Hello from the Backwaters of Carling Township

A gang of sled dogs just galloped by on the lake so I guess it's winter now. The way I can really tell is my shoulder aches from trying to start Jesse's snowmobile. Why do things not work when it's minus 25 and all you want is to sit by the fire.

Lots to tell you so I'll get right to it.....

Our new brochure is posted on line at whitesquall.com and we'll be mailing it out on her majesty's service in the next few weeks.  A few highlights:

Senior Youth Kayak Exp. - a challenging 11 day leadership paddle from Parry Sound to Little Current (I'm really excited - we've subsidized costs to encourage as many as possible)

Some other trips include: Bustard Island Holiday, Squall Summer Sojourn at Diamond Key, Paddling-Ecology-Ancient Mountains, Stars on the Rocks, The REAL McCoy, Digital Photography for Paddlers, Yoga-Pines-Paddling, Exploring the Archipelago & much more!!

Fred Eaglesmith is coming to our 25th Anniversary Paddle Party on the Saturday night of the May long weekend (git your tickets early!) Having Fred return is pretty exciting - he tours throughout North America and Europe - so having him here on Cole Lake is gonna be fun. The weekend will be one big shindig for paddlers - tons to do and try - Kate's Cafe will make a triumphant return with the best burgers and coffee this side of the chicken shed.

We have an extensive offering of Paddle Canada courses to address the increasing demand for top level instruction and skill development. A great way for you to develop efficiency and knowledge as a paddler and we also offer sea kayak instructor training. Our Wilderness First Responder Bridge course was a sellout last year so it's back - along with Wilderness Advanced First Aid and Wilderness First Aid all taught by Wilderness Medical Associates - industry leaders in backcountry medicine. Anyone who ventures outside would benefit from these courses - it's good fun and quickly builds your confidence to be able to handle first aid situations on trip. I hope more teenagers will take them - it comes in handy for any outdoor work and looks really good on the ol' resume!!

New boats are arriving this winter - we want to remind you that we'll match anyone's price for 30 days after purchase throughout Ontario. Better yet, until the end of February with every boat we'll give you a free pair of snowshoes to take your mind off paddling. So if you're wandering the drafty halls of a boat show and see the one of your dreams - don't forget us up here as we may well have that same boat and can store it for you til springtime. You'll get the best price, free storage and some cool shoes to dance in the snow with. Oh yeah - we'll take it back if it isn't your cup of tea - so you really get the best of all worlds.

We have new hulls coming from Valley Canoe Products, Current Designs, Boreal, Maelstrom, Surftec, Delta, Nimbus, Seaward, Wilderness Systems, Perception, Bluewater & Souris River and more. I think we really do have one of the largest selections of boats in Ontario - and a quiet little lake (presently frozen with yapping dogs on it) for you to test drive them on.

Hokay - time to go - thanks for listening! tim

View a Video of sled dogs on the lake!