When school is out, summer finally starts! There's no better way to let off steam than venturing outdoors, discovering new passions, and making nature your playground. Whether in the city or the country, there are several ways to introduce your children to the pleasures of water sports, from classes to day camps.
Some programs offer introductory canoeing, others kayaking. Some even have wilderness expeditions. Here's a quick look at what Quebec, Ontario and the Eastern United States have in store.
From Montreal to Quebec, paddle in complete freedom
Despite its urban character, the city of Laval is worth a visit for its nature areas, such as the Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles and the Centre de la nature. Both offer boat rentals to introduce your kids to various water sports, especially canoeing and kayaking.
Just across the bridge, young Montrealers can also indulge in water sports. Being an island, Montreal offers countless activities and spots to launch yourself into the water to initiate your children to canoeing or kayaking.
Think, for example, of the 15 km of waterways accessible along the Gouin course near Rivière-des-Prairies, Parc Jean-Drapeau, near the St. Lawrence River along the Lachine Canal or on the banks of the borough of Lasalle.
Natives of the Quebec City area are equally well served with varied program offerings that include a 3-day wilderness canoe or rabaska expedition, an introduction to fishing or a multi-water program offered in Portneuf.
The municipality of Lac-Beauport also has lots to offer via its camps and nautical clubs, from initiations to fly fishing to all kinds of boat rentals to have fun on the water, ranging from canoes to tandem kayaks.
Several rivers in Quebec City will also appeal to families, such as the Saint-Charles River, the Jacques-Cartier River and the Bras-du-Nord River.
A change of scenery is only a paddle away in Ontario
For memories that last a lifetime, Ontario is full of waterways and new experiences. The region of Temagami, close to the Quebec border, has plenty of camps that offer multi-day expeditions and canoe camping. There’s no better way for young people to develop their leadership and survival skills in the wild!
Closer to the city, precisely that of Sudbury, Ramsey Lake allows you to learn the basics of boating. You can also paddle to the magnificent Laurentian Lake Conservation Park.
Nearby day camps offer a variety of programs, from introductory water sports to advanced skills for competitive kayaking and sprint canoeing.
The Eastern United States, a raw region to explore on the water
The state of Vermont is full of lush greenery and opportunities to venture out on its lakes. There’s a camp experience for everyone. Some are specially designed for young girls who want to develop their confidence and potential through canoe-camping. Conversely, other programs are aimed at young boys, bringing them to live amongst nature, away from the city. Both offer the perfect opportunity to perfect boating, kayaking or paddle boarding skills.
For the more adventurous, there are some great programs in Maine with longer camps, typically three weeks long, where young people paddle from one island to another. Each participant in the expedition carries their gear in a solo sea kayak before mooring on the next island for the night. A very emotional and challenging experience!
Enjoy models specially designed for kids for hours of fun on the water!
GROOVE 80X kids paddle board
Want to introduce your little ones to the joys of paddle boarding? The GROOVE 80X is the board for you! At 8’ (2.44 m), this SUP is designed for young paddlers and includes an anti-slip area for maximum stability when on the water. With its flexible rubber fin, this paddle board is easy to maneuver. It’s also equipped with a drain plug to prevent water infiltration. Made from our ultra-resistant RAM-X material, it features a bottle holder and a junior paddle that’s ideal for smaller hands. Your kids will be able to enjoy long, fun rides on this paddle board with total confidence.
Shop the Groove 80X Kids Paddle Board
Combo of two kids' kayaks with paddles - Yellow
The SOLO kayaks are perfectly scaled down to suit smaller paddlers. Built on a twin tunnel hull, these 6-foot-long sit-on-top kayaks are easy to maneuver and provide superior stability to keep your kids safe. Each kayak also includes a moulded seat and footrests, a built-in bottle holder, a safety flag, and a kid paddle. Made of our RAM-X™ impact-resistant material, those self-bailing kayaks are built to last through many years of fun on the water.