QC Travel Adventure Spring 2017

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QUINTESSENTIALLY CANADIAN

ADVENTURE CANADA | Issue 07

Spring | 2017

Get Closer To One Of Montreal’s Best Events Of The Summer

ROGERS CUP

Spring Destinations Relax Awhile

Muskoka River X The Longest Single Day Expedition

Race

Plus Healthy Tips With Kathleen Trotter

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CONTENTS

16 The Rogers Cup 2017 WomenAviva Centre, TorontoAugust 5-13th MenUniprix Stadium, MontrealAugust 4-13th

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20 28 Timberwolf Tours Canada

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Rocky Mountain National Parks Stunning vistas along the famous Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper

Canoe Kayak Canada

100 Paddling events across Canada 20 Its’s Not Spring Till the Ice is Out

Enter your guess for when the ice is out and win 24 Algonquin Outfitters Muskoka River X

The Longest Single Day Expedition Paddling Race in the World

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30 Healthy Tips For Spring

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Kathleen Trotter Shares Some Tips to Accomplish your Goals

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“War canoe racing is a uniquely Canadian event that will be a highlight at the Canoe Kayak Canada’s biggest event – the Canadian Sprint Canoe Kayak Championships taking place in Welland, ON this year from August 22-26” photo: Mike Dembeck / CKC

COME pADDLE WITH US. It’s Who We Are. C’est Notre Nature.

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100 Paddling events stacked up on Canoe Kayak Canada’s 2017 calendar

2017, the year of Canada’s 150th birthday, will be a big year for paddling competitions in Canada. Considering the sport’s deep roots in Canadian heritage, it is fitting that this special year will be celebrated with so many paddling events. Canoe Kayak Canada, the national body for competitive paddling in Canada, is proud to release a preliminary events calendar on its website featuring 100 paddling events taking place across Canada and 19 international events to be attended by National Teams.

View Online Events Calendar: canoekayak.ca/events/

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By the numbers • • • • • • • •

100 events 35 featured events 22 international events 42 marathon events 14 slalom events 31 sprint events 15 wildwater events Most popular month: July with 28 events

Featured Events

Canoe Kayak Canada will host several National-level paddling competitions this year. To select athletes for National Teams, there will be two sets of sprint and one set of slalom Canadian Team Trials.

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Two Junior and U23 World Championships are taking place just a week apart in the second half of July. For canoe slalom, those Championships will happen in Britislava, Slovakia starting July 18. For sprint, the Championships will take place in Pitesti, , Romania starting July 27.

Canada will send teams to the ICF World Championships for Sprint, Slalom, Marathon and Freestyle.

The Freestyle World Championships are the final event of the year and will stretch the calendar to December 2 by taking advantage of warmer weather in Argentina.

Five National Championships will take place for sprint, whitewater, marathon, surfski and canoe polo over the summer. Sudbury, ON will host the Canoe Polo National Championships in July and the Marathon Canadian Championships in August. The Canadian Surfski Championships will take place in Squamish, BC. Whitewater Championships will take place in Ottawa and Sprint Championships will round out the circuit in Welland, ON, to be followed by the Canadian Masters competition at the same venue the next day. There are two Sprint Canada Cups on the calendar including one in Ottawa to coincide with Canada Day in the capital

and one in Shawinigan, QC the following week.

Featured events are displayed on the events calendar with photos along with a red backdrop for international events and brown backdrop for national events.

International Circuit

The International Canoe Federation will host three Sprint World Cups on consecutive weekends starting in May in Europe. The Canadian Team will compete at World Cups 2 and 3. Sprint World Cup 2 will be combined with the Paracanoe World Cup. There are five Canoe Slalom World Cups on the calendar.

In preparation for hosting the Canoe Polo World Championships next year, the Welland International Flatwater Centre will welcome international teams to a test event this year from September 8 to 10. The Open Canoe North American Championship will take place in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC.

