Destination Paddled: Petrie Island, Orleans, Ontario
Date: June 6, 2019
Number of Paddlers: 4
Temperature: 18C (65 F)
Distance paddled: 8 km (5 miles)

First paddle back in Canada for 2019. “Normally” we do this paddle in May but this year has been a record setting cold and wet spring. This is an “annual” paddle for us. Petrie Island floods. Sometimes it floods WAY more than normal. This was a “record flood for the Ottawa River. What it does is allow us to paddle “ON” the island and to do some “glade paddling”. We were also able to paddle on the bike path on the mainland because of the flooding. Great way to tune up the paddling skills for the paddling ahead.

We have paddled on the Ottawa River for 15 years and never have we had such ideal conditions. The winds were very low, the temperature was perfect and the sun was out in a nearly cloudless sky. To put icing on the cake, the water was flat!

Petrie Island is on the Ottawa River and is a very popular beach in the summer in Ottawa, Ontario. When the water recedes there are numerous hiking trails where one can commune with nature.

Saw some Canada Geese and a few turtles.

Enjoy the pictures.