing your lifej acket or PFD is critical to your safety.
Whatever you love to do, have all the necessary skills and gear to be safe on the water:
- Take a safe boating course and make sure all your gear is in good shape.
- Check the weather forecast and be prepared for it to change.
- Be visible. It is especially difficult for power-driven vessel operators to see canoes/kayaks. Choose bright colours—red, yellow or orange - for your PFD and canoe/kayak.
- Keep signaling devices within reach.
- Stay current on self and assisted-rescues.
- Learn to swim well—especially fully-clothed. Chilly waters can render you hypothermic in minutes.
- Learn basic navigation skills and be prepared to signal for help if necessary.
- Never paddle alone.
From world-class whitewater, to a whale of an encounter, Canada's amazing waters are yours to explore!
Cool Links
GENERAL
Office of Boating Safety
Tides, Currents, and Water Levels
Lifesaving Society
Weather Office
Cook-Rees Memorial Fund for Water Search and Safety
Planning a Safe River Trip
Paddle Canada
CanoeKayak Canada
Trailpeak/kayaking
Canadian Canoe Routes
Paddle Canada
WorldKayak.com
White Water Rafting Canada
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Kayak
Sea Kayak Guides Alliance
Sea Kayak Association of BC
Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club
Canoeing & Kayaking in BC
Kayak Online - Kayaking in BC
Coastal Spirits - Kayak British Columbia
Kayaking Coastal BC
Canoe
Canoe British Columbia
Recreational Canoeing Association of British Columbia
Vancouver Island Whitewater Paddling Society
Whitewater
BC River Outfitters Association
BC White Water
British Columbia White Water Rafting
Rafting in BC
ALBERTA
Waterways Alberta
Canoe or Kayak Alberta
Kayak
Kayak Alberta
Calgary Kayak Club
Bow Valley Kayak Club Canmore
Canoe
Paddle Alberta
Ceyana Canoe Club Edmonton
Calgary Canoe Club
Whitewater
Alberta Slalom Canoe Kayak
Alberta Whitewater Association
Professional River Outfitters Association of Alberta
Banff Rafting Association
SASKATCHEWAN
Canoe
Saskatchewan Canoe Association
Saskatoon Canoe Club
Canoe Saskatchewan
Canoe Kayak Saskatchewan
Wascana Racing Canoe Club Regina
Whitewater
Saskatoon Whitewater Kayak Club
MANITOBA
Manitoba Paddling Association
Paddle Manitoba
Canoe Paddle in Manitoba
Kayak
Kayaking in Manitoba
Canoe
Winnipeg Canoe Club
NWT
Kayak
NWT Kayak Association
Canoe
Canoe Canada's Arctic in the NWT
NWT Canoe Tours
Whitewater
Rafting NWT
YUKON
Kayak
Paddling in Yukon
Kayaking Yukon
Canoe
Guided Canoe Trips Yukon
Canoeing Trip Yukon
Whitewater
Whitewater Rafting Yukon
Whitewater Rafting Trip Yukon
ONTARIO
Canoe and Kayak in Ontario
Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association
Northern Ontario EcoAdventures
Barrie Canoe and Kayak Club
Kayak
Ontario Voyageur Kayak Club Milton
Guelph Kayak Club
Great Lakes Sea Kayaking Association
Canoe
Canoe Adventures in Ontario
Ontario Canoeing Information
Ontario Recreational Canoeing Association
Mississauga Canoe Club
Carleton Place Canoe Club
Toronto Island Canoe Club
Ottawa River Canoe Club
Ontario Marathon Canoe Racing Association
Canoe Ontario
Ontario Canoe Sprint Racing Affiliation
Whitewater
Whitewater Ontario
QUEBEC
Fédération québécoise du canot et du kayak
Association québécoise de canoe-kayak de vitesse
Canot-kayak au Québec par région
Kayak
Kayak au Québec
Québec Kayak de mer
Kayakderiviere.ca
Fédération québécoise de canoë-kayak d'eau vive
Canoe
Association des coureurs en canot du Québec
Association des coureurs en canot à glace du Québec
Whitewater
Rafting au Québec par région
NEW BRUNSWICK
Kayak
Atlantic Kayak Association
Canoe
New Brunswick Competitive Canoe Association
NOVA SCOTIA
Atlantic Division, CanoeKayak Canada
Canoe and Kayak Nova Scotia
Southwest Paddlers Association
Kayak
Kayaking NS
Canoe
Banook Canoe Club Dartmouth
Sack-A-Wa Canoe Club Sackville
Orenda Canoe Club Lake Echo
PRINCE-EDWARD ISLAND
Paddling PEI
Canoe Kayak PEI Association
Kayak
Kayak Newfoudnland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador Paddling Association