Parry Sound is an area we keep going back to visit for various reasons. We stayed at
Killbear Provincial Park several times years ago and loved it but went back last fall with our then new kayaks. The Park has beautiful beaches and trails but is hard to get into in the summer because it is so popular. It is worth the effort however. The 30,000 Thousand Island Queen Ferry is a tour worth taking. It goes daily in season from Parry Sound Harbour. We did that last year and I can’t describe how picturesque this unique environment is.
This trip we did not stay at Killbear because we knew we were going to be too busy to enjoy the park itself and I have to admit we wanted the full hook ups that the nearby KOA could provide. We stayed there last year as well so knew exactly what to expect. The area is typical “Near North” but is much more beautiful than that statement implies! Rocky outcrops are surrounded by forests and lakes, just what you would expect in the Muskokas, although there seems to be some debate about whether Parry Sound is in Muskoka or not. Thursday we arrived at the KOA around 1 p.m. and went for a good paddle in a nearby lake. It is a great way to explore the shoreline and admire the stunning cottages that are not visible from the roads. I always suffer a bit of envy when I see these gorgeous lakefront properties!
Parry Sound Golf Course is one of our favourites and we played it on Friday. Rain was in the forecast so we took a power cart but it turned out we could have walked. The rain held off until later. We met up with a couple of members on the back 9 and enjoyed their company as well as their tips on how to play the holes. The course winds among hills, rocks and forest making it very scenic. Challenging too! I did get one good “member bounce” when my ball hit the rocks and zinged forward into the middle of the fairway! Later, John and Linda arrived in time for happy hour and we prepared for our upcoming Saturday adventure.
It was rather horrid setting the alarm for 6:30 on a Saturday morning but we had to be at White Squall by 8:15 and it is a half hour drive from the KOA. White Squall is an outfitter/tour company that specializes in canoes and kayaks as well as outdoor gear. They have a small store on the main Street of Parry Sound and a second store on Cole Lake outside of town. It was here that we were signed up for a day of lessons. Thank goodness the rain held off and we actually spent a full day on or in the water.
In the morning the four of us went out on the Lake with Peter, an expert instructor, to learn more about paddling techniques and about what kayaks can do in general. It was excellent and we all learned lots. Kayaking is like golf, or any sport for that matter: there is always more to learn despite your expertise. We are not experts by any means! When you see someone with the skill level of Peter you just feel gob stopped!
We broke for lunch and met with Tim and 2 other instructors at 1 p.m. for a course in kayak rescue. John and I are particularly interested in this having seen alligators swimming along in the waters in the south where we have been kayaking. The locals don’t seem to mind them but we are intimidated. We thought this might help.
Here’s what I want to know; why would someone purposely tip themselves out of a perfectly stable kayak? That was the hardest part, forcing yourself to tip so that you could learn how to get back in. First we did contact tows which involve going alongside someone who is not well and having them hold on while you tow them to safety. This was a piece of cake compared to what was coming up next! We had to do a partner rescue and then solo rescue. I began to realize why we had to dump ourselves at the end of the lesson we took last year as well as this morning! (okay, I cheated...these White Squall pictures are from last year, no place for cameras when you are in lessons)
When you go upside down in a kayak at my level you do not miraculously roll and come back up looking unscathed. You panic while you try to get your bearings while hanging upside down holding your breath and thrashing wildly to find the handle to pull the skirt off the cockpit so that you can fall out and swim up for air! The first couple of times are a bit shocking but I can see how practice would make this a much calmer event. It actually only takes a few seconds but feels like an eternity!
After this ordeal I do feel like I could get myself back in and even help John to get back in but my plan is to avoid this scenario altogether. I may just be a fair-weather paddler. In reality, you never know when you might tip so I am glad it was not just for the thrill of it…the reason we did it was to get a comfort level and gain skill at getting the kayak righted and back in. The air was about 72 F and the water a little less so it was a good thing they provided wet suits. We were in and out of the water for 3 hours!If there had been gators in Lake Cole they would have had plenty of time to eat my legs off, especially during my so-called “solo" rescue.
