Champion kayakers Maddy Schmidt and Simon McTavish share Ontario’s best paddling spots

There aren’t many people better acquainted with the best spots to go paddling in Ontario than Ottawa native Maddy Schmidt and Oakville-raised Simon McTavish. Both accomplished sprint kayakers on the Canadian National Team, they’re out on the water usually twice a day, with their sights set on the Tokyo Olympics (they recently began a vlog on their journey to the Games).

“It’s a really good way to get your mind off other things,” says McTavish of the sport’s appeal. “When you’re in the boat, it’s so tippy, the only thing you can focus on is what you’re doing at that time.” While he describes kayaking as technically challenging — at least if you’re training to go for a gold medal — it can be accessible, too. “There’s every level to it,” he explains. “You can have a plastic kayak anyone can balance.”

What the couple looks for are flat and well-protected bodies of water that “don’t kick up too much wash,” says McTavish, meaning minimal motorboats and limited current are key. Schmidt adds, “We like rivers because you can go for long periods of time, and lakes if they’re flat and it’s the calmest day out.” Here are a few of their favoured spots to paddle in the province.

Cootes Paradise, Hamilton

A part of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Cootes Paradise is a protected nature sanctuary noted for its migratory birds and other wildlife. (That means padding is off-limits in certain areas during nesting season in May and June, so heed the signs.) The expanse includes a 320-hectare river-mouth marsh, 25 kilometres of shoreline — and “no motorized boats” policy. “There’s a big park around it, nice creeks to go down and a bunch of hiking trails,” says McTavish. “It’s really beautiful.” Bring your own canoe (rentals aren’t available here) and launch at Princess Point.

The Breakwater, Toronto

The couple particularly appreciates the breakwall that starts by where the Humber River meets Lake Ontario and extends to Ontario Place, ensuring calmness by the shores. “It’s protected the whole way. The last time Simon and I went, it was super nice despite being a pretty windy day,” says Schmidt. You can launch from anywhere along the barrier — say, Sir Casimir Gzowski Park, Sunnyside Park or Budapest Park. Or if you’re up for endurance exercise, you can do as these two do: Launch higher up, on the Humber River itself. McTavish points to the Humber Marshes as a choice starting point. Plus, there’s a nearby paddling company, Toronto Adventures, with kayak, canoe and SUP rentals available.

Mooney’s Bay, Ottawa

These are the waters that Schmidt knows best: Growing up, this is where she began honing her skills with the Rideau Canoe Club. “There’s a bit of a current, but you can paddle forever, for hundreds of kilometres [south on the Rideau River] — you just have to portage over some locks,” she says. “Then if you go the other way [north], you get onto the Rideau Canal and you can paddle to the heart of downtown Ottawa.”

The Star understands the restrictions on travel during the coronavirus pandemic. But like you, we dream of travelling again, and we’re publishing this story with future trips in mind.