A man killed in a canoeing accident in Sudbury, Ont., last week was not wearing a lifejacket when first responders found him, police confirmed.
Experienced paddlers say people should consider basic lessons before getting on the water
Jonathan Migneault · CBC News
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A man killed in a canoeing accident in Sudbury, Ont., last week was not wearing a lifejacket when first responders found him, police confirmed.
On Aug. 13 a canoe with three people on board capsized in Crowley Lake, at the heart of Sudbury’s Kivi Park.
Two people on board were rescued by kayakers, but a 26-year-old man was found dead the next day.
“That’s something that never should have happened on a lake that small,” said Andre Stewart, an experienced paddler from Sudbury.
Crowley Lake is just over one kilometre in length and a popular destination for people who visit the park. Canoe rentals are available nearby.
Gordon Baker, a senior manager with Algonquin Outfitters, said interest in canoeing “exploded” after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It seemed to be like everybody was going to Algonquin Park or at least getting outside to do stuff,” he said.
“That trend seems to have continued. I mean, maybe this summer seems to be kind of flattening out a bit, but it's still very busy.”
Baker said canoe outfitters keep their customers’ safety as a top priority.
Algonquin Outfitters, for example, won’t let clients rent canoes in bad weather.
While he shows clients the basics before they get out on the water, and tells them they need to wear their lifejackets, Baker said what they do once they are out on the lake is ultimately out of his control.
“We're on a lake with cottages and a little bit of other traffic,” he said. “So very often, you know, cottagers will help people out or someone will call us. We have a safety boat. We can go pick them up if necessary.”
All outfitters, he added, have clients sign liability waivers because of the risk involved.
Kevin Callan, an avid paddler and author known as the “Happy Camper”, said it’s great that more people are getting out on the water in canoes and kayaks.
He said, though, that people new to the activity should take time to educate themselves on the basics.
“People get so excited, but they don't have the skill set yet,” he said.
Callan said just a couple of courses can get people comfortable enough to safely steer and control a canoe.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jonathan Migneault is a CBC reporter/editor based in Sudbury. He is always looking for good stories about northeastern Ontario. Send story ideas to jonathan.migneault@cbc.ca.
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