Paddle the Don 2010 another super success!

Could there be any better way to experience the blessings of Ma Nature in our big city than paddling the Don River? I doubt it.

This was my first ever Paddle the Don event, and it was such a great experience that it makes me wonder what took me so long! Who knew that you could have this much fun paddling in the heart of this bustling city of nearly 4 million souls.

I had heard of the event for years, but somehow never quite managed to get myself organized to attend.  This year, I went as a volunteer (my main contribution was to hold the umbrella over the official photographer’s camera so it didn’t get wet in the rain. Oh yeah. I had a wee job that involved moving some Stir Stix from point A to point B — These jobs are probably the terrestrial equivalent of lily dipping. Next year I promise to paddle harder.)

Paddle the Don is all about increasing awareness of the river and its importance to the city. And raising money to undertake projects that will help regenerate it. The event is run by the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, the organization that has responsibility for the river and its entire watershed. The TRCA takes its responsibilities seriously, and organizes the event with safety uppermost in everyone’s list of priorities.

In the slide show that follows, you’ll see evidence of the safety precautions in place, everything from a set list of rules that are strictly adhered to, to personal flotation devices for all, even the canine participants (there were a few), as well as Coast Guard and police staff on hand checking each and every boat as it entered the water.

I have included numerous pictures of Cara, one of the most energetic, enthusiastic, bouncy dogs I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.  Cara is one 11-year-old yellow lab/German shepherd cross with the spunk of a puppy, who, along with her master, Jim, has been down the river more than a few times. As you’ll see in the photos, even after finishing the river run (it wasn’t all perfect — if memory serves, Cara failed to zig when the river zagged, and there was a wee bit of a tumble into the drink) all Cara wanted to do was do it again. The last photo of her in the series is of Jim beginning to take off her life jacket.

After all the boats completed the 16-kilometre journey from the put-in at Ernest Thompson Seton Park, to the mouth of the river at the Keating Channel, there was a BBQ at a tiny parkette on the southwest corner of Lakeshore where it meets the Don  Roadway. Live music accompaniment kept the mood upbeat despite the somewhat inclement weather.

Phil Goodwin, chair of the Don Watershed Regeneration Council, presented the winner’s cup to the team that raised the most money for Don rehabilitation projects, the necessity of which you can see all too clearly see in the photos taken at the Keating Channel. Um, some serious flotsam there.

Finally, the canoes were rounded up, loaded up on the canoe trailer, and trucked away ’til next year.

I can hardly wait!

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© BCP 2010