Paddle the shores of Lake Superior and enjoy empty, sandy and cobblestone beaches, rugged Canadian shield, endless Boreal forest, waterfalls and wildlife.
Our seasoned Lake Superior trip guides will lead and coach a small group leaving Wawa then west along the most remote shoreline of Lake Superior towards Otter Island and back. Our total distance will be approximately 180 kilometers.
This 8-day training kayak trip on Lake Superior is an empowering, memorable experience where paddlers hone their skills and learn the valuable asset of self-reliance on a kayaking expedition.
Our guides have a strong interest in the local history of Lake Superior so we will take time to explore lighthouses, abandoned logging camps, old trappers cabins and gravesites. We will also visit several sites where the mysterious Pukaskwa Pits are located. These rock-lined pits dug in cobblestone beaches are about one to two meters long and one and a half meters deep and are estimated to be between 400 and 7,000 years old!
We originally came up with the self-reliant theme way back in 2010 as a way to help Ontario’s sea kayakers take the next step in their expedition paddling skills. Lake Superior is the world’s largest inland sea which can produce unpredictable conditions in a very short time. We help participants plan their own personal gear and menu plans, pack for a long trip without re-supply and make the right risk management decisions to execute a successful trip.
What to expect on this kayaking adventure
- learn trip planning, including navigation and weather interpretation,
- learn menu planning, packing and food preparation for extended trips or expeditions,
- learn the skills of expedition self-reliance,
- learn how to plan and pack paddling and camping equipment,
- improve paddling skills like strokes and advanced rescues,
- share tips, stories and gossip with group members around the campfire and on the water,
- apply navigation skills and map work,
- gain a better understanding of weather conditions, risk management,
- build leadership and teamwork skills, facilitated by the guides,
- and of course the most beautiful sea kayaking in Ontario and world-class lingering sunsets.
Your trip guides and skill development facilitators
Ray Boucher and David Johnston have been teaching sea kayak courses and guiding on Lake Superior for almost 20 years and it is still one of their favourite places to paddle.
Having two senior Paddle Canada instructors along on the trip is a rare commodity and allows for an 8-day overhaul of paddling and rescue skills development as well as trip navigation and weather planning. Tripping with highly skilled coaches allows the group to choose to experiment with rougher paddling conditions to increase participant’s open-water paddling skill-set. Having guides who have paddled this coast many times over the years means you will see the best parts of the coast and camp at the most spectacular sites.
Trip Start Location
Drive your Car
Drive your vehicle to Wawa, Ontario to meet your guides. Here they will assist you on where to safely park your vehicle for the duration of the trip.
Take the Bus
Don’t have a car? No problem, you can take the bus from Toronto or any other Ontario town directly to Wawa. We can arrange a pick up for you from the bus station and a drive to the launch point.
Nearest International Airport
The nearest airport is in Sault Ste Marie.
http://saultairport.com/