Planning for 2012

Row Kids Row 2012! 

The map for the 2012 row is complete!

We learned a few lessons from last year:

- This trip is amazing.....and we want to do it every year

- The first few days of portaging are not for the faint of heart...and an experience not to be forgotten (who portages a tin boat, motor and gas tank .....really....who?), but we've cut them out of this year.

So, some changes:

- We are starting a few days later and throwing a kick-off party on Friday night, September 9th, in Port Severn.

- We've shortened the trip to 9 days, and doing the whole canal part of the trip

- We'll supply seats in boats along the way, arrange the camping and lock fees so all you have to do is raise money and show up. 

We've attached the map for this year's trip, and registration will open on April 1st. There will be 8 seats available per day, so sign up early, or if you want to bring your own boat, you can do that too.

THANK YOU!

We have now been back from our row for just over a month. Thanks so much to everyone who helped us out, joined us, donated money or time along the way. We've posted lots more pictures of the trip on our facebook group site, hopefully you'll join us there.

For clubs who are interested, stay tuned for how to get involved.

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Dave Fowler and Danny Fowler. Our dedicated safety boat crew. They were both with us for the entire trip. Unbelievable. They both learned all the ins and outs of Robin's character at the 4 month mark. They perfected their navigation skills and their tarp hanging skills. Unfortunately Danny lost the fish catching competition to Jeremy...too bad Kathy let one of 'the big one'...wait, the only one, go with her lack of netting skills. Sorry Danny:) It was also a close call as to who could assemble/dissasemble camp the fastest between Kathy and Danny. Dave, sorry we stayed in a hotel and went to an awesome restaurant the one night you were gone.....it was the BEST fish and chips I ever had.

Jim Hogarth - I think he joined us at least 5 times - hosting our first day breakfast at his cottage on Indian River, loading the pontoon boat while Dave 're-organized' all our stuff, joining us with Jurgen and Meghan for the day and a night in the motel (best fish and chips), and finally joining us for a night of camping that dropped below zero and included the loss of all the air in the air mattress....surprisingly he didn't have much to say the next morning other than...'I gotta go':)

Frank, Wenda and Hudson - our hosts on Sparrow Lake. An amazing day of eating, hot tubbing and relaxing. Perfect timing after the first chunk of rowing.

Rowers, safety boat helpers and visitors who joined us: Jocelyn and Mike and Edith Splatter, Shannon van Baalen, Joe Rashotte, Peter Fowler, Gerrette Bradshaw, Tom Bradshaw, Debbie, Howie and Abby Fleisher, Dani Wilson, Sue Fowler, Geoff and Lise, Mary and Cindy Rusak, Meghan Hogarth and Jurgen Schubert, Ron and Barb Pigeon, Andy and Wanda, Rich and Marilyn McCarthy, Matt McCarthy, Danielle Lapointe, Paige Klinkman and Jodi Klinkman, Brian McCarthy.

Leaving Buckhorn

Wow the second last day. At first it seemed like the trip would take forever but now it seems like it went so fast. We still have two days of rowing left and we are looking forward to every stroke.


- posted by Hatchets

Location:Regional Road 36,Lakehurst,Canada

Bobcaygon big boys

Well the big boys left us a little room to park our ride. The safety boat looks so small next to the house boats on the Trent Severn Waterway. Next year we might think about renting one of those sweet rides! You can see our quad in the background on shore this day (sept 15) was a 30k row and we had some help from Jurgen from the Barrie Rowing Club.


- posted by Hatchets

Location:Bobcaygon

Robin helping with coffee

- posted by Hatchets

Location:Same bat place

Morning coffee

This is the beginning of Mormon coffee and breakfast is at eight. This has become the routine but this morning it's just a little cooler so I'm going make some extra coffee. If you want some coffee too just let me know.



- posted by Hatchets

Location:Lock 35 Rosedale

Top of the locks

Today we rowed from the Kirkfield Lift Locks to Rosedale, at the top of the lock system, and through Michell Lake and Balsam Lake. We talked to quite a few people interested in rowing in Bolsover, one of which has a model B erg that he thought he'd have to replace but found out he could fix. He is looking forward to retiring after next year and hopefully joining the Peterborough Rowing Club to learn to row. We've had lots of people all along the way who are really excited to see us rowing or who are interested in what we're up to. So far we've had support from four rowing clubs along the way and are pumped to co-plan with Muskoka, Orillia, Severn and Barrie for next year and to set some fundraising goals for the row kids row. We also just picked up a message that we missed a school in Orillia that wanted to come out and try rowing, so Ron, we'll have to pas the number on to you so Orillia can get involved. It's an elementary school.

