A refuge for peace and quiet
Once you're outfitted with the basics -- including a life jacket, a hat and sunblock -- sea kayaking can be enjoyed on any of Canada's many waterways: at sea, on a lake, a slow river or even in a marsh, where you can watch beavers build dams while the deer feed on the shoreline. Some people, like Ladner and his wife, even take their kids along. I'm a little less ambitious, and perhaps a little more selfish. As Johnson puts it: "Water is one of the last refuges for peace and quiet. You're in a whole other world. You've escaped."
Great places to paddle
To find that perfect kayaking spot inquire at your local paddling store; or check websites such as the Canadian Recreational Canoe Association's. In the meantime, here are three top spots to get you started.
• Newfoundland
Sea kayak in calm water past towering glaciers, breaching whales and secluded coves at Notre Dame Bay, an hour or so from Gander International Airport. For more information, call Explore Newfoundland Inc. and Marble Mountain Cabins 709-634-2237 or (toll free) 1-800-497-5673.
• Ontario
Frontenac Provincial Park, a half-hour drive north of Kingston, boasts 5, 200 hectares of rugged terrain. As you paddle by white pines on granite cliffs, you'll spot black bears, deer, fox, eagles and hawks. For more information, call Frontenac Outfitters at 613-376-6220.
• British Columbia
The British Columbia coastline is a kayaker's paradise: gorgeous mountains rising up from the sea, spectacular fiords and killer whales at the Johnstone Straight (for the intermediate to advanced paddler). Visit Ecomarine.com for more on tours, equipment and preparing for your ideal expedition.
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