Canoeing the Grand

CTG BROCHURE

ALL SEASON: Reservations are STRONGLY recommended to avoid disappointment.

Q:	How many people will a canoe hold? What kind of boats do you use?
A:	Each trip cost includes 2 persons. 1 additional adult ($20 extra) or 2 additional children ($10 extra for each), age 3-12 years old may ride in the canoe as well.

Q:	When are you open?
A:	We are open 8AM-6PM, 7 days a week, including ALL holidays

Q:	How Does This Work? How Do We Take a Canoe Trip?
A:	FOR ALL TRIPS you park your vehicles at our office location (map) where our shuttles will take you to the starting point of your trip, upstream. If your selected trip is starting from our location on the Grand River and heading further downstream, we will pick you up at the end and bring you back to our location. FOR ALL TRIPS YOU PADDLE WITH THE CURRENT OF THE RIVER.

Q:	Where do we park our car?
A:	You park your vehicles at our location where our shuttles will take you to the starting point of your trip. If you are taking the Galt to Paris trip, please park your car in the parking lot beside the Petro Canada (formerly GTO) gas station in Galt.

Q:	How much deposit is required for the trip?
A:	No credit card or deposit is required except for larger groups who wish to ensure that there will be enough canoes or kayaks and shuttle space available for their trip. Large groups (8 boats or more) must prepay their trip at least 7 days in advance to ensure availability. For groups smaller than 8 boats and all other customers, payment when you check in may be made with cash, debit, VISA or MasterCard. Sorry, no cheques are accepted,

Q:	How early before the trip do we need to be at your location?
A:	You must arrive at our location at least 15 minutes before the trip so that we can get you all geared up and on your way on time. If you do not arrive at our location on time, we will be happy to re-schedule your trip for a later time/date based on space availability.

Q:	Are Your Trips Guided? Do You Provide Maps?
A:	Guiding for paddling instruction and river valley nature interpretation, is available for $40 per hour. Please contact us to request a guide's services. Guides are not needed to safely canoe the Grand River in our area and there is no need for a map, just follow the river back to our location at the arches Bridge. You will see a train bridge and the arches bridge at our location. Each trip detail webpage (example) has a map of the section of river to be traveled, along with key scenic features of the trip.

Q:	Do You Provide Lessons?
A:	Free paddling basics instruction and basic safety information are offered at no charge before you set off on your trip. More in-depth training is also available here.

Q:	What is your C ancellation Policy?
A:	Please visit our cancellation policy page here. No penalty or payment required as long as you call at least 1 hour prior to departure time so that we do not hold up others waiting for you. Group Bookings: In the case of larger groups (8 people or more), it is important that the organizer of the group collects payment from all the people that have committed to the trip as any cancellations that happen on the day of the trip are still charged at the full rental rate, whether the canoe is used by the group or not. Groups must prepay their trip at least 7 days in advance.

Q:	What are your hours of operation?
A:	We are open 7 days a week, 8AM to 6PM April 1 to October 31. Please always call ahead as there could be times that the office is closed due to weather, or when we are on a river run.

Q:	Do any of the canoe trips require you to paddle up stream?
A:	No, all canoe trips are downstream and move with the flowing river.

Q:	Are there any age or height restrictions?
A:	The persons traveling in the canoe must be no younger than 3 years of age. There are no height restrictions.

Q:	Are there any places to have a picnic? Are there toilet facilities en route?
A:	Most of the land beside the river is privately owned or owned by the Grand River Conservation Authority. You can normally find a place to pull over and have a picnic. Please remember to take all of your garbage out, as we want to keep the river clean. Canoeing the Grand offers a very pretty picnic area right on the river. It may be used by groups or other guests at no charge. There are no toilet facilities on the river routes (see this 'how-to' video).

Q:	Are there any campsites available during any of the trips?
A:	Yes, there are two campsites located right on the rivers edge: Westmontrose (tel: 519-669-2129) Bingeman Park (tel: 519-744-1002) The Bingeman Park campsite is located between Kaufman's Flats and Breslau.

Q:	What should we bring for our trip?
A:	Remember that you will be out in the sun for the duration of your trip and it is important to prepare. Here is a list of items that you should consider: Shoes that you don't mind getting wet or muddy Water Sun Tan Lotion Camera Hat Sun Glasses Food The transportation and consumption of alcohol during the canoe/kayak rental time frame is prohibited.

Q:	Are there any portages required during the trips?
A:	There are three portages in the stretch of river that Canoeing The Grand services. The weight of each canoe is about 80 pounds. The portages are as follows: Mannheim Weir Portage - Located between Freeport and Blair and is approximately 100 meters. Parkhill Dam Portage - Located between Riverbluffs Park and the GTO gas station and is approximately 150 meters with stairs. Penman's Dam Portage - located at Paris and is approximately 200 meters with stairs.
Q:	Do you have Gift Certificates available?
A:	Yes, we have gift certificates available, for any dollar amount. Please visit this webpage contact our office and we will be happy to provide you with a certificate for the amount of your choice.

Q:	Is there anything that I need to sign?
A:	There is a waiver that you will need to sign before your trip.

Q:	Can anyone sign your waiver?
A:	No, only persons 18 years of age or older can sign the waiver. You may not go on a trip without a signed waiver and therefore please have your parent or guardian come in and sign the waiver for you before the trip.