The Games this year

It’s a post-Olympic and Paralympic year and there will be two prominent Games taking place in Canada plus the World Games are taking place in Poland. The Canada Summer Games are taking place in Winnipeg starting July 28 and sprint paddling events are scheduled for the second week of the Games. Toronto will host the North American Indigenous Games from July 16 to 23 and paddling events will take place in Welland, ON. Canada’s Women’s Canoe Polo team will compete at the World Games from July 28 to 30.

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Local Events

You don’t have to be an elite athlete to participate in every event. There are many local competitions featured on the calendar that are open to public participation, including the Great Muskoka Paddling Experience, the Cpl. Nathan Cirillo Memorial Cup Challenge and many others. With a variety of races of different disciplines, distances and levels of competition, Canoe Kayak Canada’s line up of events has a wide offering for families, communities and champions. More events will be added in the coming weeks so be sure to check back regularly.

Unique Events

There are some events that score particularly high when it comes to the ‘wow factor’. The Voyageurs Rendezvous 150 is one such event as teams will paddle 1,600 kilometres from Rocky Mountain House, AB to The Pas, MB to retrace a traditional trading route in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday. The race pays tribute to Canada’s portaging past and makes use of traditional voyageur canoes. Teams of nine are still being recruited for this feat taking place over the month of July.

Speaking of history, the Yukon River Quest is the World’s longest annual canoe and kayak race stretching from Whitehorse to Dawson City. The Classique Internationale de Canots de la Mauricie will cover 200 kilometres over four days from La Tuque to Trois-Rivières, QC. This race has been a spectacle since its inception in 1934.

Bucking the river theme for the longhaul races is the Lake Ontario Crossing where paddlers will race from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Toronto on Stand Up Paddleboards, or SUPs. And while not quite in Canada there will surely be a few Canadian West Coasters making the trip across the boarder to Bellingham, Washington to take part in a duathlon that transcends seasons and ecosystems with the Ski to Sea race.

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About Canoe Kayak Canada Canoe Kayak Canada is the national governing body for competitive paddling in Canada.

Canoe Kayak Canada has been one of Canada’s top performing summer sports having won an impressive count of 24 Olympic medals. Canoe Kayak Canada is a member-based organization which includes an intricate network of clubs as well as provincial, territorial and divisional paddling associations. Elite National Team athletes proudly represent Canada at various competitions around the globe – most notably the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Pan American Games, ICF World Cups as well as Junior, Under 23 and Senior World Championships.

Follow the action Subscribe to Canoe Kayak Canada’s email list at canoekayak.ca to stay informed on the excitement of the season. Stay social by following @CanoeKayakCAN on Twitter and Instagram, and connect on Facebook.

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Get closer to the Rogers Cup this summer

T

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ennis fans across Canada can start making their summer plans as the top women’s and men’s players in the world, who are also some of the best athletes in all of sport, will be heading to Aviva Centre in Toronto from August 5-13 and to Uniprix Stadium, in Montreal, from August 4-13 to compete for one of the biggest titles in tennis.

“It’s going to be a very exciting year of women’s tennis, and we can’t wait to welcome the world’s best back to Toronto in August,” said Karl Hale, Rogers Cup Toronto tournament director. “There is no better way to truly experience the incredible athleticism and skill of these athletes than live and in person. We look forward to a week of fantastic tennis, and we will be working over the next six months to put on the best Rogers Cup ever.”

world as well as legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who faced against each other in the Australian Open final in January, are expected to travel to Montreal in an attempt to capture their third and fourth Rogers Cup titles, respectively.

The tournament, which is the third-oldest in all of tennis has been home to the best players in the game over its history.

World no. 4 Simona Halep and world no. 2 Novak Djokovic are the defending champions. Serena Williams, holder of 23 Grand Slam singles titles and arguably the best player in history, made the semifinals in Toronto in 2015 and claimed the title in 2013 and 2011 while Andy Murray, currently the no. 1 ranked player in the

Our Canadian contingent seems to be getting stronger every year. Led by Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic and 2013 Rogers Cup semifinalist Vasek Pospisil as well as our fast rising teens Félix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov, there has never been a better time to show off your patriotism when you come to Jarry Park.

