Tag: Water Safety

Ice fishing safety all season long

Today’s post comes from year-round multispecies angler and writer Ashley Rae of SheLovesToFish.com.

Brr! Winter weather has hit Ontario hard.

As the ice freezes up across the province, anglers are beginning to venture out onto the hard water for some ice fishing action.

Ice fishing is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors during our long, cold winters. Trust me, when you’re outside hooking fish, winter passes by in a flash!

Thankfully with the wide range of equipment available today, ice fishing doesn’t have to be a chilling experience. In order to enjoy a safe and comfortable season from start to finish, make sure you are prepared by checking out the list below.

Continue reading Ice fishing safety all season long

Fall paddling safety

Fall is the perfect time to paddle.

As the temperatures cool there are no bugs and the lakes become less crowded. Plus you can catch some of our beautiful fall colours!

But fall weather can be fickle. Hitting the lake too late, failing to respect weather conditions, or paddling beyond your skill level isn’t just risky — it’s downright dangerous.

We chatted with Paul Smith, Superintendent of Kawartha Highlands Signature Site, to get some top do’s and don’ts for fall paddling safety:

Continue reading Fall paddling safety

Our free PFD Lending Program

Our visitors enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches and waterfronts in Ontario – from the barrier dune formations of Sandbanks to the Caribbean blue waters of Pancake Bay.

While swimming, boating and other water activities are a centrepiece of any Ontario Parks adventure, there are also risks associated with these activities.

We want our campers and day-trippers to stay safe when they hit the waves.

And that starts with a PFD (personal flotation device)!

Continue reading Our free PFD Lending Program

Spring flooding at Ontario Parks

Due to this spring’s high water levels, many provincial parks experienced flooding that delayed their opening or closed their trails and campgrounds.

Our staff have been working hard to help our parks dry out and re-open for visitors. Take a look at what our teams had to contend with this spring:

Continue reading Spring flooding at Ontario Parks

Enjoy the Lakes in Ontario Parks!

Be BOATsmart!® This Summer!

Another open-water season has arrived (well, almost!) and we hope you’re as excited as we are to get back out on the water! The sun is shining, the ice is officially on its way out, and Ontario Parks are starting to open up for the 2015 visiting season!

Continue reading Enjoy the Lakes in Ontario Parks!

Fall paddling

Are you dreaming of being surrounded by orange, yellow and red hues, endless landscapes and water as smooth as glass?  This means you are ready to plan your fall paddling trip!

Fall is a great time to get out in Ontario Parks; fall colours are amazing, blackfly season has subsided and the water is high this year.

Continue reading Fall paddling

Water and Boating Safety Tips from BOATsmart!

If you’ve ever visited one of Ontario’s more than 330 Provincial Parks, you already know that the scenery is nothing short of spectacular. Every square inch of it–the pristine forests, the vibrant sunsets, the cozy campsites and of course, the sparkling lakes. Many visitors take in these views from the seat of a fishing boat, while they paddle along shore in a canoe, or while they hang out on the beach with their family.

Have you experienced this? Was everyone wearing life jackets when on the water? Did you have a boat license when you were fishing with your kids in that motorboat?

 

Continue reading Water and Boating Safety Tips from BOATsmart!

Ice-Out Canoeing: A spring tradition for adventurous paddlers

It’s a rite of passage for many die-hard paddlers and it’s only a couple of weeks away….an ice out canoe trip.  So what’s the attraction?   It’s a moment of celebration, a time for paddlers to break free of the winter blahs, the sweet spot before the annoyance of spring bugs.  As long as you’re well prepared, an ice-out paddle can be the ultimate early spring adventure. Continue reading Ice-Out Canoeing: A spring tradition for adventurous paddlers

Stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive: lifejacket lending program keeps park visitors safe

Swimming, boating, fishing or just plain splashing around is part of the fun of visiting Ontario Parks and our PARKsmart Lifejacket Lending Program helps keep it that way.

Through the generous support of our sponsors, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Ontario Power Generation (OPG), BOATsmart and The Canadian Red Cross and Swim Guide thousands of park visitors are exposed to water safety messaging and are able to borrow lifejackets every year and stay safe while enjoying our beautiful lakes, waterways, rivers and streams. Continue reading Stayin’ alive, stayin’ alive: lifejacket lending program keeps park visitors safe