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Georgian Bay - Spring Tune-Up!
Georgian Bay - Spring Tune-Up!

Georgian Bay - Spring Tune-Up!

$595.00 CAD
Spring Tune-Up

Shake off the winter rust and get back on the water. Spring Tune-Up is a relaxed skills-refresh weekend on the Saugeen Peninsula — day paddles, navigation refreshers, rolling clinics, camp craft, and hands-on sessions with gear from Valley, Nookie, Werner, and Immersion Research.

No pressure, no assessment. Just a weekend to reconnect with your paddling community and rebuild comfort on the water before summer.

Limited to 16 participants.

3Days
TobermorySaugeen Peninsula
16 MaxParticipants
RentalsAvailable

What to Expect

Sessions adapt to conditions and the group — locations are chosen based on what the weather gives us.

  • Coastal paddles in and around Tobermory
  • Rolling clinics
  • Navigation refreshers
  • Camp and safety skills for the new season
  • Demo sessions on gear, setups, and field repairs featuring Valley, Nookie, Werner, and Immersion Research
  • Camp craft at Mountain Trout Camp's Gillies Lake — tarp setups, fire making, and backcountry organization

Possible Locations

Weather-dependent — we pick the best terrain for the day.

  • Cove Island — sheltered bays and crystal-clear water for navigation and exploration
  • Flowerpot Island — sea stacks and turquoise shallows for boat control in gentle swell
  • Bruce Peninsula National Park — rugged cliffs and open-coast paddling
  • Lion's Head — scenic shoreline for edging, bracing, and open-water crossings
  • Cape Croker (Neyaashiinigmiing) — dynamic conditions for rescue and teamwork skills
  • Black Creek Provincial Park — protected setting for navigation, launching, and landing

What's Included

  • Three days of coached on-water and on-land sessions
  • Gear demo sessions with premium brands
  • Small group format (16 max)

Equipment Needed

  • Sea kayak — with two bulkheadsRentals available
  • Drysuit — depending on conditionsRentals available
  • PFD — mandatory, bring your own
  • PaddleRentals available
  • Pump, whistle, tow beltAvailable for purchase

Good to Know

  • This is not a certification course — it's a relaxed skills-refresh weekend
  • The event takes place on site at Mountain Trout Camp in Tobermory. Camping is available directly through them — book your own site for the duration
  • Locations are weather-dependent and confirmed closer to the date
  • Food, parking permits, and personal snacks are the responsibility of participants

Prerequisite: Paddle Canada Level 1+ skills, or paddlers preparing for Level 2 this year. Not sure? Get in touch.

Looking for more? → Close out the season with the Big Water Gathering — our fall symposium on the same coastline, focused on dynamic water and advanced coastal skills.

Questions

Do I get a certification from this?
No. This is a skills-refresh weekend, not a certification course. It's designed to rebuild your comfort and confidence on the water before the season starts.
Where do I stay?
The event runs on site at Mountain Trout Camp in Tobermory. Camping is available directly through them — book your own site for the duration. Other accommodation in the Tobermory area is up to you to arrange if you prefer.
Do I need my own kayak or drysuit?
No. Kayak and drysuit rentals are available — you'll receive details after registration. The base price is kept flexible for paddlers who already own their kit.
What about food?
Food is not included. Participants are responsible for their own meals, snacks, and water. Mountain Trout Camp has facilities for cooking at your campsite.
I'm pretty rusty. Is that okay?
That's exactly what this weekend is for. As long as you have Level 1 basics — wet exit, basic re-entry, comfort in a kayak — we'll work from there. No judgment, no pressure.
What if the weather is bad?
We adapt. Locations are chosen based on conditions, and some sessions run on land (camp craft, gear demos, rolling at Gillies Lake). Bad weather doesn't mean a wasted day.

We acknowledge that our courses in Tobermory take place on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabewaki, the Odawa, and the Mississauga peoples, as well as the Saugeen Ojibway Nation — the Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation and the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. This land is covered by Treaty 45 ½, signed in 1836.

We are especially grateful to spend part of this event in Neyaashiinigmiing, home of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, whose deep connections to these lands and waters continue today.

This acknowledgement, accompanied by action, includes contributions to Indigenous-led organizations that make a lasting impact.

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