“It’s a great time to be a fan of the ATP with the game’s current legends at the top being pushed by the next generation of stars like Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev, Jack Sock, & Nick Kyrgios,” said Eugene Lapierre, Rogers Cup Montreal tournament director. “The battle for no. 1 is heating up between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray who have won the Rogers Cup seven times between them. Not to mention that Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are putting their injury woes behind them and are raring to go in 2017.”

In addition to offering sports fans and event-goers the unique chance to witness

the world’s greatest female and male athletes up close, Rogers Cup is an all-encompassing fun entertainment experience, featuring first-rate performances, dining, shopping, promotions, and activities.

Tickets are now available for every single session of tennis, starting the first day of main draw action on Monday August 7 through to the finals on Sunday August 13. Tickets are available for as low as $15.

Multi-session and full-week packages are also still available, and start at just $150 per seat.

A sport for life starts with kids

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While stars like Milos Raonic and Eugenie Bouchard are putting Canadian tennis on the map around the world, back home the sport is also rising as more and more people of all ages pick up a racquet.

One of the fastest-rising demographics?

Kids under 12. A recent study conducted for Tennis Canada shows that frequent play last year – meaning at least once a week in an eight-week season – grew eight per cent from 2015 to 161,000 kids under 12 across the country. A safe and active sport, tennis provides many benefits for young children such as teaching social skills, providing a way to stay active, and imparting values such as perseverance, dedication, and pride. And most important of all, it’s fun!

picking up a racquet

Kids Tennis has grown over the past several years in order to better serve young ones just starting out. It is easier than ever to try tennis and succeed for the first time.

Smaller racquets and nets plus softer and larger balls ease kids into the sport, allowing them to learn tennis at their own pace but also see results right away. Starting on a mini-court, the progressive approach sees children make their way to a full-size court and regulation equipment as they grow – similar to sports like soccer and hockey which have modified versions for younger children.

Once kids start playing, there are many avenues to keep them in the game. Besides playing with their friends and family at local courts or clubs, leagues exist in many cities. Similar to houseleague hockey or soccer, this would put kids into teams where they play weekly matches. If kids want to start competing, Rogers Rookie Tour events ease children into the competitive stream, providing multiple playing opportunities in a match setting.

But ultimately, the goal of Kids Tennis is keep children physically active, healthy, and having fun. Tennis can make a positive difference in their lives for many years, as it is a sport that can be played throughout one’s whole life – from five to 85! It’s not an unusual sight to see three generations playing together on one court.

One of the most accessible sports out there, tennis can bring families together.

And it all starts with Kids Tennis: putting a racquet into a small child’s hand, and seeing their joy as they hit that tennis ball across the net. Again and again.

All one needs to start is a racquet and ball, which can be purchased for a small cost.

Kids Tennis nets are also available and are simple to set up anywhere – a backyard, driveway, park, or gymnasium. Kids can even start playing by just hitting a ball at a wall, which will help them to improve their rallying skills even more.

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Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not spring Until the ice is out 20

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Ahhhh, spring.

The season of renewal has all of us watching for firsts: the first green shoots to emerge from beneath the snow or mud, the first robin to catch the first worm, the first buds followed by the first leaves to unfurl in the canopy above. In Algonquin Park, there’s another first watched closely by thousands, with both bragging rights and prizes riding on an accurate guess of its timing: the day the ice goes out.

Ice-out signals that spring has indeed sprung and that paddling, that beloved of Algonquin Park pastimes, can soon begin. Algonquin Outfitters (AO) has been having fun with ice-out for years, asking people to predict the date that Lake Opeongo, the largest lake in Algonquin Park, is ice free. They call it when their Opeongo water taxi, which carries backcountry paddlers and their canoes or kayaks to various drop off points on the lake throughout the paddling season, can safely get from the AO store at the south end of the lake to the top of its north arm.

