Paddling

Paddling in the 21st century has come a long way from the ‘roughing-it’ canoe trips of yesteryear.

As recently as the 1970s, a wilderness canoe trip was considered to be an adventure where enduring the hardships was all part of the experience – primitive stoves, freeze-dried dinners, canvas tents with no floors, heavy packs and even heavier canoes.

Advances in technology have had an impact on canoeing and kayaking in the wilderness.

Backpacks are ergonomically designed and made from breathable lightweight material. Therma rest mattresses give you a good night’s sleep, then roll up to virtually nothing. Light tents designed for mountaineering expeditions can be found in every outdoor store. Efficient and powerful stoves can cook a gourmet meal as fast as you could in the kitchen at home. Satellite phones, SPOT devices and GPS make wilderness adventures safer.

Early explorers and the voyageurs paddled vessels made from birch bark, kept warm with animal pelts, ate what they caught from the wild and kept bugs away by smearing their bodies with mud.

Today, a canoe or kayak experience with one of Ontario’s Outfitters brings luxury and convenience to new levels. In fact, many operate their own retail outlets to complement their expedition business, making them experts in the field of equipment.

Here’s just a partial list of the equipment designed to make canoe and kayak vacations more convenient and comfortable:

For More Paddling Adventure Ideas & Tips, click here
Also, Try Our Plan Your Vacation Tool.