Paddling Through the Heart of Ottawa

I can't remember who it was but someone, some time ago, asked me to make a video where I paddle the length of the Rideau Canal Skateway.

I mean, they didn't want me to do it in the dead of winter, when our canal is frozen over and turned into the world's larges skating rink. The person wanted me to cover that same area during the months where the canal is filled with water and the lockstations are opened for traffic.

Although, I can now picture myself bundled up in the cockpit with skate blades strapped to the bottom hull. That'd be something.

Because I'm between jobs (I'm not yet calling myself retired), I have the benefit of taking my kayak out whenever I want to. And so, last week, I strapped my kayak to the roof of my Niro, threw my gear into the trunk, and drove to Hartwell Locks, near the Arboretum and the Central Experimental Farm.

I could have called the Paddlefolk, who are officially retired, but I wanted to do a solo paddle. I just wanted to get in the water, paddle my route, and get back out. I haven't done a solo paddle since I ventured out to the S.S. Pumper, in 2021.

I was overdue for some me-time on the water.

I have to start out by saying that the parking fee at the Hartwell Locks is extortionate. The last time I parked at the locks at Black Rapids, I'm pretty sure I paid $4 for the maximum allowed time, which I think was three or four hours. That was only a couple of years ago.

A couple of weeks ago, when I kayaked at Petrie Island, parking cost $2 for five hours. That was a real bargain.

However, at Hartwell Locks, it cost $15 for four hours, plus there was a surcharge of 70 cents for the privilege of me scanning a QR code and jumping through hoops to get my car registered.

I'll never do that again. And neither should you. In retrospect, I should have driven to Old Ottawa East, where I believe there is street parking for up to three hours. For free. I had brought our kayak cart to help me get the kayak from the car to the water, anyway, and there's a doc on the canal near the Flora Footbridge.

That's where you should go if you want to paddle on the canal.

I've documented this paddle, covering the parts of the waterway that is frozen over for skating, in winter, and then some. Here's my YouTube video. Have a look:

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I don't remember who asked me to make this video but this one's for you.