That date has varied widely: from March 29 in 2012 to May 15 in 1972. AO provides historical ice-out data, regular updates, and current photos to help wannabe winners make their best guess, but really it’s up to the whims of Mother Nature. As of the end of March this year, there was still an estimated 20 inches of ice on Opeongo – 2017 may give the latest ice out date a run for the money.

You can’t wait until the last minute to guess in hopes of improving your odds, though. Algonquin Outfitters closes the contest before it becomes obvious when the ice will go out.

This year, that’s April 9 or earlier, if the weather warms quickly and the melt speeds up. With their experience watching the ice go out year after year, even seasoned Opeongo staff don’t always guess the date correctly. (See the whims of Mother Nature above.)

The contest is open to anyone, near or far, as long as you are over 18 or a parent submits for you and you send in your guess via algonquinoutfitters.com before April 9. But don’t wait too long, just in case they have to close it early.

Up for grabs are $25 coupons for AO canoe rentals – one for each person who correctly guesses the 2017 ice-out date – and the chance to win a $100 AO gift card.

While you’re waiting to hear if you’ve won, it’s the perfect time to start planning your summer canoe trip. Sometimes, anticipation is half the fun.

Algonquin Park Ice Out Reports by Algonquin Outfitters: http://algonquinoutfitters.com/algonquin-ice-2017/ Algonquin Outfitters 2017 Ice out Contest for Algonquin Park Be sure to enter right away before the ice goes away, current contest entry deadline is April 9th. http://algonquinoutfitters.com/2017-algonquin-park-ice-contest/ Algonquin Park official Ice Out page: http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca/news/ice-out.php

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Where to find the events. How to make your stay peaceful or an extreme adrenalin charge.

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2017 Algonquin Outfitters MUSKOKA RIVER X

Over the September 15-17, 2017 weekend paddlers from across Canada, the United States, and as far away as Africa will be converging on Muskoka, Ontario to paddle the Algonquin Outfitters Muskoka River X; the Longest Single Day Expedition Paddling Race in the World. In the spirit of the explorers of the 1800’s, teams paddle fully loaded with expedition gear, do not receive any assistance or support, and will not stop until they reach the finish line. Teams start their expedition in the town of Huntsville and circumnavigate the Muskoka River system that includes 4 lakes, 20 portages and a distance of 120km. Much of this adventure is completed in the darkness of night, often blinded by thick fog. Teams have 24 hours to finish. In addition to this “Classic” course, the Muskoka River X offers a two-day 220km Coureur des Bois version that takes teams through with beauty and wilderness of Ontario’s Algonquin Park. A shorter 80 km “Sprint” version of the Classic is popular with paddlers new to the sport of expedition paddle racing.

Regarded as the “toughest single day canoe race in the world” and one of the top ultra-distance paddling races in the world the Algonquin Outfitters Muskoka River X has reason to earn this reputation. On average, only about 60% of teams make it to the finish line! The fastest time for the 130km Classic is 13 hours and 17 minutes by Muskoka resident Glen Dawson and his teammate Mike Vincent from Manitoba paddling tandem canoe. Other records have also been set for solo canoe, kayak and stand-up paddleboard (SUP).

One great features of this race is the ability for spectators around the world to watch the teams in real-time. Each team is equipped with a GPS transmitter that registers their location every few minutes and marks their location on a map.

Friends and family can watch their team’s progression on-line. This is a very engaging system that allows anyone, no matter where they are in the world to participate in this event.

The Algonquin Outfitters Muskoka River X started back in 2012 as a casual conversation between adventure racing teammates Rob Horton and Mike Varieur; an event people told them couldn’t be done and that no one would sign up for. After a year and a half of planning they launched their first event in 2013 and proved naysayers wrong.

Registration has more than doubled since the inaugural event and it would seem that there is no shortage of people willing to take on this challenge.

