A certain amount of anxiety filled me as I gathered my things for the rainy road trip. My shoulder and upper back were still as stiff as ever, limiting mobility in rotation, while the weather report had forecasted thunderstorms in the afternoon. Despite coincidentally unfortunate elements in play, we proceeded with our plan, embarking on the 2-hour drive to Wasaga Beach.
Correspondence had taken place over the past 24 hours to address potential cancellations and safety concerns over the stormy forecast. Our plans remained up in the air.
At the halfway point, I received a call from an unfamiliar number. It was unlikely to be spam given the starting digits, so I picked up. It was our SUP instructor, who had called to provide a status update of the weather up north. "It's storming up here, but fingers crossed it'll clear by the time you guys get here." he repeated, "Fingers crossed."
After all, the decision to allow us onto the waters would ultimately reside with the greater force of Mother Nature.
At the halfway point, I received a call from an unfamiliar number. It was unlikely to be spam given the starting digits, so I picked up. It was our SUP instructor, who had called to provide a status update of the weather up north. "It's storming up here, but fingers crossed it'll clear by the time you guys get here." he repeated, "Fingers crossed."
After all, the decision to allow us onto the waters would ultimately reside with the greater force of Mother Nature.
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We paused for a brief lunch and bathroom break at McDonald's. Little did we know that the franchise location overlooked the northern end of Nottawasaga River, where we would later find ourselves paddling along.
The Chicken & Bacon McWrap with Grilled Chicken with Extra Lettuce was deemed satisfying, while a Filet-O-Fish combo was criticized for its small portion size.
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With just under ten minutes till the scheduled start time of 1 PM, we zoomed off along Veteran's Way to Klondike Park. Guidance came via text: "When you enter the parking lot off Klondike Park Road, continue straight then turn left on the gravel road."
And sure enough, the truck was there with its kayak trailer attachment.
And sure enough, the truck was there with its kayak trailer attachment.
Disclaimer: As we were advised to travel as lightly as possible, all images on the water were captured by Free Spirit Tours, with post-processing and adjustments were completed personally.
SUP, the abbreviation for Stand Up Paddle Board, is an activity closely related to kayaking and canoeing. Those engaged in the sport would stand on top of the board and navigate using slightly angled strokes of the plastic paddle. A rectangular slot offered an opening for carrying while denoting the centre of the board, otherwise known as the most stable point for standing.
Upon our arrival, we were provided life jackets and instructed to leave majority of our belongings in the vehicle. The instructor himself wore none, but justified safety measures with reference to a Transport Canada-approved PFD (Personal Flotation Device).
https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/getting-started-safe-boating/choosing-lifejackets-personal-flotation-devices-pfds
Paddles were adjusted according to our height: adequacy was determined by the presence of a slight bend in the elbow when the hand rested on top an upright-positioned paddle.
SUP, the abbreviation for Stand Up Paddle Board, is an activity closely related to kayaking and canoeing. Those engaged in the sport would stand on top of the board and navigate using slightly angled strokes of the plastic paddle. A rectangular slot offered an opening for carrying while denoting the centre of the board, otherwise known as the most stable point for standing.
Upon our arrival, we were provided life jackets and instructed to leave majority of our belongings in the vehicle. The instructor himself wore none, but justified safety measures with reference to a Transport Canada-approved PFD (Personal Flotation Device).
https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/getting-started-safe-boating/choosing-lifejackets-personal-flotation-devices-pfds
Paddles were adjusted according to our height: adequacy was determined by the presence of a slight bend in the elbow when the hand rested on top an upright-positioned paddle.
I earned myself a dubious look from the instructor for my reluctance to abandon my essentials. Some things ought always be carried, as they are (arguably) better soaked than stolen. In spite of the claim that the town was less likely to have homeless perched in shrubbery, waiting to attack unattended belongings, I wasn't entirely reassured. Should my ID and wallet go missing, neither of us would make it home in one piece. There would be no one in the vicinity from which to summon help.
