Georgian Nordic Paddling

Georgian Nordic Paddling, part of the Georgian Nordic Outdoor Activity Centre, runs a paddling program during May, June, July and August. Practices are at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the William Street Park.

Note that times may change based on numbers. And if you can’t attend all the sessions, no problem. We encourage you to join anyway.

The focus is on teaching marathon canoe racing and this primarily involves boat-handling skills at a higher level than is required for recreational canoeing or tripping, although, of course, these skills are very useful for non-competitive canoeing.

Marathon canoeing is a style of paddling as much as a competitive discipline. The focus is on efficient boat control and efficient stroke mechanics. The techniques are applicable to any canoeing, from racing or tripping in recreational canoes or racing canoes.

Races are generally 15 to 60 kilometres, sometimes with shorter race classes for less-experienced paddlers. The longest race in Ontario is the 200-kilometre Kingston to Ottawa (K2O) race.

Other paddling instruction is also available, including for kayaking.

Gord Cole is the coach, and he’s sometimes aided by experienced participants and guest coaches. Gord is a certified marathon coach and a certified dragon-boat coach. He’s been coaching marathon canoeing for more than 25 years, racing marathon canoes for about 35 years and has been canoeing in general for decades, winning his first men’s canoe race in 1968.

Gord has won a dozen provincial C1 championships, a couple of C2 championships, several national age-group championships and one world age-group championship in marathon.

Membership Information

Georgian Nordic Paddling supplies boats and paddles. You must be able to swim and you must bring an approved PFD (lifejacket).

Membership price $75, which covers insurance and equipment.

To join, contact us at any of the email addresses below.

Contact Us

To get more information and to sign up, contact us at the numbers or email
addresses below:

Gord Cole: 705-774-3191 [email protected]

Nicole Boyd: 705-773-8365, [email protected]

You can also follow our activities on Facebook or Instagram.

Thanks and happy paddling!