World Rivers Day Guided Paddle
September 24, 2023

Cost:

• Your own canoe or kayak – $145/person
• Voyageur canoe – $225/person

See “Skill Levels” below, to find out which travel option is best for you.

Age limit: For the safety of everyone, kids 8 years old and older are welcome. Anyone age 18 and younger must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian.

Price includes:

• Professional river guides
• Powered safety raft escort
• Bus transportation between Agassiz and Hope
• Professional educators to help you understand this part of the river.

Note: This is a safe-catered event; bring your own drinks and packed lunch.

Voyageur participants will be expected to paddle, but we will be going down river with the river current so only moderate physical fitness is required.  Participants will need to be able to manoeuvre in and out of a large canoe, and walk in the water to the watercraft across rocky, uneven river shore.

Canoe/kayak participants will be paddling in a high-volume river. The stretch of river between Hope and our terminus at the Agassiz Bridge is a mix of class 1 and class 2 water rapids so participants in their own boats must have river paddling experience and be physically able to independently manoeuvre their boats in turbulent water.  Currents will assist paddling, so the trip is moderate in terms of physical demand.  Participants will be getting into the watercraft by travelling across rocky, uneven river shore (there is no dock).

**Please be aware that our programs run regardless of weather conditions, unless we determine that it will affect the safety of participants.

Paddle Your Own Boat
People bringing their own canoes and kayaks are welcome.  Entrants must have river experience. The Fraser is a moving, high-volume river and the stretch between Hope and Agassiz is mostly Class-1 water, with a few Class-2 water sections. Currents will assist your paddling, so the 25-km trip is moderate in terms of physical demand.

If you choose to bring your own watercraft, please note that you are required* to bring your own safety gear as well. We will be checking to make sure everyone has brought:

1) one life jacket/PFD for each person on board, 2) one bailer or manual bilge pump, 3) one sound signaling device, such as pealess whistle, 4) secure buoyancy fore and aft

Boat Safety Check List; PDF 69 kb

One buoyant heaving line at least 15 metres long is not required but highly recommended.

*We reserve the right to turn away participants/watercrafts if deemed unsafe or the required equipment is absent. Participants’ registration fee less a $50 administration fee per person will be refunded.

Voyageur Canoe
No river experience needed. These large canoes hold up to 20 paddlers and offer good stability. Each Voyageur is navigated by an experienced river guide (from the rear). Paddling is easy and no experience or special equipment is required. You’ll paddle the river as the Stó:lo and early settlers did!

Sunday, September 24, 2023

9:00 AM – Check in beside the Fraser River in Hope, followed by an introduction and safety talk. People with their own boats may drive directly to the Hope launch site to unload there if the vehicle is capable of driving over rock and sand. Otherwise, park on Wardle St and carry boats down.

10:00 AM – Flotilla of boats departs from Hope, traveling 25 km downriver to the Agassiz Bridge, stopping for lunch and sights of interest along the way.

4:30 PM – Arrive at Agassiz Bridge. Shuttle bus takes participants back to Hope (25-minute drive). Staff watch over boats at Agassiz Bridge until participants return with their vehicles to load canoes/kayaks and head home.

Google Maps pin of meeting location

• Be aware that times are approximate. Start and end times may vary slightly depending on speed of the group, weather conditions, etc.

Hope Mountain Centre will have a staging area (tents and tables and signs) set up on the beach off of Wardle Street (approximately 586 Wardle St) in Hope. Keep an eye out for signage. Park on Wardle Street.

Google Maps pin of approximate meeting location

Note a shuttle bus will bring participants back to Hope at the end of the day to return to their vehicles. Participants with their own boats will then need to drive in their own vehicles back to the Agassiz bridge to pick up their boats where staff will remain to watch over the boats and any belongings left there.

Participants must use their own vehicles to get themselves and their boats to the start location. Map of meeting location.

A shuttle bus will take participants from Kilby Historic Park to Harrison Lake at the end of the day.

Note: there will be someone who remains at Kilby to watch the boats belonging to these participants until they can come back to pick them up.

Those attending with others could do a car drop on either side if they prefer to depart immediately. Space on the shuttle bus is limited to 56 people.

Participants should be prepared for the demands of changing weather and all belongings should be packed in waterproof bags (especially electronics!).

• This event is self-catered, please bring sufficient water for the day, lunch and/or snacks for yourself as needed.
• Hat, sunglasses and sunblock
• Sturdy footwear that you’re OK getting wet! —ie water shoes or secured sandals are good; wool socks inside old runners etc work well too
• Toque and gloves
• Rain jacket and rain pants
• Waterproof carrying bag
• Warm layers (non-cotton)
• String for glasses (it can get very windy!)
• Complete change of clothes
• Camera
• Binoculars

Liability Release Form

Everyone age 19 & over must sign a liability waiver form in order to participate in this program. Please take time to read this form because you must understand and agree to it when you sign it. By signing it you are waiving certain rights, including the right to sue. This form will be available to sign when you check in. Please seek legal counsel if you have any questions.

Informed Consent Form

Everyone age 18 & under must have an informed consent form signed by their parent or legal guardian in order to participate. Please contact us if you need this form prior to arrival at this program.

Boat Safety Check List; PDF 69 kb

Sorry no refunds!