There are few things more quintessentially Canadian than plying the pristine waters in a canoe or kayak.
From their base of operations in Bracebridge Bay, the Muskoka Paddle Club has grown from a loose association of like-minded paddlers to include recreational and competitive classes, youth classes, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) programs and guided paddling trips on waterways throughout the region.
As the world begins to emerge from months of covid restrictions the Muskoka Paddle Club is once again back on the water and offering all ages and skill levels the opportunity to get back on the water.
“Paddling is one of the few sports where it’s so easy to social distance while participating,” says Rick Mroz, Commodore of the Muskoka Paddle Club. “This year we did have to discontinue use of our team boats, such as the 10 person north canoe and 15 person war canoe. However, people from one household can easily use our canoes and tandem kayaks.”
The group is running Sunday morning organized paddles to different paddle locations throughout Muskoka. They also have adult technique clinics running every Monday evening and youth technique clinics every Tuesday evening. The club itself is open every Sunday from 12:30 to 8:30 PM and then Monday to Thursday from 3:30 to 8:30 PM.
The Muskoka Paddle Club is a not-for-profit paddling organization, established in 2015 and running out of Kelvin Grove Park at the base of the Bracebridge Falls.
The Great Muskoka Paddling Experience was one of the forerunners to the Club. It was established in 2011 as a single-day paddling race for all skill levels.
Set up as a fundraiser for the Muskoka Watershed Council, which helps to preserve the area’s waterways, the Paddling Experience continued to grow, from 54 paddlers in its first year to 211 by 2015. Although put on hold last year, the event continues to run and there are plans to host some type of covid-friendly version in the fall of 2021.
It was largely through the efforts of people like paddling enthusiast Sandi Schofield (who passed away in 2019), and Jackie Mitchell, a former competitive swimmer, Paralympic athlete and BMLSS teacher, that the Club was able to get on its feet.
The Muskoka Paddle Club spent its first year primarily as a group of canoers and kayakers exploring the Muskoka River recreationally. However, since its inception, the club has seen a steady increase in programs available, watercraft and the number of club members.
“It started basically as a recreational club and now we run the full gamut,” says Jackie Mitchell.
While many communities offer paddling clubs, Mitchell says there’s something special about paddling in Muskoka. In some of the more urban areas of southern Ontario, Mitchell says the water isn’t always that inviting. Aside from the pristine nature of the adjacent waterways, Mitchell says there are other advantages to being based out of Kelvin Grove Park in Bracebridge.
“The Muskoka River is very manageable,” she says. “It’s narrow and there aren’t many rocks. There typically isn’t a current that’s going to drag you away and make waves and it’s very easy to get to.”
Mitchell says one of her favourite spots to paddle in the region is on the Muskoka River near Matthiasville. The river winds past beautiful scenery, both manmade and natural, and it makes for an ideal summer afternoon paddle.
You can find out more about the Muskoka Paddling Club at www.muskokapaddle.club
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