The Case for Joining A Guided Paddle With Moonwater Creative

Paddling is an amazing entry-level recreational activity. It’s quite possible to simply get in a kayak or canoe, even on a SUP, and start to paddle. But there are unique ways to increase your enjoyment and shorten the learning curve, and planning a human-powered excursion in the great outdoors can definitely be improved with and benefit from specialized expertise. A fully immersed experience in the tranquility of nature with the proper skills transfer, the correct gear and safety equipment, and comfort around and on the water is key to enhancing your enjoyment. Such is the case for joining a guided paddle with Moonwater Creative!

Do You Have Paddle Experience?

Moonwater Creative begins every paddling event with a riverside safety and instruction talk, sharing the basics of paddling. This calms any nerves, clears up mistaken beliefs, and ensures an enjoyable event. There is also time to practice at launch and during the guided paddle, where the team can provide tips and feedback (if you want it). Forward stroke, sweep stroke, paddling in reverse and understanding how and when to turn your vessel in rough water or for boat wakes are all covered in depth. And the support of a guide on hand while you put this information to use goes a long way to ensuring your interest in paddling is supported.

Have You Paddled the Grand River Before?

The Grand River is approximately 310 km in length, from its source in Dundalk to its mouth at Port Maitland, where it flows into Lake Erie. It was designated a Heritage River in 1994 (one of only 42 in Canada,) and there are many towns and cities along its path which have developed and grown over time. Some have paddling access and tours, however guided paddles at Six Nations offer an experience second to none. Here the river current is very slight, and paddling it is almost like being on a lake. Six Nations Tourism offers unique, private On The Water tours that incorporate the history of the river together with cultural knowledge and the Indigenous perspective of life in the Carolinian Forest region. And Moonwater Creative (their guided paddle partner) features a full calendar of special events that help you get to know the river better on your own terms – from sunrise to sunset paddles, Women on the Water events, meditation and paddling paired together, and so much more! The tourism team and Moonwater Creative know the river. And that local knowledge is invaluable, helping to make a guided paddle one of the best experiences for you or your group, based on your skills, available time, not to mention river and weather conditions.

Do You Like to Have Fun?

Who doesn’t?! That’s a silly question. In a guided paddle with Moonwater Creative, guests learn first that they’ll be safe on the water. The safety talk and the hands-on experience may as well be one and the same because guides are trained and certified, provide foundational information in great detail, and are always within immediate paddling distance to support the group, no matter the skill level. Second, take the expectation off your plate of being your group’s coordinator and relax and enjoy the experience of a guided paddle with a pro – great for individual bookings, a group, or the whole family! Third and finally, your guide could have first-hand knowledge of walleye, art, raccoons, smart weed, hiking trails, places to eat, blue herons, camping, wild turkeys, racing, basswood trees, you name it! This area is rich in history, biodiversity, and hidden gems that visitors wouldn’t necessarily know, and guides can point out. Every guided paddle conversation starts off from how beautiful the area can be and can end with almost any type of detail about it you may wish to learn. And learning is all part of the fun. What better way to understand and develop for an area than through a guided paddle with a local!

To plan your guided paddle experience with Moonwater Creative, visit the Facebook and Instagram pages for more information and booking details. Upcoming paddle events include fall time sunrise and sunset paddles, New Moon Meditation and Full Moon Meditation and paddle events, a Women on the Water group session, and an upcoming Witch Paddle in partnership with Six Nations Tourism! Stay tuned to the Moonwater Creative social pages for 2024 season-ending events and the opening of the 2025 paddling season here on the Grand River!