My water shoes remained in the car, for I was told that bare feet would provide better grip on the paddle board. Another wave of fear showered over me as we were told to abandon our shoes by the boat launch ramp. Following the three-hour lesson, we would discover whether they would stay put. Given this, it is my humble recommendation that less expensive, less exclusive sandals be selected for hiding in the grass.
Maneuvering to the paddle boards proved treacherous, for the rocks beneath our feet pierced like no other. Had these been City grounds, I'd have not removed my shoes for any reason - glass shards and broken needles are enough to persuade me to err on the side of caution. However, for the purposes of the lesson, I had to place faith where deserved.
One end of the ankle strap was affixed to our dominant leg, and the other Velcro-ed to the paddleboard. We were warned that if the fin on the underside were to catch onto anything, we'd be "thrown over the handlebars" and to take care in that regard.
Maneuvering to the paddle boards proved treacherous, for the rocks beneath our feet pierced like no other. Had these been City grounds, I'd have not removed my shoes for any reason - glass shards and broken needles are enough to persuade me to err on the side of caution. However, for the purposes of the lesson, I had to place faith where deserved.
One end of the ankle strap was affixed to our dominant leg, and the other Velcro-ed to the paddleboard. We were warned that if the fin on the underside were to catch onto anything, we'd be "thrown over the handlebars" and to take care in that regard.
In shallow waters, paddling was to be done on the knees for improved control. Hand placement on the paddle would be modified accordingly. Large droplets were felt as we reached the middle of waterway. It was at that point where we were introduced to the "stand up" portion of SUP.
The steps were as follows:
We were taught several strokes to assist us along the journey. The basics involved steady, uninterrupted strokes along the edge of the paddle board - an outstretched leading arm, slightly bent supporting arm, and fully submerged paddle ensured maximum energy conversion. Swapping the paddle between hands allowed one to change direction without reducing speed, while a "C-stroke" could be used for a sharp turn. Back-paddling was used to reverse out from areas, or change direction when maintaining speed is not necessary. The stroke resembled reversing in a car, where the front would swing in the direction of the steering wheel.
The steps were as follows:
- Hold paddle and place knuckles down on paddle board, gorilla-style
- Place one foot on the board
- Look straight, then stand up and balance - "If you look down, you're going down"
We were taught several strokes to assist us along the journey. The basics involved steady, uninterrupted strokes along the edge of the paddle board - an outstretched leading arm, slightly bent supporting arm, and fully submerged paddle ensured maximum energy conversion. Swapping the paddle between hands allowed one to change direction without reducing speed, while a "C-stroke" could be used for a sharp turn. Back-paddling was used to reverse out from areas, or change direction when maintaining speed is not necessary. The stroke resembled reversing in a car, where the front would swing in the direction of the steering wheel.
Our knees remained bent (for stability) for the first ten to fifteen minutes of the trip, but the legs gradually lengthened as confidence was gained. A drizzle introduced dispersing puddles in the Nottawasaga River, which we gazed upon in awe while gliding along.
Mercury levels were more moderate than expected, decidedly uncharacteristic of the predicted climate conditions. We passed several short decks, which belonged to property owners along the waters, before arriving at a small channel. One would rarely consider paddling or kayaking at the mention rainfall, especially in the busier districts of southern Ontario. That said, we found an enchanting appeal in the rain; from the misty air to the silent ripples, from the "mellow" Canada geese to delicately drooping trees, there was beauty to be witnessed at each stretch of the way.
As the "pins and needles" creeped into my toes, we were given a brief lesson to transition from the standing position back to sitting. The format was similar, yet involved the dominant swinging to the left side of the board to prevent tangling of the ankle attachment. A peaceful period was spent dipping our feet into the warm waters of Jack's Lake as precipitation persevered. Then, we continued onwards.
