CCB Canoe Excursion

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Sixteen of us had a paddle in the same canoe. Fourteen Canadian Council of the Blind members, family, volunteers, friends and two staff from The Canadian Canoe Museum climbed into a 36 foot voyageur canoe for an excursion around Peterborough Little Lake Friday, Aug 28, 2026. We were encouraged and assisted by the Museum staff, steersman Peter Vooys and tour guide Simon.

Getting us all from the main museum building into the boat was a major event in itself. It meant gathering in the museum coffee shop, going to the learning center, signing waivers, being fitted out with life jackets, being measured for and handed paddles. Most of us had paddled before, but for those inexperienced we were given a lesson in paddling.

We arrived at the learning center where staff had info to impart vocally and we signed waivers. Most can sign visually once the signature line is pointed out. Some need to use a signing tool which is a business card size card with a slot cut out leaving room enough for signing in. The signing card is lined up with the signature line and the person signs inside the cut-out. A place was provided to leave valuables in the building. Life jackets provided for everyone were donned. Paddles provided were measured by the person’s height—paddle on ground to around nose height. Paddles issued were symmetric, palm grip, with a beaver tail shape blade.

We needed all the help we could get to embark and disembark the canoe. Embarking was one at time with help from both sides. Stepping down was scary, first onto the seat then onto the bottom. Some of us found it easier or less threatening to sit down, find their footing, then slide in. It was challenging even for sighted ones as steps down were deep.

Once all fourteen were seated, steersman and tour guide embarked and we pushed off from the wharf. Our guide tried to get us paddling in unison by using a dragon boat call and singing to produce rhythm. It worked for a bit. Are you kidding trying to get and keep blind people coordinated with others? Not only that, we were given permission to rest our paddles and stop paddling when we wanted! We did not go far; we did not need to go far to get the idea of what it was like to paddle for hours or days on end.

Our guide pointed out local landmarks: Trent-Severn Waterway Lock 20, train bridge, Holiday Inn, Del Crary Park, the fountain, Little Lake Cemetery, Beavermead beach. But also how canoes were made, used to transport goods, portaged, how fast they travelled, and how far.

Around Little Lake, under the train bridge we paddled against the current and at times against gusts of wind. Turning around near Silver Bean Café meant turning into line with the current – more resting even less paddling needed.

Coming into the dock we learned a whole different way to paddle--sidewise to provide thrust.

Getting into the canoe was one thing but getting out was equally if not more interesting. We all had our own special way—even the sighted ones.

Off to the learning center to leave our life jackets and pick up our belongings and again take pics. We had an official photographer in Simon Treviranus who had been taking pictures from the start. I thought there must be hundreds.

A good time was had by all with a call to repeat next year.