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Flatwater Program
The Flatwater Program is about cooperative and low cost canoe tripping. Our trips range in length from a single evening to a week or more. The program includes:
- evening paddles, usually at Meech Lake;
- day-long paddles, with opportunities for a pleasant picnic lunch and a swim;
- weekend trips to such well-known destinations as Algonquin, Frontenac, the Adirondacks and La Vérendrye;
- longer excursions of up to a week or two to the French River, Killarney, Temagami and many other beautiful canoeing havens in Ontario and Quebec.
Our trips are run in a co-operative manner with everyone pitching in. Unlike a guided trip, you partake in the planning process, route planning, gear selection, menu planning and preparing the meals, setting up camp, and every other aspect of the trip it is your trip. Our members range from beginner to seasoned pro so there is usually a wide range of experience levels on trips. If there is something you want to know about, just ask.... and if the others don't know the answer they can usually point you to someone who does know.
Our trips are low cost. Unlike an outfitter who is trying to pay staff and make a profit, we rely on volunteers and just try to cover expenses.... and this means that a one week trip with us costs about the same as a daytrip with an outfitter.... and a daytrip with us is just the cost of shared transportation and shared canoe rentals from our fleet of ultralight canoes, often under $5.00 each per day. The Y has been around since the 1800's and our club has been around since the 1950's.... you know we are here to stay!
Our evening trips usually go to Meech Lake for a quiet paddle and a swim. We leave from the shed around 6:30 (make sure you let the trip organizer know that you are coming) and get back after dark. You must bring along your own paddle and PFD but we have lots of canoes to choose between. Don't forget to bring a snack, some fresh water, a light, appropriate clothing for the time of year, and some rain gear "just in case"
Our day trips usually leave from the shed at 9:00am. Destinations can be anywhere within a 90 minute drive from Ottawa. Popular spots are Baie Black, various spots on the Rideau, Constance Creek, Lac Vert, Gatineau at Low, and a host of others too numerous to mention. Make sure that you let the trip organizer know that you are coming and get there for 8:30 to arrange rides and load canoes. On the day trips we are usually gone until late afternoon so bring along a lunch, adequate water, and appropriate clothing for the time of year.
Our weekend (and longer) trips take a bit more preparation than a day trip. Unlike the day trips which have no limit to the number of participants, camping trips are limited by campsite size so it is a good idea to contact the trip organizer as far ahead of the trip as possible to make sure you get a spot. We have a planning meeting before the trip, usually at the shed on the Tuesday night before the trip. At the planning meeting we decide on the route, transportation details, the menu, and who brings what gear. Everyone pitches in to the best of their ability.
Anyone can be a trip organizer. All you need is a destination. If there is somewhere that you wish to go to, suggest it. If you need some help organizing the trip, just ask and there is usually lots of help.
If you want to check us out in person, drop us a line and come out for a paddle.
