Horned Owl Kayaks

Yes, Grande Pointe Park is open to the public, and rivers are not owned by anyone, so you don't need us if you have everything you need to go alone. We recommend launching under the bridge just north of Grande Pointe Park.

What if the weather's not good?

We will monitor the weather and contact you if it looks like bad weather during your booking. It will be up to you decide to continue or to change your booking to another date.

Can I reschedule my booking?

Yes. If you need to reschedule, we ask that you contact us as soon as possible, and provide a minimum of three hours notice.

Can I cancel my booking?

If you decide not to come, we can't provide a refund as your payment didn't go to us. We will accept reschedulings and transfers if you contact us prior to your booking time.

Is the river dirty?

As the river crosses the prairie, it picks up mud, which gives it its brown, murky colour. This colour does not mean it is polluted or unsafe to kayak on.

Is it hard to paddle upstream?

The current in the Seine is very slow - about 1km/h. Going against the current will be a little slower than going with it, but definitely not hard.

Is it hard to paddle against the wind?

The river banks are mostly treed so the wind has minimal effect on your speed. Some of the more open portions may be more difficult on a very windy day.

Is there whitewater or rapids?

No.

Do you get back to the start if you keep going?

No, you need to turn around to the starting point.

How do I know when to turn around?

We will describe the route in person before you head out. There's no danger of going too far - you will be physically blocked from progressing further due to the floodway.

Will the way be blocked by fallen trees, branches, or dams?

Due to erosion or beaver activity, trees and branches may block your way. In some cases, you can push your way through the obstacle. The kayaks are tough and won't break, but tipping over is a possibility. If pushing though does not seem possible, you will need to go to the riverbank, disembark from your kayak, portage around the obstacle, and put yourself back in. This isn't terribly hard, but you might get muddy. Alternatively you can turn around at that point.

Throughout the year, we regularly go on the river and clear blockages, but conditions can change daily. We'll let you know the last time we went and if there were any spots of concern.

When is the best time of the year to go?

Our season runs from May to November while the river is clear of ice. It's hard to pick a best time, but here are some considerations:

May can be flooded.
July and August can have very low water.
Vegetation will be barren until late May, green from late May to September, fall-like September to October, and barren again in November.
It's not fun getting wet when it's cold.

I have never kayaked before - is this suitable for me?

We have had many first-timers do rentals. Some have had experience with similar watercraft like canoes, and some haven't. Some minimal physical requirements are:

Ability to maintain balance.
Ability to stand from a seated position on the ground.
Ability to swim 10 meters with a life jacket.
Ability to walk on slippery or muddy terrain.

We think kayaking on the Seine is one of the easier ways to try kayaking, and we can provide a short lesson on the basics of kayaking, but there are other local options that are probably even easier for first-timers - like Fort Whyte Alive.

Is kayaking hard or dangerous?

Kayaking the Seine does not require a high degree of effort or skill. The current is slow and there are no rapids to traverse. There will sometimes be obstacles such as fallen trees you will need to navigate around. Realistically, the worst that can happen is your kayak tips over.

What happens if I fall in?

Our adult kayaks are sit-in, but you are not enclosed in them; it's easy to slide out if you tip over. The children's kayak is sit-on-top.

You are provided with life jackets, so if you tip over in water deep enough that you can't touch the riverbed, you'll need to swim your kayak to the bank, dump the water out (for sit-ins) and get on again. You'll get wet and muddy, but it's not dangerous.

Will I get wet?

If you fall in, yes. Other than that, probably a few drops/splashes.

What is your relationship with the charities you list?

We do not have an official relationship with any charity. We just chose to make donating to these charities the "payment" for the kayak rental. We want to let people experience the nature of the area while supporting organizations who help protect it.

Can I pay you when I arrive?

We require prepayment so that your booking can be reserved. It also proves that the payment is going to charity. If you have an extraordinary situation, we can make alternate arrangements.