It was an 8 hour day paddling in the morning and climbing in and out of our kayaks from deep water for the afternoon. We were pretty much done in by the end of it. A few muscles were complaining on Sunday so it was a good thing the weather was co-operating for a day of hunkering down and reading. It poured buckets from Sunday morning (when John and Linda left) to Monday morning. Once the rain stopped we left and have made it home again safe and sound. This was our last trip in the C.C. until we leave for the South on November 1st. At least this time we will feel more confident kayaking down there. I think.
Parry Sound Golf Course is one of our favourites and we played it on Friday. Rain was in the forecast so we took a power cart but it turned out we could have walked. The rain held off until later. We met up with a couple of members on the back 9 and enjoyed their company as well as their tips on how to play the holes. The course winds among hills, rocks and forest making it very scenic. Challenging too! I did get one good “member bounce” when my ball hit the rocks and zinged forward into the middle of the fairway! Later, John and Linda arrived in time for happy hour and we prepared for our upcoming Saturday adventure.It was rather horrid setting the alarm for 6:30 on a Saturday morning but we had to be at White Squall by 8:15 and it is a half hour drive from the KOA. White Squall is an outfitter/tour company that specializes in canoes and kayaks as well as outdoor gear. They have a small store on the main Street of Parry Sound and a second store on Cole Lake outside of town. It was here that we were signed up for a day of lessons. Thank goodness the rain held off and we actually spent a full day on or in the water.
In the morning the four of us went out on the Lake with Peter, an expert instructor, to learn more about paddling techniques and about what kayaks can do in general. It was excellent and we all learned lots. Kayaking is like golf, or any sport for that matter: there is always more to learn despite your expertise. We are not experts by any means! When you see someone with the skill level of Peter you just feel gob stopped!
We broke for lunch and met with Tim and 2 other instructors at 1 p.m. for a course in kayak rescue. John and I are particularly interested in this having seen alligators swimming along in the waters in the south where we have been kayaking. The locals don’t seem to mind them but we are intimidated. We thought this might help.
Here’s what I want to know; why would someone purposely tip themselves out of a perfectly stable kayak? That was the hardest part, forcing yourself to tip so that you could learn how to get back in. First we did contact tows which involve going alongside someone who is not well and having them hold on while you tow them to safety. This was a piece of cake compared to what was coming up next! We had to do a partner rescue and then solo rescue. I began to realize why we had to dump ourselves at the end of the lesson we took last year as well as this morning! (okay, I cheated...these White Squall pictures are from last year, no place for cameras when you are in lessons)
When you go upside down in a kayak at my level you do not miraculously roll and come back up looking unscathed. You panic while you try to get your bearings while hanging upside down holding your breath and thrashing wildly to find the handle to pull the skirt off the cockpit so that you can fall out and swim up for air! The first couple of times are a bit shocking but I can see how practice would make this a much calmer event. It actually only takes a few seconds but feels like an eternity!
After this ordeal I do feel like I could get myself back in and even help John to get back in but my plan is to avoid this scenario altogether. I may just be a fair-weather paddler. In reality, you never know when you might tip so I am glad it was not just for the thrill of it…the reason we did it was to get a comfort level and gain skill at getting the kayak righted and back in. The air was about 72 F and the water a little less so it was a good thing they provided wet suits. We were in and out of the water for 3 hours!If there had been gators in Lake Cole they would have had plenty of time to eat my legs off, especially during my so-called “solo" rescue.
It was an 8 hour day paddling in the morning and climbing in and out of our kayaks from deep water for the afternoon. We were pretty much done in by the end of it. A few muscles were complaining on Sunday so it was a good thing the weather was co-operating for a day of hunkering down and reading. It poured buckets from Sunday morning (when John and Linda left) to Monday morning. Once the rain stopped we left and have made it home again safe and sound. This was our last trip in the C.C. until we leave for the South on November 1st. At least this time we will feel more confident kayaking down there. I think.
