Sunrise Paddle ~ Lion's Head to Barrow Bay

Launching at Lion's Head Beach. Notice the seagull landing and the light from the lighthouse.

The first section of my Georgian Bay coastal paddle tour was from Lion’s Head beach to Barrow Bay. I had planned on heading out first thing when I awoke in the morning. That just so happened to be at 4:30 am. I figured to have a quick bite to eat and head out, why not? I thought I might be able to catch the sunrise past Lion’s Head Point.

Lion's Head Point

I didn’t encounter any cars on the way to the beach, or people there as I launched. The visitors to the Lion’s Head Beach Park Campground were still fast asleep. It was so quiet that it felt otherworldly. I launched at a quarter after 5 am and even though the conditions were prime, (little wave action and the wind at my back) I didn’t make it to the point in time. The sun rose at 5:38 am that morning. Thanks to some cloud cover right on the horizon I still got a couple of amazing shots as the sun rose through the clouds when I rounded the point. It was gorgeous!

Sunrise over rocks in McKay's Harbour

When I reached McKay’s Harbour the wind started to stir. The waves weren’t high but my speed slowed as my boat and paddle fought against the wind. Rounding Gun Point was exciting! In my limited experience, I’ve found that wind does funny things as it comes down over bluffs and at points. It seems to swirl, become unpredictable and almost makes the water churn. This was the most technical paddle I have encountered thus far. I kept my momentum up and my paddle in the water. It was so exhilarating!

My last shot, McKay's Harbour as I head to Gun Pt.
The camera went back in the dry sack.

 Once around Gun Point, the wind was stronger again, it was coming from the SW. The water calmed and turned to gentle rolling swells. My arms were getting tired at this point! I’m fairly certain that it took me the same amount of time to get from Lion’s Head to Gun Point as it did from Gun Point to my landing spot on Barrow Bay.

Approximately two hours after I set out, I landed on the rocky shore in front of a friend’s cottage in Barrow Bay. I was welcomed with delicious coffee and a morning chat. It was lovely. I doubt that I’m going to paddle many early mornings, but this kayaking trip from Lion's Head sure was worth the early start!

SUP - Water Up the Nose

  

I recently lead Hendrik Breuer and his wife Monica on a media tour of Sauble Beach. Hendrik is a Toronto-based travel writer for many German publications and was on assignment in our area. While developing our itinerary for the day I had a brain wave to take Hendrik and Monica Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Boarding. Neither of them (nor myself) have ever attempted this activity before and I thought this would a really unique experience for them. So, I called Jack n Jill’s Surf Shop in Sauble Beach and got the board rentals set up.  

The day of the tour was not incredibly hot (about 23 degrees Celsius)  therefore not a  typical beach day but these two were keen so we went to pick up the boards. Jason, the owner of Jack n Jill’s was there to give us some tips on how to get started on the boards. 

  

•  Make sure you have sunscreen on your face, back of the neck and on top of your feet before you go at least, but I would recommend putting it everywhere if you’re going to be out any length of time.

•   Because the SUP is considered a vessel, you must wear a lifejacket and have a whistle with you . 
• Make sure you have the paddle the right way.. if it’s backwards you are wasting a lot of energy paddling as most of the water is just slipping right off the blade.

•  Walk out far enough in the water so that the fins of the board don’t hit the sand.

•   Start by kneeling on the board.  Make sure you are in the centre where you will have your weight distributed most evenly. Choke up on the paddle (hold it in the middle, not the end) and paddle like this until you are comfortable.

•   Paddle into the wind, again to maintain balance.

• When you are ready to stand up, make sure you have forward momentum, this is what gives you balance. Stand up, again in the centre, in one fluid motion.

As close as a camera was getting to the water.

Armed with this information Hendrik and Monica walked the boards down to the beach. I’m not going to lie, the waves here high, but again, this couple was game to give SUP a shot. They set out; very brave indeed. Once out there they didn’t waste much time on their knees. Within minutes, they were standing up, even if it was for just a few seconds, they were standing up! There were some epic splashes, and I’m sorry I didn’t catch them on camera, but they waves were so high I didn’t want to take any camera equipment into the water. 

Monica and I drying off.

After a while and some successful stand ups Monica offered her board to me, she said there was only so much water up the nose she could handle. I on the other hand, seem to have a very high tolerance for water up the nose. I spent some time paddling on my knees and went to stand up. I’m not sure I was even up for two seconds until I came splashing down hard into the water. This happened several times until finally, I was up again and stayed up for about a minute! It was amazing, I encountered a couple waves (just two footers or so) in that amount of time and still remained on the board. It was only when I turned to give Monica the thumbs up that another spectacular wipe out occurred. No matter, after that ride, I considered my first SUP experience a success.

All in all, we had a great day at the beach! We got some awesome exercise and enjoyed the water; it was just gorgeous that day! It almost made falling in the water so many times enjoyable.  I simply can’t wait for my next SUP experience. 

When we returned the boards Jason said that the conditions were quite challenging for first time paddlers, so the three of us felt pretty good about ourselves. 

In closing, here is a tip from Hendrik and I: Do not wear your sunglasses, you will most likely lose them as we did. 

Monica and I rewarding ourselves with Funnel Cake!

