Barrie Canoe & Kayak Club

04/21/2026

Celebrating Roger Parsons

Five well known paddlers are being inducted into the International Whitewater Hall of Fame – including our own Roger Parsons!

Pioneer – Roger Parsons (Canada) is known for having ‘built’ whitewater in Canada from the ground up as an instructor and coach, a race organizer, an organization founder, an international official, a trainer of officials, a recruiter, a mentor, a promoter, a fundraiser, a boat builder, and a designer.
Roger Parsons was instrumental in the creation of the Minden Whitewater Preserve (MWP) which would be a lifetime achievement for anyone, Roger’s legacy goes far beyond that. As a Scout leader for 40 years, he introduced the first generation of Canadian teenagers to whitewater paddling – many of those went on to be part of Canada’s first national teams to compete overseas (including Roger himself). Some of them continued on to key volunteer positions of leadership within the sport including (historically) Canoe Ontario; Ontario White Water Affiliation (which Roger founded) now Whitewater Ontario; the Canadian White-Water Affiliation (which Roger founded) now part of the Canoe Kayak Canada.
Roger was a valued member of the Barrie Canoe & Kayak Club for 30 years. After Roger retired, he and his wife Dorothy (also an International Coach Federation judge), moved to the Barrie area, building a house in nearby Midhurst. He became a fixture here at the Barrie Canoe and Kayak Club, participating in and leading many canoe and sea kayak trips.

Saturday, May 2nd, 1pm-6pm at the Canoe Museum in Peterborough, Induction Ceremony & Curated Tour

Sunday, May 3rd, 11:30-4pm, at Minden Whitewater Preserve, event celebrating the contributions of Roger Parsons to whitewater paddling.

Check the website for registration and ticket information.
https://bckc.ca/roger-parsons-iwhof-2026/

04/09/2026

Ready to hit the water and kick‑start your paddling journey? This is where the adventure begins! 🚣‍♀️🌊

Perfect for beginners—or paddlers looking to refresh their skills and boost their confidence—this ORCKA Basic Canoe Level 1 & 2 course covers everything you need to get started. You’ll learn essential paddling strokes, boat control, and key safety skills in a fun, supportive, and welcoming environment.

BCKC is excited to offer this course in June 2026, giving you the perfect opportunity to build strong foundations and feel comfortable on the water right from the start. By the end of the course, you’ll feel confident, capable, and ready for your next paddling adventure.

⚠️ Limited seats available—this course fills fast!
👉 Visit the BCKC website for full course details and to register. Don’t wait—secure your spot and get ready to paddle!

Your canoe journey starts here—come paddle with us! 🚣‍♂️✨

https://bckc.ca/event/basic-canoeing-1-2-260623/

04/08/2026

As the weather warms up, it’s time to dust off your canoes and kayaks and get back on the water! 🌊

BCKC has an exciting lineup of trips kicking off in April — from fun one-day outings to unforgettable multi-day camping adventures. There’s something for everyone!

Make sure to check the BCKC Trips List page so you don’t miss out as new outings are added. Spots are limited and fill up fast — grab yours before they’re gone! 🚣‍♀️
https://bckc.ca/bckc-trips/trips-list/

04/07/2026

Got your tickets yet? 🛶
Only 1 week to go until the Paddle Film Festival, hosted by BCKC!
Join us on Tuesday, April 14 at Georgian Theatre — it’s going to be an awesome time.
Seats are assigned and limited, so hurry and grab yours now!
Get your tickets on the Georgian Theatre website or visit the BCKC site. 🎟️
https://tprocob.ticketpro.ca/en/pages/1673194653

04/06/2026

New to canoeing? This is your perfect place to start!

Join our Discover Canoeing session and experience the fun of paddling in a tandem canoe with a partner. In a relaxed, supportive setting, you’ll learn the basics and build confidence on the water—no prior experience needed.
By the end of the session, you’ll be comfortably paddling along the shoreline in calm conditions, working together as a team. Plus, you’ll gain foundational skills based on the ORCKA Safe Canoeing program—setting you up for even more adventures ahead.
Come give it a try—you might just discover your new favorite outdoor activity! 🚣‍♀️

Check out our BCKC website for more details and to register. Hurry—limited spots available and these sessions fill up fast!

https://bckc.ca/event/discover-canoeing-260609/

03/30/2026

https://tprocob.ticketpro.ca/en/pages/1673194653

03/03/2026

"It was a brisk day to be out enjoying the 1m depth of snow, sunshine & great scenery at McCrae Lake. On Saturday, February 28th, fourteen BCKC members did just that!" Trip Leader Bernard

02/26/2026

On Sunday, February 15, we were very lucky to have the most beautiful sunny winter day. The temperature was perfect and almost balmy! 13 enthusiasts ventured to the Bracebridge Resource Management Centre for cross country skiing and snowshoeing. After enjoying a couple of hours on the trails, the group headed to Abby and Jean-Marc's for a potluck lunch. It was a delicious spread and we all ate too much!

Thank you to everyone for bringing your good spirits, smiles and yummy food to share.

Abby Roy

09/16/2025

It may be Fall, but we still have upcoming day trips! Join us for a Beaver River Canoe Day Paddle on September 27, or 1 of 2 Voyager Canoe Morning Paddles on Kempenfelt Bay, October 4 and 18! Also, our Sea Kayak trips continue through September, October AND November provided temps are >10 C! Check out the details at https://bckc.ca/bckc-trips/trips-list/

07/28/2025

Our second adaptive paddling clinic will take place tomorrow at 0900h. If you want to know more, please check out this CTV news video from last week's clinic. https://www.ctvnews.ca/barrie/video/2025/07/24/adaptive-paddling-clinics-open-to-all/

Additionally, Barrie Advance had the following in their July 18th issue:

" Paddles up!

The Barrie Canoe and Kayak Club is hosting a series of introductory courses for those with a disability.

Called adaptive paddling, the club says these sessions allows paddlers to use specialized equipment, as needed, to safely enter or exit a canoe or kayak, and to paddle it safely and independently.
This equipment includes stability-increasing kayak outrigging, one-handed oar supports, wheeled kayak carts, supportive seating, and a sliding transfer board. Life jackets and paddles are provided.

Watercraft will be launched from either the club’s dock at the Southshore Centre’s lower tier, or from the nearby Centennial Beach, depending on individual needs.

Rescue-certified volunteers will be in safety boats nearby.

The first of two sessions is set for July 22, with a second a week later, on July 29. Each session runs from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., with a cost of $35.

Participants must be comfortable in the water, and be able to float with a life jacket. Paddlers are asked to bring a change of clothes and shoes that can get wet, while flip flops are not allowed. Participants must be at least 18."

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If you know someone who would be interested, please pass it on!

Adaptive paddling clinics open to all abilities with the Barrie Canoe and Kayak Club.