(Header Photo Credit: Terence - @slowridephotography)

There’s nothing quite like gliding across the water in a canoe, kayak, or on a paddleboard. Whether you're island-hopping on Georgian Bay, paddling through the boreal beauty of the north, or sneaking in a quick evening lap around Lake Laurentian, there's one truth that connects every paddler: safety on the water is everything.

While these adventures offer peace, solitude, and jaw-dropping scenery, they also come with risks—especially if you're unprepared. Here's your guide to paddling safely this season, peppered with real-world wisdom from fellow paddlers who’ve learned firsthand why it pays to be ready for anything. 

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Be Seen, Stay Safe

Even in bright, calm conditions, a human-powered craft can be nearly invisible to larger vessels—especially to powerboats or sailboats with high lines of sight.

Make visibility a priority:

• Choose a brightly coloured canoe or kayak—red, orange, or yellow stand out best.
• Wear a brightly coloured lifejacket or PFD
• Keep signaling devices like a whistle, mirror or flashlight within reach in case of emergency

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Know Your Gear

All your safety equipment should be:

• In good working order
• Easily accessible
• Regularly inspected and replaced as needed

Here is what's legally required, depending on your vessel:

For Canoes, Kayaks & Rowboats

• 1 PFD/lifejacket per person (in the correct size)*
• 1 buoyant heaving line (15m+)
• 1 bailer or manual bilge pump
• 1 sound-signalling device
• Reboarding device (if over 0.5m in height)
• Navigation lights & watertight flashlight (if paddling in low visibility)
• Magnetic compass & radar reflector (especially if boat is over 6m or you're navigating larger water)

* If everyone is wearing a lifejacket of PFD, you are only required to carry a sound-signalling device and a watertight flashlight if you are out after sunset or before sunrise

“I always leave a detailed float plan for someone back home. Basically a 'here’s my route, where I am camping, and when I should be back' note. Bottom line: be smart, be prepared, and know when to call it a day and head for shore.”
— Terence, (@slowridephotography)

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PFDs: The Single Most Important Piece of Gear

Approximately 90% of people who drown in recreational boating incidents are not wearing a lifejacket or PFD. You might have one nearby, but if you capsize or fall unexpectedly, you may not have the time—or strength—to reach it.

Wear it. Always.

• Lifejackets offer a higher level of protection than a PFD for staying afloat and rolling you over on your back. However, PFDs are more comfortable and are designed for constant wear. The BEST personal lifesaving device is the one that you will wear and not left sitting under your seat.

“Proper paddling PFDs are very comfortable, so there’s no excuse for not putting one on—even for a short paddle.”
— Terence, (@slowridephotography)

“I always wear a PFD and, if I’m on my paddleboard, I use a leash. Weather can change fast, and I do not want to get separated from my board.”
— Thomas, (@tjsmerritt)

SHOP PFDs: https://www.ramakkos.com/paddling/pfds/

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Prepare for the Unexpected

Carrying emergency supplies might seem like overkill—until you need them.

“Last year, while paddling the Spanish River, my friend and I wrapped QuillTheCanoe around a rock. We still had 80 km to go. We used all the tape and glue in my emergency dry bag to get to The Elbow. That little blue bag saved our trip.”
— Mary Katherine (@mkkeown)

Smart additions to include in your dry bag:

• Extra clothes (including base layers and underwear)
• Emergency blanket
• Gorilla tape / glue
• Firestarter + matches/lighter
• Rope, headlamp, bug spray, sunscreen
• First aid kit (not required by law, but strongly recommended)

Don’t forget to learn basic first aid: CPR, bleeding control, treating cold shock, and hypothermia. It might just save a life.

Shop Boat Safety: https://www.ramakkos.com/paddling/boat-safety/

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Watch the Weather (and Trust Your Gut)

Before heading out, check the marine weather forecast—and don’t just glance. Learn how to interpret wind direction and speed, watch for cloud movement, and recognize thunderstorm formation.

“On big water like Georgian Bay, the wind forecast is critical. A calm paddle can turn into a battle if the wind picks up. I rely on the Windfinder app—it’s saved me more than once.”
— Terence, (@slowridephotography)

Pack extra clothing in a dry bag. Know your physical limits—and the limits of your craft and companions. If things look iffy, head to shore.

“I capsized into the Whitson River in early May. Luckily, I had a full change of clothes in my dry bag. Once I changed, I was warm and fine. That bag saved me from a much worse day.”
— Mary Katherine, (@mkkeown)

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Leave a Float Plan (AKA a Sail Plan)

Before you head out, let someone know:

• Where you’re going
• Who is with you
• What your vessel looks like
• When you plan to return
• When they should call for help if you haven’t checked in

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Know the Magic of the North—And How to Respect It

From snow paddles to rugged river trips, Ontario offers some of the most breathtaking paddle routes in the country. But they demand awareness and preparation.