Kayaking Adventure on Georgian Bay

I moved back to the Bruce in January. In April I bought my first kayak. I’d been thinking about it for a long time, so I just went ahead and did it. I chose a Current Designs Vision 130. She is a 33lb Kevlar beauty! I chose this particular boat because I wanted something that I can, with moderate effort, load onto my car and go for a tour, whenever I want, without anyone’s help.

I soon discovered that I love paddling! It’s not really something I can describe, its serenity and exhilaration at once with a dash of I don’t know what thrown in. Whether it be with a few of the girls, just putting along shooting the breeze or a solo leisurely cruise along the shore of Georgian Bay, I’m in awe of this amazing place I grew up in and was smart enough to return to.

My paddling goal for this summer is to kayak the Georgian Bay Coastline of the Peninsula in its entirety. I have planned a mix of short haul two hour trips to longer half day paddles and a couple overnighters.

I’m clearly a novice paddler, and normally paddle longer trips by myself, so I don’t go out when the winds and waves are too high. My boat also doesn’t have a rudder at this point. I may get one before the end of the summer is out, but I might just see how I make out too.


I’ve yet to find my boat’s tipping point so I’m not sure what all she is capable of. I will do some practice with tips and rescues later on in the summer, I’m just waiting for the water to warm up a bit! Another paddling investment to be made before fall is a wetsuit...

Anyway, stay tuned for stories about my adventures on the Georgian Bay Coastline of the Beautiful Bruce Peninsula. Hopefully I’ll see some of you out there!

Your Adventure Starts Now

Busy time in Grey and Bruce Counties

Summer may be winding down but the activities in Grey-Bruce are gearing up. One of the biggest events of the summer - Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival - will be held this weekend in Owen Sound.

The three-day event (Aug. 19-21) will be held at Kelso Beach Park on the shores of Georgian Bay and will include artists ranging from emerging young talent to some of the biggest names in folk music. For more details, visit http://www.summerfolk.org

Taking over the same venue from Aug. 27 to Sept. 5 is the Owen Sound Salmon Spectacular - a fishing derby with more than $150,000 worth of merchandise up for grabs, free nightly entertainment, two fish fries and a kids’ day. It’s great fun for the whole family and you don’t even have to be an angler to have a good time! For more on the derby, visit http://www.owensoundtourism.ca

Take in some of these events after your round of golf and we can pretty much guarantee you won’t be bored during your time in beautiful Grey-Bruce.



For those of you who have yet to take advantage of the free golf vouchers handed out at the Toronto and London golf shows, it would be a great time to plan a trip to the area.

The golf courses are in fantastic shape, with evening rains helping to keep everything green. And the temperatures in recent days have been ideal for golf. The 14-day forecast calls for lots of sunshine and daytime highs of 21 to 26 C.

To give you further incentive to make the trip, I've listed some Stay and Play Grey Bruce golf offers below.

Hope to see you soon.

Steve Harron / Marketing Coordinator
Grey-Bruce Golf / steveharron@sympatico.ca

-------------------- GREY-BRUCE GOLF OFFERS

COBBLE BEACH GOLF LINKS

This award-winning course near Owen Sound is offering an All you Can Golf Special on Mondays to Wednesdays for only $99 plus tax. This includes the golf with cart, driving range usage, a bottle of water and a bag tag. Cobble Beach also has Stay and Play Packages starting at $139 plus tax after October 2nd. For more information please call 1-888-278-8112.

THE GOLF CLUB AT LORA BAY near Thornbury

The Golf Club at Lora Bay has partnered with Blue Mountain Resort, Monterra Golf and Cobble Beach Golf Links to introduce The Georgian Bay Golf Trail. Visit www.georgianbaygolftrail.com to build your custom golf getaway today.

MONTERRA GOLF at Blue Mountain. 
Fall Golf Package 
Stay and play this fall at Blue Mountain Resort. Take in the sights and sounds of autumn on the Niagara Escarpment in beautiful Southern Georgian Bay. Relax in luxurious accommodations and tee-off at the renowned Monterra Golf Course. Available 7 days a week from September 6 to October 31. Starting from $149 per person per night including accommodations and one round of golf (cart included). Details and conditions at bluemountain.ca

STONE TREE GOLF AND FITNESS CLUB near Owen Sound
Stay & Play Packages starting at $119 per person, see website for details. All You Can Play Tuesdays w/Cart $59.00.


OWEN SOUND GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

After 2 p.m. 18 holes with a power cart $47.95/person plus applicable taxes, $34.95 after 4 p.m.
519-376-1961


PIKE LAKE GOLF CENTRE near Mount Forest
. Monday to Thursday after 11:00 am – Links Course - 2 for 1 Green Fees (month of September) - 27 Holes of Golf with Cart $60.00
For more details, please call the pro shop at 519-338-2812.


THE LINKS AT PIPER’S GLEN near Port Elgin. 
Summer Special - 18 holes with a power cart Mond.-Thurs. $30, Fri.-Sunday and Holidays $45.
519-832-4653


AINSDALE GOLF COURSE near Kincardine
. Great rates coming this fall.
519-395-5555


SAUBLE GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

Free power carts Monday to Friday 12 noon -2 p.m.
519-422-1052


SOMERHILL GOLF CLUB near Tiverton 
519-396-8450