Over the past few years the River X has increasingly drawn the attention of world-class athletes.

Top-ranked ultra-distance SUP paddler Bart de Zwart has travelled in from Hawaii to complete since 2014. Last year Canadian Olympic triathlete

turned SUP racer Simon Whitfield participated. Other regulars include Canadian Olympic Rowers Tim and Pat Turner who have won the Coureur des Bois the last two seasons. But the vast majority of people come from all walks of life and participate for a variety of personal reasons: Backcountry trippers are looking for a new challenge. Families and friends come to reunite.

Others view the River X as an opportunity to challenge themselves against Mother Nature, or against themselves. Universally however, personal strengths are discovered…and rediscovered.

For Rob and Mike, this is what they love most about the event and what it represents, “It brings the best out of people as they dig deep; physically, emotionally and spiritually.”

So what’s next for Rob and Mike? Planned for the weekend of June 17-18, 2018 is the Algonquin Outfitters 24 Hours of River X. A first of its kind race in North America, this 24 hour marathon paddling race will challenge solo, tandem and relay teams to complete as many laps of a 12km course as possible in 24 hours. With a central campsite and transition zone, this is as much a paddling festival as it is a race. This format is very popular in mountain biking, a sport that both Mike and Rob also love. And having participated is several of these biking events themselves they see great opportunity in offering this event to the paddling community. So far, feedback has been positive and registrations are coming in.

For more information on the Algonquin Outfitters Muskoka River X, the 24 Hours of River X and to watch the acclaimed documentary of the River X, visit www.muskokariverx.com.

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Timberwolf Tours Canada What better way to spend a vacation than hiking high mountain passes, with flowers in bloom, alpine birds singing a tune and scenery that cannot be beat. Perhaps paddling a fast river, full of fresh water right off the mountain tops, keeping watch for rapids in the water and deer and moose along the shore.

Exploring the sights of Western Canada with a knowledgeable guide and fun-loving group makes an excellent vacation. Summer in Western Canada, brings long sunny days, bright blue skies and plenty of wildlife out to stretch after a long winter. Guides who are familiar with the land, know the ideal hiking trails for each season as well as the local history and interesting sights that make these tours unforgettable. Tours range from five to twenty-one days long. Over this time the international group of solo travellers and couples quickly become a group of friends.

Thanks to the high caliber of guides, thoroughness of preparations and quality of the equipment, travelers are ensured a safe and memorable experience. Timberwolf Guides always accompany the group during their day hikes and are eager to explore the hidden natural treasures away from the busy highways and towns. Mike Kuhnert, owner and founder of Timberwolf Tours, began by guiding the first groups in 1986. Together with his daughter, Corinna, and a team of excellent, enthusiastic guides and staff they have been operating small group tours for over thirty years.

Being active and outdoors is the highlight of the tours which are a mix of guided day hikes, sightseeing and outdoor activities.

Timberwolf Tours showcases the inspiring natural and cultural wonders in Western Canada to visitors from all over the world through well planned, active and outdoor focused, multi-day tour itineraries.

One popular nine day hotel based tour highlights the Rocky Mountain National Parks. Stunning vistas along the famous Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper are the backdrop for specially selected rewarding day hikes. Comfortable hotels make the base for each day hike and allow for time to visit the holiday towns of Banff and Jasper in the evenings.

A second favourite tour is seven days of camping on Vancouver Island.

Among the rewards awaiting hikers are ancient rainforests, wildflower meadows, blue alpine lakes, glaciers and cascading waterfalls. During this guided camping tour trails range from easy walks on the beach to fullday alpine treks. Another highlight is the kayak excursion to Vargas Island with a night of wilderness camping on the beach. Travellers have the benefit of hiking with an expert who knows the terrain in all kinds of weather and trail conditions and has information on the local history, flora and fauna. Camping under giant cedars, the sound of the waves, a crackling camp fire - Life is good.

