All of us at Ontario Sea Kayak Centre love hosting Paddlepalooza, Ontario’s annual sea kayaking event established in 2013. This year, 2023, will make this our tenth year of gathering kayakers from across Canada. Parry Sound’s proximity to the open waters of Georgian Bay, the moving waters of the Moon River, and the sheltered inlets of the Sound make Parry Sound the ideal location for hosting Paddlepalooza. We bring together the best sea kayak instructors from some of the top paddling schools in Canada and expert Greenland paddling mentors for this spring festival.
We welcome paddlers of all skill levels to Paddlepalooza and offer skills clinics for every level of paddler from complete beginners to seasoned experts.
Paddlepalooza is a two or three-day event, depending on how much time you have to commit. The main event is Saturday and Sunday and when you sign up you can choose to add Friday to your weekend of learning, fun, and socializing.
2023 DATES
September 15-17, 2023
Friday 15th is an optional extra day of training.
Kayaking at Killbear Provincial Park
This year we will be back at the beautiful Killbear Provincial Park. This location lets us launch right into the Georgian Bay Islands from one of the Park’s many white-sand beaches. It also allows for sheltered water for classes that require it and also access to more exposed textured waters for those who crave it! Campsites are included for the weekend so bring your tent or small trailer and set up a little home away from home. Comfort stations are open so you can shower and use flushing toilets.
Ontario Greenland Camp and Traditional Skills.
Traditional paddling skills are where all of the knowledge we share today started and we love to celebrate this important fundamental skill set. From bracing and rolling to forward paddling or simple blade awareness, refining these skills will benefit every paddler. If you are looking to learn some Traditional or Greenlandic paddling skills this is the event for you. We have been sharing these skills since 2007 and have traditional skills and learn-to-roll classes throughout Paddlepalooza. Take a class with one of our expert traditional skills coaches.
Don’t own a kayak or gear? No problem.
When booking online you can choose a weekend rental package for only $50. This includes a sea kayak, skirt, paddle, PFD, Pump, Throw rope, and paddle float.
Friday optional extra day!
Paddlepalooza works best as a three-day event, to make this happen, add the optional Friday training to your cart during checkout. Sessions on Fridays will be with be taught by our out-of-province instructors. Session sign-ups will happen a little closer to the event.
Paddlepalooza 2022: $349
This includes your event pass for both Saturday and Sunday’s kayaking clinics, parking, campsite permits at Killbear Provincial Park for Friday and Saturday nights, and launch fees at off-site locations.
Optional Extra! Friday full-day training: $169
To make the drive to Parry Sound worth it and to get the most out of your weekend of skills training we offer an optional extra day on Friday. Choose to add Friday at checkout and meet your instructor Friday morning at one of our skills locations in the Parry Sound area for an extra day of coaching and skills training.
Signing up
Registration is now open and the event usually fills up fast and we end up with a waiting list. Click “Register Now” below and secure your place at Paddlepalooza 2023. See you on the water.
Confirmed Instructors
We are excited to have compiled an amazing group of talented passionate coaches for this year’s event. At Paddlepalooza we will be offering traditional skills like paddling with a Greenland paddle and rolling as well as contemporary paddling skills with a euro blade. Our team of instructors are able to offer skills clinics for all levels.
Jeff Arbing – Paddle Canada Level 2 Instructor – Port Stanley, ON
Ray Boucher – Paddle Canada Level 3 Instructor – Wawa, ON
Eric Clinton, Paddle Canada Level One Instructor – Kingston, ON
Joedy Ebert – Paddle Canada Level One Instructor – St Catharines, ON
Zach Fiddis – Paddle Canada Level 2 Instructor – Frontenac Outfitters, ON
Tim Gallaway – Greenland Mentor and ACA Instructor – Michigan, USA
Dympna Hayes – Paddle Canada Level 2 Instructor – Parry Sound, ON
David Johnston – Paddle Canada Level 4 Instructor – Peterborough, ON
Greg Mason – Paddle Canada Level 3 Instructor – Parry Sound, ON
Jarrod Gunn McQuillan – Paddle Canada Level 3 Instructor, PEI
Erik Oogard – Paddle Canada Level 4 Instructor – Toronto, ON
Jeff Phaneuf – Paddle Canada Level 1 Instructor – Chatham, ON
James Roberts – Paddle Canada Level 4 Instructor – Parry Sound, ON
Caleb Podgers, Paddle Canada Level Two Instructor, Ottawa, ON
Scott Rosborough, Toronto, ON
Kam Truhn – Greenland Mentor and ACA Instructor – Michigan, USA
Gwen Truhn – Greenland Mentor and ACA Instructor – Michigan, USA
Karl Vollmer – Paddle Canada Level 3 Instructor – Halifax, NS
Register Now!
September 15th – 17th 2023