Mercury levels were more moderate than expected, decidedly uncharacteristic of the predicted climate conditions. We passed several short decks, which belonged to property owners along the waters, before arriving at a small channel. One would rarely consider paddling or kayaking at the mention rainfall, especially in the busier districts of southern Ontario. That said, we found an enchanting appeal in the rain; from the misty air to the silent ripples, from the "mellow" Canada geese to delicately drooping trees, there was beauty to be witnessed at each stretch of the way.
As the "pins and needles" creeped into my toes, we were given a brief lesson to transition from the standing position back to sitting. The format was similar, yet involved the dominant swinging to the left side of the board to prevent tangling of the ankle attachment. A peaceful period was spent dipping our feet into the warm waters of Jack's Lake as precipitation persevered. Then, we continued onwards.
For the first time in my life, my gaze fell upon lily pads. There were so many of them! Nestled between were white-yellow lotus flowers - some bloomed, some still buds. There wasn't a frog in sight, yet their absence didn't stop me from conjuring a snapshot from one of the many illustrated short stories from my childhood.
Along our route were even more instances of nature: birds skipping across the water, an eagle nest (followed by a giant eagle and eagle junior), a red-winged blackbird couple that did not attack, and a deer derrière that rapidly vanished into the bushes. We were told tales of the bird with un-oiled feathers - an exemplary swimmer despite its body's hereditary aquaphilic qualities - and even encountered a family of black-beaked swans. Trumpeter swans are native to North America and are supposedly the largest swans in Canada.
Along our route were even more instances of nature: birds skipping across the water, an eagle nest (followed by a giant eagle and eagle junior), a red-winged blackbird couple that did not attack, and a deer derrière that rapidly vanished into the bushes. We were told tales of the bird with un-oiled feathers - an exemplary swimmer despite its body's hereditary aquaphilic qualities - and even encountered a family of black-beaked swans. Trumpeter swans are native to North America and are supposedly the largest swans in Canada.
Approximately halfway into our paddling journey, the drizzling ceased and the skies began to clear. We were able to traverse across calm waters, avoiding vegetation in the narrower areas while progressing forward. The Nottawasaga River continued, and so did we.
Past a marsh lay a particularly serene section. The waters were unthinkably shiny - glistening and gorgeous after the rain - and the trees luscious and welcoming as they leaned towards the riverbank. The only utterances of noise were the sporadic splashes of ducks at the water's edge, the flapping of an eagle's wings overhead, and our paddles propelling us deeper into the jungle. "Jungle", we declared it as such, for we were mere visitors of the space, sightseeing and gawking at the beauty of our surroundings. The moment of tranquility was interrupted by a hoard of feisty deer flies. I managed to escape with only four bites, which was a miracle considering my forgetfulness towards the bug spray zipped in my bag. Unlike the aftereffects of mosquito pecks, any irritation quickly subsided without swelling.
Past a marsh lay a particularly serene section. The waters were unthinkably shiny - glistening and gorgeous after the rain - and the trees luscious and welcoming as they leaned towards the riverbank. The only utterances of noise were the sporadic splashes of ducks at the water's edge, the flapping of an eagle's wings overhead, and our paddles propelling us deeper into the jungle. "Jungle", we declared it as such, for we were mere visitors of the space, sightseeing and gawking at the beauty of our surroundings. The moment of tranquility was interrupted by a hoard of feisty deer flies. I managed to escape with only four bites, which was a miracle considering my forgetfulness towards the bug spray zipped in my bag. Unlike the aftereffects of mosquito pecks, any irritation quickly subsided without swelling.
Our conversations with the instructor were consistent throughout the lesson, with only a major break towards the turning point. Silence fell as we reached the quietest portion of the river. Before my eyes was a scene directly right out of a nature documentary. It was as if I was living in the world of National Geographic - surreal, natural, and enlivening.
Retracing our route back, we caught sight of the sun peaking through the clouds. Our faces encountered a gentle gust every now and then, with the surrounding waters remaining warm. A dull greyness hovered about, yet grounds were now completely dry. Our paddleboards were parked by the murky waters and shoes were retrieved.
