Last year’s Lock & Paddle at the Peterborough Lift Lock was a record-breaking event, with 328 canoes and kayaks filling the two chambers.
In fact, it was so successful that many disappointed paddlers were turned away. So, this year, the third annual Lock & Paddle on Sunday, June 24th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will be something different.
In celebration of National Canoe Day and Free Lockage Day, the Peterborough Lift Lock National Historic Site of Canada, in co-operation with The Canadian Canoe Museum and The Land Canadian Adventures, is making the event more inclusive by setting a new goal: to get as many paddlers as possible through the Peterborough Lift Lock between noon and 3 p.m.
And the event will feel more like a paddling festival, with entertainment and local vendors on-site for the duration of the event.
Another big change for his year’s event is that paddlers wishing to participate will first have to register — for free. Registration begins Sunday at 10 a.m. at two locations: at the top side of the Peterborough Lift Lock at the McFarlane Street Bridge parking lot and at the bottom side of the Peterborough Lift Lock.
Paddlers are encouraged to arrive early, to ensure they are registered and to have the opportunity to visit the vendors before the lockage begins at noon.
The vendors will be located at the bottom side of the Peterborough Lift Lock, along the trail, and will include Ben’s Kettle Corn, Fresh Urban Plate, Kawartha Buttertart Factory, Parks Canada – Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site, Pedal Parlor Co., Peterborough and the Kawarthas Tourism, Rocky Ridge Water, Salmon River Kayaks, Smoke House Port Perry, Sugar Daddy, The Land Canadian Adventures, and The Canadian Canoe Museum.
Note that parking is not available at either registration location, although paddlers and their boats can be dropped off. Organizers are asking paddlers to register at the top side location at the McFarlane Street Bridge if possible (and paddle to the Lift Lock from there), leaving the bottom side location for paddlers with accessibility concerns.
Parking
While parking will not be available at either registration location, there are other places where you can park that are within walking (and paddling) distance to the Peterborough Lift Lock:
- Trent-Severn Waterway Headquarters – 2155 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough
- Eastgate Memorial Park – 2150 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough
- Beavermead Campground – 2011 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough
- Rogers Cove – 131 Maria Street, Peterborough
Paddling to the Peterborough Lift Lock
To allow paddlers with less experience or accessibility issues to register and put in at the Peterborough Lift Lock Visitor Centre, experienced paddlers should choose one of the following put-in locations. Note that if you are going through Lock 20 – Ashburhnam, you need to allow an extra 45 to 60 minutes to transfer and paddle to the Peterborough Lift Lock.
- Beavermead Campground (2011 Ashburnham Dr.) – 5-minute paddle to Lock 20, 45-60 minutes to transfer and paddle to Peterborough Lift Lock
- Rogers Cove (131 Maria St.) – 5-minute paddle to Lock 20, 45-60 minutes to transfer and paddle to Peterborough Lift Lock
- Millennium Park (130 King St.) – 20-minute paddle to Lock 20, 45-60 minutes to transfer and paddle to Peterborough Lift Lock
- Del Crary Park (100 George St.) – 35-minute paddle to Lock 20, 45-60 minutes to transfer and paddle to Peterborough Lift Lock
- Warsaw Swing Bridge (Parkhill Rd, E. and Canal Rd.) – 20-minute paddle to Peterborough Lift Lock
- McFarlane Bridge (McFarlane St. & Ashburnham Dr.) – 10-minute paddle to Peterborough Lift Lock
- Trent-Severn Waterway Headquarters (2155 Ashburnham Dr.) – 5-minute portage to launch at the top and west side of Lock 20, 20-minute paddle to Peterborough Lift Lock.
All participating paddlers need the following gear: a PFD (paddlers must wear it), a sound signalling device, a buoyant heaving line, and a bailer for each boat. Also bring sunscreen and a hat (or an umbrella or raincoat depending on the weather forecast) and a water bottle.
VIDEO: Lock ‘n’ Paddle 2017 at the Peterborough Lift Lock
Boat and gear rentals
If you want to rent a boat or gear, you can get it at one of the following local rental suppliers:
- Salmon River Kayaks (Peterborough Lift Lock)
- Pedal and Paddle (Millennium Park at the Silver Bean, 100 King St., Peterborough)
- Wild Rock Outfitters (169 Charlotte Street, Peterborough)
- Adventure Outfitters (1828 8th Line, Lakefield)
- Beavermead Campground (2011 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough)
- Cottage Toys (180 Charlotte St., Peterborough; 96 Clementi St. Lakefield)
The Land Canadian Adventures is offering an all-inclusive guided paddling experience for Lock n’ Paddle from $50 per person. Book your space.
Important notes
- You must be wearing your PFD and your coloured registration wristband to enter the Lift Lock chambers.
- For safety reasons, stand-up paddle boards will not be permitted at this event.
- No alcohol is permitted at this event.
- By participating in this event, all paddlers agree to be photographed and filmed.
For more information, visit the Lock & Paddle page on Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site’s website at www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/activ/eclusez-pagayez-lock-paddle.
