Beginner River Kayak April 28-29

Beginner River Kayak

The Beginner River Kayaking skill level is designed to introduce the novice or relatively inexperienced kayaker to paddling Class I Rivers. The emphasis is on mastering the fundamentals of river kayaking,along with a strong grounding in water safety and safe kayaking practices.
There are no kayaking prerequisites for the Beginner River Kayaking level. Paddlers may choose to take the Sea Kayaking “Introduction to Kayaking” or "Intro Whitewater Kayak" 8 hour fundamentals course as groundwork if desired but it is not necessary or expected.

Duration: 2 days

Dates:  April 28-29, 2012 (Day 1 on Lily Lake, Day 2 on a Class 1-2 River with an option to portage around major rapids)

          

Prerequisites: none, except a desire for fun and no issue getting wet!!

Cost: $125/person not including equipment/$150 with Kayak/Skirt/Paddle  + HST 

My Favourite Place - Minister's Island

My Favourite Places

Hi, Rob here (Daytripping Owner). I am back. As I mentioned last week I thought I would take a few minutes every week to share with you a special place I have found in my many years of outdoor adventure training. Most locations will be in New Brunswick, but I may dabble into Maine or our neighbouring provinces. Hopefully after reading you will be inspired to go and enjoy this spot.

Quick legal blurb – I, and Maritime DayTripping Inc., cannot be responsible if you venture out there and hurt yourself, get lost trying to locate ‘My Favourite Places’, or something worse. We should all be responsible for our own actions. I am just letting you know of a cool spot I have been to. Okay?

Minister’s Island

A week ago I had the pleasure of returning to Minister’s Island, near St. Andrews. It was a beautiful day for a visit. I had not been here for several years, since my family lived in St. Andrews. On this particular day I was working but had some time to stop into some of the buildings of the Van Horne Estate.

Minister’s Island is a 500 acre ‘part-time’ island, as at low tide you can visit by driving on the ocean floor, high tide you must boat to the island. To get to the island you must drive to St. Andrews NB via route 127 (off Route 1). Before arriving in town follow signs for the Bar Road. 

The Island has fantastic hiking/mountain biking trails where you are sure to see whitetail deer that live on the Island. The Island offers incredible easy access ocean paddling, in a fairly safe area, which can be rare for the Fundy Coast due to currents caused by the tides. Some caution is needed for a few locations, and there is some exposure paddling on the back (southern side) of the island. If you kayak around the island, be sure to look for the interesting geological changes as you transition from the Perry Formation sedimentary rocks (Sandstone and Conglomerate), see evidence of a massive geological dyke, and evidence of basalt (lava!!) that was laid by a giant ancient volcano (nearby Chamcook/Greenlaw Mountains form the cone of this volcano). 

Visiting the island during the summer months may come at a small cost. See http://www.ministersisland.net/ for info. Keep an eye on your watch if you drove over, as your road may disappear for a few hours leaving you stranded on the island – Keep Exploring if this is the case.