Paddling
around
Petrie Island
Load up the kayaks,
pack your lunch and
head to east Ottawa
BY JENNIFER GOLdSTONE
PHOTOS BY PAUL JEAN
¦ They blink as you glide by. Pairs of
eyes: turtles, blue herons, birds, fish.
Not to mention the beach-goers and
people fishing by the bridge. Most seem
remarkably unstartled by a long purple
kayak on a 90-minute jaunt around
Petrie Island. up in the protected bay between island and Jump in the river. City of Ottawa lifeguards
Located on the Ottawa River, across a mainland, with yachts anchored to your left keep regular hours (call 311 to check)
short bridge at the extreme north end of and fishing folks straight ahead. Now you’ll in summer.
Trim Road in Orleans, the island offers just be going against a gentle current, with plenty Then crack open your picnic and take a
the right amount of challenge to kayakers. of opportunity to observe the wildlife and seat on the rocks, in the sand or under a tree.
You can bring your own kayak and launch chat with other boaters and nature lovers. The sunset is spectacular!
from the west end of the main parking lot, Watch for turtles basking on logs, solitary Company always enhances a kayaking
or rent one from the island’s only store, blue herons stalking the reeds and the yellow outing. Think about joining the PIOC and
Oziles’. You can also join the Petrie Island water lily eruption every June. take part in their Tuesday or Thursday night
Outdoor Club (PIOC) and go with a group About 50 minutes later, you will rejoin the outings (rentals available). Or, you and your
(see sidebar). Ottawa River as the island ends upstream. friends can rent kayaks from Oziles’.
Starting from the beach, head east, Turn right and coast back to your starting As for the owner of the purple kayak, she
downstream, and let the current push you place on the beach. Pull up on the white sand stores it at Oziles’ year-round and explores
along. As you near the end of the beach beside the roped-in swimming area, climb the island’s every nook and cranny – not
turn right, head for the bridge and paddle out and take a big stretch. Overheated? unlike the elusive heron.
How to get to Petrie Island
Take Highway 174 east towards
Orleans and turn left at Trim Road.
Beach parking for 300 vehicles is
straight ahead, and costs $2 for five
hours. It’s open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
seven days a week.
What you need
A kayak or canoe, oars, bailer, rope,
whistle, life jacket, water bottle, insect
repellent, sun screen, sunglasses,
hat, picnic food, bag for garbage. And
maybe boat shoes and gloves.
Contacts
• Oziles’ is at
www.oziles.com
• Petrie Island Outdoor Club is
www.pioc.ca
• Friends of Petrie Island:
www.fallingbrook.com/petrieisland
• Water quality information:
613-580-2424 x 13219
www.OttawaOutdoors.ca OTTAWA >> SPRING/SUMMER 2008 53
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