The next couple days will be 30km rows, but the last couple of days have only been about 20km and we've had some time in the afternoon to do some fishing and boating on out safety boat.




Robin hanging out in the tent.



Group shot with Jason and the sunflowers Tyne Portage Lock.




Jeremy teaching Robin to drive.




Uncle Danny deciding what lure to use to try to catch up to Jeremy in fish count.

- posted by Hatchets

Conquered Lake Simcoe

 Rowing across Lake Simcoe

Coming up to the first lock along the Trent Canal - Gambridge.

Today we rowed the 18km remaining across Lake Simcoe after leaving McRae Provincial Park at 7am this morning. The swells were about 1.5 to 2 feet, but not too much wind (from the South West) and no white caps to speak of. We rowed out past Strawberry island and set the compass to 140deg to head for Gambridge. We arrived after about 2.5 hours in Gambridge and had lunch, and then decided to go another two locks to Portage (lock 39) based on the recommendations of the lockmasters. Happy to be off the water around 1:30pm after about 45 km and just over 5 hours of rowing the day before, we are now spending the afternoon setting up for some potential weather, for some guests visiting for dinner and updating our blog and sorting through pictures.

On to Lake Simcoe

It was a sad departure from Frank an Wenda's and their awesome place on Sparrow Lake this morning. We were rowing by around 9:30am and were joined today by Cindy and Mary Rusak from the Muskoka Rowing Club in Bracebridge.


Once we were through Sparrow Lake we were on the lookout for Mike and Dianne's place on the Severn River, the Severn River Rowing Club, since we knew they were out on the water for a practice. We JUST missed them apparently, but we caught them and the other Severn towers down on the dock after practice before we got to the Couchiching lock.


Then we went through the Couchiching locks and headed down the 17km of lake Couchiching. After dropping off Mary and Cindy in the Port of Orillia, we had a bight to eat and decided to try to make it to McRae provincial park o get a head start on the day tomorrow and because there wasn't really much of a spot to camp in Orillia.


posted by Hatchets

Day 6!

Today was a short row and a beautiful day. We had a great night last night visiting with two families from Queen's Cove Marina. Colin built a great cooking fire we were able to do our hamburgers on. We woke up and had French toast, eggs, yogurt, fruit and syrup. Those who joined in on the Saturday pancake breakfasts this summer at hatchets, you can just imagine. We rowed from swift rapids (lock 42)





to some family friends on sparrow lake. These friends own a washing machine, clothes line, hot tub, amazing screened in porch and beds all of which we have used or will be shortly.





We had our first bucket donation for the pontoon boat bucket from Cam, at the swift rapids lock, thanks Cam!! I think we need to make a sign for the side of the pontoon boat to say row kids row donate here, or something to that effect. We had a wake board boat slow right down to nothing and still manage to keep the wake boarder up so we didn't get a wake, pretty impressive. So far the muscles are feeling good, and the hands and butt are starting to get used to it. Dani and her two daughters joined us this morning on the pontoon boat, as well as Frank and Wenda, and their dog Hudson. Finally, our portaging star Danny's wife Sue came to meet us for a visit for the weekend too. Today we need to touch base with Orillia and Peterborough for our arrivals there and make some plans.

Thanks to everyone who is following! It is really fun to see everyone's reactions to seeing a rowing shell on big water and in the locks, and visiting with everyone along the way.

For those who don't know we are doing this rowing trip to raise awareness for our favorite sport to try to get more people involved in this great 'for life' sport, and also raise money towards kids rowing for the clubs taking part, in our case raising money for the Hudson T-11 that we are rowing that we use for our kids camps.

Donate online at www.rowkidsrow.eventbrite.com.


- posted by Hatchets

Location:Sparrow Lake, ontario

Big chute!

We just went through the COOLest lock! We are now sitting at the Big Shoot restaurant getting some lunch. Debbie joined us for the row from Port Severn to Big Shoot and maybe we'll see her in Sparrow lake. If anyone else wants to join in just let us know. We want to see you!









Our friendly neighborhood lock staff, Crisco Ted. These guys are professionals.

- posted by Hatchets

Location:Big Rock Rd,Kilworthy,Canada

Big chute!

We just went through the COOLest lock! We are now sitting at the Big Shoot restaurant getting some lunch. Debbie joined us for the row from Port Severn to Big Shoot and maybe we'll see her in Sparrow lake. If anyone else wants to join in just let us know. We want to see you!


- posted by Hatchets

Location:Big Rock Rd,Kilworthy,Canada

Good Morning

Just a perfect morning:)




- posted by Hatchets

Location:Lock 45 Port Severn

Thanks Jim for the coffee

Our awesome neighbor! Thanks for the coffee this morning. Also thanks for the cutlery, margarine, and salt and pepper until Dave found the stuff he 're'-organized.