(Photo Credit: @mkkeown)

“Late season paddling in the Boreal forest after a snowfall is like moving through a snow globe. It’s magical. But you’ve got to be prepared. The water’s cold. The conditions are unpredictable. But the peace it brings? Worth every bit of planning.”
— Mary Katherine Keown

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Stories and Advice from a few of our Favourite Paddlers

Terence Hayes |  @slowridephotography (IG)

“I spend a good chunk of time kayaking on big water—specifically the beautiful Georgian Bay. Think island hopping, remote camping. Out there, the weather forecast isn’t just helpful—it’s critical. Especially the wind forecast!  I rely on an app called Windfinder, which pulls data from marine buoys and weather stations to create a very accurate idea of what’s coming. Trust me, knowing where the wind’s blowing from—and how hard—is the difference between a relaxing paddle and a potentially bad day. A calm, flatwater paddle can turn into a battle against powerful winds and huge waves headwinds if the south wind kicks up.

A couple of other things I never skip:
Always wear your PFD, even if you’re just going “a short distance.” Even if you're a "strong swimmer". Proper paddling PFDs are very comfortable, so there is no excuse for not putting it on.

 I also leave a detailed float plan for someone back home. Basically a “here’s my route, where I am camping, and when I should be back” note.

Bottom line: be smart, be prepared, and know when to call it a day and head for shore. Georgian Bay is a magical place, especially when you’re safe enough to enjoy it.  These tips don't just apply to big water, I practice them on every paddle, even on Ramsey!”

Mary Katherine Keown |  @mkkeown (IG)

I have learned in the last year to always travel prepared. As a rule, I do, but until July 2024, I never really needed my emergency gear. 

Last year, while paddling the Spanish River, my friend and I wrapped QuillTheCanoe around a rock. We still had 80 km of river to paddle and no easy way out of the bush, so my buddy set about repairing what he could with my supplies. I always carry an emergency dry bag packed with anything I might need to ride out an unanticipated night in the woods. My bag contains Gorilla marine tape, Gorilla glue, duct tape, an emergency blanket, a fire starter kit, matches and lighters, sunscreen, bug spray, a headlamp, a ferro rod and lots of rope. We used all the tape and all the glue to get that canoe to The Elbow, but we managed, thanks to the little blue bag. 

I also always carry an entire change of clothes in my dry bag, including underwear and a couple of extra layers. In early May, during my first outing of this season, I learned why that is essential. My friend Lynn and I were on the Whitson River, exploring an early season stream — there was still some ice on local lakes — when we happened upon a sweeper (you know where this is going). I got turned perpendicular to the current — it was swift, given it was early May — and I capsized, almost in slow motion. I remember as I tipped to the side I was thinking, ‘oh no, I’m going over,’ but I could do nothing to stop it. I floated down the river a bit then climbed out, scrambling up a muddy river bank. I hauled KoralTheKayak onto the bank and spent about 20 minutes processing the plunge. Luckily, it was not a cold day and once I changed, I was perfectly warm. 

I was asked to comment on a favourite locale. That is tricky, since I try to paddle somewhere new each time I set out. My goal is to explore northern Ontario and my posts are like love letters to the north. I love a day trip out to Wolf Lake and Paradise Lagoon, although it is not a locale, but a season that I enjoy so much. Late season paddling, especially in the Boreal forest after an early snowfall, is magical. Every year, I try to end the season with a snow paddle. It becomes a balancing act — finding pretty vistas on waterbodies that have not yet frozen. But when it works, the results are otherworldly — like paddling through a snow globe. The photos always impress; however, it is the experience of being in a silent woods, surrounded by snow-capped trees, that stays with me year after year. The whole experience is like getting a kiss from your crush.”

Thomas Merritt  | @tjsmerritt

“I love paddling Lake Laurentian. It’s a beautiful space less than ten minutes from campus and maybe 15 from my house. It’s an absolute gem for Sudbury.

I always wear a PFD and, if I’m on my paddleboard, use a leash. Weather can change fast, and I do not want to get separated from my board”.

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Paddling is more than recreation—it’s connection: to nature, to stillness, and to ourselves. But every memorable outing begins with safety. Paddle Smart.

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Resources:

Download Safety Guide PDF:  https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/files/2024-03/tp_511e.pdf

Operating Human Powered Craft: https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/preparing-operate-your-vessel/operating-human-powered-craft