| Canoe and kayak rentals on the Grand River | | | | people over the 250 pound weight class. They |
| offer a huge choice of services. Today paddling | | | | offer a good customer service and are the only |
| on the Grand River watershed attracts over | | | | ones doing canoe rentals on the northern section |
| 30,000 people a year. This river system is | | | | of the Grand River. (canoeingthegrand.com) |
| southern Ontario's largest watershed with 300 | | | | Another company offering rentals is "Grand |
| kilometers of paddling. A person can do a 2-3 | | | | Experiences" located in Paris. This company is |
| hour day trip or a one week trip... it all depends on | | | | located on the Grand River below the Paris dam. |
| the time window. The river is open from April to | | | | They operate from Cambridge to Brantford and |
| November and offers some of the best canoeing | | | | offer a rental variety of canoes and kayaks. |
| experiences one hour west of Toronto. | | | | (grand-experiences.com) |
| The greatest feature attraction of the Grand | | | | There are four key things to consider when doing |
| River is the ability to drive one hour from | | | | a self-guided trip... the weather, the paddling |
| Toronto and have a day's wilderness experience... | | | | distance, the boat's weight capacity and the |
| and still be in your own bed at night. Or if looking | | | | paddling skill level. |
| for an overnight weekend adventures... it is easy | | | | The weather is first and forefront to consider. All |
| to fill in two days of paddling on this river. | | | | the outfitting companies accept cancellation due to |
| Renting a boat to explore the Grand River is an | | | | inclement weather. If unsure about the weather |
| excellent option because the day rental prices are | | | | always check with the outfitter before arriving. |
| inexpensive. All the companies on the Grand River | | | | The weather at home may not be the weather |
| use plastic ABS boats which are versatile, safe | | | | on the river. When calling the outfitter for a |
| and almost indestructible. People can rent by the | | | | weather update, tell them your skill level... be |
| trip, which means you pay a set price to paddle a | | | | honest so that they can give the best evaluation |
| specific route on your own. Or rent a canoe | | | | of risk for a safe paddle on the river. |
| kayak by the hour or rent by the day if doing a | | | | Don't get caught up with paddling maximum |
| multi-day trip. | | | | distance for maximum dollar. This mindset is a big |
| The "trip" rentals works as follows... the customer | | | | mistake. Long hours on the river combined with |
| parks their vehicle at the trip exit point and then | | | | the use of different muscles... lack of steering |
| shuttled upstream to paddle back to their vehicle. | | | | skills... a bright sun or an unexpected head wind |
| In 2007 a three hour canoe trip costs about $60 | | | | create exhaustion. Many "dollar for distance" |
| per canoe for two people with all equipment | | | | customers find themselves crawling out of their |
| supplied, plus the upstream shuttle ride. Extra | | | | boat eager to feel the steering wheel for their |
| people in the canoe cost an additional $5-$10 each | | | | homeward journey. If inexperienced or new to |
| depending whether child or adult. Individual kayaks | | | | the river... always choose the shorter trip to enjoy |
| can be rented for around $45-$49 per person | | | | the day. |
| with all equipment and shuttle ride included. An | | | | Remember to ask about the boat rental weight |
| important terminology used by outfitting | | | | capacity and length. If you are above 250lbs it is |
| companies for a boat day rental is called a | | | | good to let the self-guided outfitters know your |
| "self-guided trip". A self-guided trip is where you | | | | size. Most rental canoes are at the 8oo pound |
| paddle the route without a guide... and is the | | | | capacity with good seat support. Canoe lengths |
| cheapest way to go. | | | | range from 14-16ft and length is not critical for |
| There are six outfitting companies offering | | | | day trips. On overnight trips the longer canoe |
| paddling excursions in the valley and all have | | | | holds more gear. |
| websites. Three of the outfitting companies | | | | Concerning paddling skill level... the Grand River is |
| specialize in self-guided canoe and kayak trips. The | | | | perfect for beginners with a taste of everything... |
| other three companies specialize in guided kayak, | | | | quiet pool sections, gentle swifts and navigable |
| canoe or rafting trips. The three companies | | | | fast moving water. The river averages 2-3 feet in |
| offering self-guided canoe/kayak trips are: | | | | depth between West Montrose and Brantford. |
| "Heritage River Canoe and Kayak" operates from | | | | The Grand can be like two different rivers with |
| Cambridge to below Brantford on the Grand | | | | fast to slow moving water above Brantford and |
| River. They rent a large selection of kayaks | | | | very slow moving water below Brantford. |
| & canoes. They have river kayaks, sea | | | | Self-guided day trips can vary from 3 to 7 hours. |
| kayaks and tandem kayaks. They have 14-16ft | | | | The prettiest wilderness section to paddle on the |
| canoes that are extra sturdy for supporting | | | | Grand River is a 3 hour trip between Glen Morris |
| people over the 250 pound weight class. Heritage | | | | and Paris. All three companies offer this route. For |
| River also offers self-guided paddles on the | | | | a unique 6-7 hour paddle... the trip from Glen |
| serene Oxbow section of the Grand River. This | | | | Morris to Brant Park offers the best of the |
| canoe rental company offers promptness and | | | | Grand. Below Brantford there is a calm water |
| excellent customer service. (heritageriver.com) | | | | section called the Oxbow... this is a relaxing 3-4 |
| "Canoeing the Grand", which operates from West | | | | hour paddle of serenity. If new to the Grand |
| Montrose/Kitchener/Paris sections of the Grand. | | | | River... why not ask the outfitter what type of |
| They rent kayaks & canoes... and offer 15ft | | | | water is comfortable for your paddling skills and |
| canoes that are extra sturdy for supporting | | | | let them recommend a trip. |