- posted by Hatchets

Location:Beausoleil Island, Sandpiper campground

Day 3 recap - no more portages!

Well, after yesterday we started a little later this morning! The day ended yesterday with Jim Hogarth coming to pick us up from Go Home marina. We left the boats there and scooted to 'The Barn' for a good nights sleep and most importantly a hot tub!

Yesterday we portaged our T-11 and tin boat over 4 dams and rapids. While 4 portages in a day might seem not bad, it was killer.

Today...3 more! With 3 people and a baby, and the portages being goat paths, it was another killer day, but pretty, and man were we happy to get through the musquash river and into Georgian bay!! We are


now camped out at the sandpiper campground on beausoleil island.



Yep, these are diapers drying.




The view from the campsite.




Home sweet home for the night



Our safety boat. Yes, I agree, they look like they might need rescuing tomorrow more than us:) It's basically The Barn, but floating.

Today's comments:
Danny: I don't want to see another freaking waterfall for a week.
Jeremy: Where's my cutlery Dad?
Dave: you didn't bring any cutlery.
Kathy: Really Dave, you thought we needed you to unpack and hide all our stuff?
Jim: Shirley would lose her mind if she saw how Dave repacked.
Robin: thanks for portaging me for the last 2 days.

- posted by Hatchets

Location:Webster Ln,Georgian Bay,Canada

Lunch

Dads making spoons because we forgot them. Robin stretching in the grass. This is what it's all about.


- posted by Hatchets

Location:Georgian Bay,Canada

Thanks Josh

This is how portaging should be. Josh from Peterborough was there to save the day.



- posted by Hatchets

Day 2 - Portage Day

So, we were off by 8am this morning after pizzaand sleeping at Rob Wilson's place. Thanks Rob!!! Sorry Sasha that Robin woke you up so early this morning! We are just finishing our first portage.





- posted by Hatchets

Location:Georgian Bay,Canada

Safety boat crew on day 1

Peter Boggs and Dan Fowler drove the safety boat all the way from port Carling. Thanks so much.


- posted by Hatchets

Location:Woodwinds Rd,Gravenhurst,Canada

Train Tressel

I can see Bala from here. Lake Muskoka Conqured.


- posted by Hatchets

Location:Bala Acton island

10k in!

First stop the Hogarths second breakfast. Indian River Port Carling
- posted by Hatchets

Location:Port Carling

Robin is ready. We are just about to depart Minett. Uncle Pete and Gerrette and in the dagger boat and four of us in the quad.
- posted by Hatchets

Last Minute Running Around

So we know there is a hole in one of the thermo-rest air mattress's and Canadian Tire is closed. I might just grab a bike tube patch kit from work when we leave in the morning.
We were going to leave the dogs for Ryan an Jill to pick up from the club but habit has them sitting in the back of the truck too! Not a good start.


- posted by Hatchets

Our pledge thermometer

Check out our fundraising wall at hatchets.


- posted by Hatchets

Location:Muskoka Road 118 W,Port Carling,Canada

The Goal.

Well, here we go. We are in the last couple days before we leave. We are rowing from Muskoka to Peterborough, mainly along the trent severn system, leaving this Monday morning.

Our goal is threefold:
- Raise money to help fund the purchase of a Hudson T-11 and four sets of rowing oars. This is a big touring quad that is awesome for kids programs. The goal is $20,000. We received a iRow grant from Rowing Canada, our National organizing body, for $3,500 and we have been raising money in the club throughout the summer through pledges on our on wall display and through our 'change bucket' on the front counter. CLICK HERE TO DONATE
- Raise awareness for rowing especially with kids. Rowing is one of the three best full body, low impact workouts that you can take part in for your whole life (rowing, swimming, cross country skiing). We want as many kids to get involved now and stay active for life. We have been calling clubs and schools along the way and are trying to get them to come and try rowing for free with our touring quad at any of our nightly destinations from here to Peterborough. To see a map of our course so you can come meet us any evening. We will be arriving each night around 3:00pm ish - and we will be updating this blog very regularly throughout the day from our phone. CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR MAP
- Have fun! Yep - sorry, this is a selfish one. But you can join in on the fun too! If you are a rower, you can help raise money for your club AND have fun. You can join us for a day, a weekend, just for an evening, or for the whole time, whatever you'd like. CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW TO REGISTER AND RAISE PLEDGES FOR YOUR CLUB

SO....STAY TUNED, CHECK IN OFTEN. WE'LL BE POSTING LOTS AS WE GET GOING!