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Paddling, Ecology & Ancient Mountains @ Diamond Key |
Taking a break from kayaking on an island in Northeastern Georgian Bay - photo – Ian Cowan
July 24-28, 2010 $ 1095.
Trip Overview
We'll return each night to cabins and explore from here by kayak each day with a yummy lunch and snacks on route. We might paddle 4–5 hours each day with breaks every 1–2 hours. You need basic paddling & rescue skills.
The plan is to be shuttled out to the Diamond Key Lodge by motor boat on the morning of Day 1. After an orientation and settling in, we’ll have lunch. Then it’s off to the boats for an afternoon of exploring the local waters. Each day we’ll plan a daytrip in the areas to the north, south, and west of camp, returning each evening for supper and relaxation. David Pearson and Gerard Courtin will lead walks and paddleabouts among the islands, giving you lots of opportunities to ask questions and discover the wonders of these ancient islands. You’ll come away with a much deeper appreciation of why this Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve is so very special.
Things to Know About Diamond Key Cabins
Relaxing after a day of kayaking, swimming and exploring at Diamond Key Lodge - photo – Ian Cowan
Diamond Key is nestled in the northeastern corner of Georgian Bay amongst some of the finest freshwater paddling waters in the world. Please know that it’s not a lodge in the sense of a southern Ontario full service facility. It is an extremely well-kept traditional Georgian Bay fishing camp with a complete septic, drilled well, showers and the best sunsets in the world.
Meeting Place & Site Description
Unless otherwise notified, we’ll gather at White Squall Paddling Centre at 8:45am on the first morning. From there we’ll sort out vehicles and travel up to Key River Marina (a 45 minute drive). We’ll then load up and take a boat westwards out Key River to the camp situated where it meets the open Bay (a 45 minute trip). Imagine a group of cabins tucked in the rock of the Canadian Shield looking out to the islands and channels of the northeastern Bay. The cabins have bedrooms, kitchen area, inside washrooms and shower –and a cozy woodstove for a rainy night. It’s a little piece of paradise.
See the maps and directions.
Meals & Bedding and Your Own Room!
For this season there is a $50./night charge included in the trip price to be at Diamond Key-we’ve absorbed some cost and Diamond Key has done the same, in order to make it as economical as possible. Couples will get their own room, and others will share a room with another trip-mate of the same gender. If you would like your own room, there is an extra charge of $50./night. White Squall staff (along with your help we hope!) will prepare meals inside the cabin which has a full stove and fridge. The camp will provide a clean sheet/pillow. Please bring your own towel and sleeping bag along with your regular paddling clothing and gear. The swimming is awesome, so don’t forget your suit!
Snacks, Drinks, Fishing & Socializing!
We’ll serve wine with the evening meals. If you would like to bring along favourite beer or wine, please feel welcome. We simply ask you to do this is in moderation to ensure everyone’s safety. Favourite snacks, games or a small musical instrument are always fun to have along. If you fish, this is the place- and if you forget your licence, you can purchase one at the Lodge.
Boats
Due to the logistics of getting boats out there, in advance we’ve put 4 single & 2 tandem poly sea kayaks fully equipped out at the camp. If want to use your own boat, it may be possible, however there is no discount and you’ll be asked to pay for a separate boat shuttle, so please contact us if you want to pursue that option.
Please let us know right away if you want your own room or want to bring your own boat.
Register Now
Fossils in Limestone Rock -
photo – Graham Ketcheson
 David Pearson is a professor of Earth Sciences at Laurentian University in Sudbury. We have been fortunate to have him join us on our geology kayak trips on Georgian Bay for many years now. David is along to help interpret the geological landscape for those interested and he does an excellent job of explaining the earth features that we see around us.
David was a former host of the award winning television show "Down to Earth" (MidCanada TV 1991–1998), a program that dealt with environmental concerns in Northern Ontario. He also hosted other media shows: "Understanding the Earth" (TV Ontario), as well as CBC Northern Ontario's "Radio Lab" science commentaries (1982–1997). In 2000, he was the recipient of the E. R. Ward Neale Medal of the Geological Association of Canada – awarded to an individual who is making significant contributions to the public awareness of geoscience. In 2003 he was awarded the McNeil Medal of the Royal Society of Canada for public communication of science. In 2002 he received the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Medal for environmental work in Sudbury and in 2004 the Northern Life "Community Builders" Award in the Environment category. He also writes regular editorial page commentaries on environmental topics for community newspapers in Ontario as a member of the Osprey Writers Group.
 Gerard Courtin is our resource staff for the Ecology Trip – and he’s the reason it’s one of our most popular offerings. Gerard Courtin has been part of White Squall for a very long time. A serendipitous collaboration – we taught him a bit about kayaking – he continues to teach us a lifetime of things about the natural world. Gerard's early schooling was in England and then he emigrated to Canada in 1953. After working on a farm for a year, he embarked upon a BSc at the University of New Brunswick.
Married in 1960 to Barbara, he found work at Brookhaven National Laboratory for two years before doing
his MSc and PhD in alpine ecology at the University of Illinois. In 1968 he signed on with Laurentian University to teach plant and alpine ecology. Gerard gets around – he's been up to Devon Island in the high arctic with the International Biological Programme. He's taught for years at Cornell University's Marine Lab off the coast of Maine as well as at the Centre for Northern Studies in Vermont. Just to make sure he doesn't get bored, Gerard conducts workshops for Ontario Police in forensic botany and ecology. Gerard is an award-winning teacher and professor Emeritus at Laurentian. So where does White Squall fit in? Well sir, Gerard is also our resident ecologist, guide, storyteller, and all-round nice guy. He's completely dedicated to his friends and students. With Gerard on board, you'll get the best information and energy one could ever ask for in interpreting the world around us.
The Squall Trip Staff consists of a lead guide and an assistant guide, with an apprentice leader often coming along for training. The lead guide is trained in Advanced Wilderness First Aid and has advanced kayak and rescue skills along with formal White Squall guide training. Typically, they are certified national instructors with Paddle Canada and have many years of tripping and guiding experience. The assistant guide is likewise highly trained and is often in a co-leadership role with the lead. The apprentice has been chosen for his/her outdoor skills and is in a learning position. The most important thing they need to learn is how to make the morning coffee!
Special Clothing or Equipment Needed
kayaking from Diamond key Lodge photo - Ian Cowan
Please refer to the Pre-trip Information Package for a complete list of to bring. We’ll also send you that list upon registration. Follow it carefully and if you have any questions, please get in touch.
Suggested Reading, Maps, & Charts
Participants can mail-order these items through us by simply calling (705) 342-5324 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
and we'll pay the shipping cost. (Yup FREE Shipping!)
Wind Weather and Waves – Environment Canada (great Bay weather text)
Ghosts of the Bay: A Guide to the History of Georgian Bay – Lynx Images
Natural History of Georgian Bay  (276k) by Gerard Courtin
A Brief History of Georgian Bay (172k) by Graham Ketcheson
Cool Facts About Georgian Bay (12k) by Graham Ketcheson
There are several excellent basic kayaking texts available – contact us for for suggestions.
Maps: 41H/15 Key Harbour
Charts: 2244
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