We returned to the vehicle at 3:59 PM, with the promise photos to be sent afterwards. And true to his words, the link arrived in my inbox later that evening.
Retracing our route back, we caught sight of the sun peaking through the clouds. Our faces encountered a gentle gust every now and then, with the surrounding waters remaining warm. A dull greyness hovered about, yet grounds were now completely dry. Our paddleboards were parked by the murky waters and shoes were retrieved.
We returned to the vehicle at 3:59 PM, with the promise photos to be sent afterwards. And true to his words, the link arrived in my inbox later that evening.
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Bathrooms were open in the Wasaga Sports Park building, enabling damp bottoms to be peeled from our bodies and dinner plans to be evaluated.
A trip to a nearby bakery for quick fuel was met without success, thus we proceeded directly to our dinner destination of choice.
A trek about the City of Barrie Marina provided a buffer between paddling and driving. Dodging green poop along the boardwalk, we ventured to the storefront of Casa Cappuccino before turning back for dinner.
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Tables had filled significantly in our absence, but we managed to secure a spot in a secluded section of Pie Wood's patio, where noise pollution from other diners were kept at bay.
Warm water and Best of Both Worlds were requested to start, followed by Wood Fired Chicken Wings and Ultimate Canadian to share. While the cocktail was not sampled, I was informed that the drink did indeed bear strong presence of beer (in this case, Blanche de Chambly).
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My remarks are few towards the 1 lb of wings. An appetizer earning little fondness from me, I will admit to enjoying the coleslaw and arugula salad more than the sticky, honey-smothered parcels.
Ultimate Canadian, on the other hand, was a phenomenal pick that neither of us could resist. The first bite transported back to elementary school pizza days, yet the flavours had matured: double-smoked bacon instead of pepperoni, fior di latte and mozzarella instead of synthetic shredded strands of cheese, and a maple chili glaze for sophistication. Initially regarded with reluctance, the glaze was requested on the side. Upon familiarization, however, it was instantly deemed a non-negotiable ingredient. It added pizzazz, utterly elevating the dish beyond an already exquisite thin-crust, wood-fired pizza.
Ultimate Canadian, on the other hand, was a phenomenal pick that neither of us could resist. The first bite transported back to elementary school pizza days, yet the flavours had matured: double-smoked bacon instead of pepperoni, fior di latte and mozzarella instead of synthetic shredded strands of cheese, and a maple chili glaze for sophistication. Initially regarded with reluctance, the glaze was requested on the side. Upon familiarization, however, it was instantly deemed a non-negotiable ingredient. It added pizzazz, utterly elevating the dish beyond an already exquisite thin-crust, wood-fired pizza.
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The interior was also wonderfully perfumed with a woody smokiness, its presence undeniable on visits to the bathroom. I raised an eyebrow towards the toilet paper rolls placed atop the dispenser; the leading cause of these circumstances is the misplacement of the key.
Opting to reserve room for dessert, I packed my remaining slice to go and requested a container of the maple chili glaze. While extra portions are normally priced at $1.25, we were slipped a complimentary portion - a condiment I later giddily drizzled over more than just pizza.
Our return to the GTA led us to Gong Cha, where Strawberry and Taro Soft Serve were sampled, then dismissed. Given that the flavours are to rotate on a weekly basis, we settled on Grapefruit Honey Green Tea w/ Star Jelly (me) and Brown Sugar Oolong Milk Tea w/ 2J (for once, not me) instead.
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I crumpled to a pulp upon setting foot into my house. The day had been quite lengthy, with at least four hours of driving involved. But I was happy, and I was thankful. To divert my vision from the daily deep dive of spreadsheets and emails was critical for my wellbeing. I couldn't help but appreciate my partner-in-crime's persistence in pursuing the SUP lesson in the face of torrential weather.
Everything had played out Just Right.
Everything had played out Just Right.
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