Timberwolftours.com

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Healthy Tips For Spring

With Kathleen Trotter Share these tips and accomplish your goals this Spring

1.

Bio Kathleen Trotter is a Globe and Mail contributor and author of Finding Your Fit. Kathleen has been a personal trainer, Pilates specialist, and fitness writer for over fifteen years. Kathleen makes regular TV and media appearances, is the featured trainer in the Globe and Mail’s Fitness Basics video series, writes for publications including the Huffington Post and Healthy Directions Magazine, and blogs for Flaman Fitness. Kathleen holds a Master of Exercise Sciences from the University of Toronto and a nutrition diploma from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition.

Connect with Kathleen through her website KathleenTrotter.com or on social media. Twitter KTrotterFitness. Instagram KathleenTrotterFitness and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KathleenTrotter/

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Take your workouts outside - especially on days when you are feeling blue!

The sun and exercise are both natural “happy drugs”. Meaning, working out in natural light will provide a double dose of seratonin, our body’s natural “happiness” neurotransmitter. Being active outside will give you the strength to get through a hectic day at work. As I always tell my clients “the worse your mood the MORE important your workout”. Exercising - especially outside - always makes me feel better! Find a local ravine and go for hikes, dust off your bike and go for a spin, or try running. Running is such a convenient “do anywhere” workout”.

2.

If you decide to run, make sure you also prioritize strength training. Get strong all over. Running is hard on the body. I always tell my clients to “get in shape to run, don’t run to get into shape”. Do exercises on one leg (consider standing in the middle of a bosu and trying to balance), strengthen your bum (bridges/squats/lunges), and your core (planks and side planks and V sit).

Also, progress SLOWLY. A good rule for beginners to increase your long run by about 10 % per week.

3.

Make long-term and short-term goals AND don’t keep your goals a secret. Tell your friends and family what you want to accomplish. Stating the goal out load, so that other people know about your plans, can help keep you on track.

In addition, write your goals down. Writing your goals down will help you be more accountable to yourself. Revisit this process every few months to assess your progress. If you have not been successful, brainstorm why. Then form new goals based on the new-found knowledge.

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Finding Your Fit 4.

Make sure all your goals are realistic and specific. Don’t plan to workout for two hours everyday if you know your schedule will not allow it. Take the time to plan how you will successfully implement the goal.

For example, instead of stating a non-specific goal such as “I will exercise,” re-frame the goal so it is more specific. Instead say, “I will workout three times per week for 45 minutes.”

5.

Listen to your body. If you have been hibernating all winter make sure to progress gradually. Start with a relaxed twenty minute walk and increase your duration and intensity from there.

6.

Get an exercise buddy. Working out with a friend will make the activity more enjoyable and will help keep you accountable.

7.

Whenever possible, pick exercise activities you enjoy. You are much less likely to skip the workout if you actually find it fun. Try joining a sports team or taking adult dance lessons.

8.

Be sun smart - wear a hat and sunscreen, and always stay hydrated.

9.

Can’t get to the gym? On days you can’t make your regular workout make sure to pepper exercises into your daily life. Do calf raises as you brush your teeth, walk at lunch, and stretch and do core exercises at your desk.

For example, try the Seated V hold.

Seated V Hold: Start by bringing your bum close to the edge of your chair.

Keep your back straight and lean roughly 10 degrees backwards. Hold for 10 seconds to a minute.

10.

When you desperately don’t want to train use my “10 Minute Rule”. Tell yourself that you have to move for a minimum of 10 minutes, but if you still want to stop after 10 minutes, you can. The rationale is that breaking the workout into chunks will make moving seem less daunting. Plus, 10 minutes of exercise is better than nothing, so if you do stop, that’s okay.

Usually, once you have done 10 minutes, you will continue and finish the workout.

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Photos: Evelyne Pollock, Mark Loberg, Michael Edwards, Kirsten Lorenz, Amanda Warren, CTC Mueller

THE TRUE NORTH FU F

FO L LO W U S