"Women Only" Paddling Trips Combine Painting & Yoga with Sea Kayaking & Whitewater Thrills

Women in increasing numbers are discovering that wilderness canoeing, sea kayaking and river-running are by no means strictly masculine pursuits. Because of the growing popularity among women of paddling adventures, Paddling Ontario offers a number of "women only" trips.

The Paddling Ontario Alliance is a consortium of 24 tourism operators providing outfitting, accommodation and canoe and kayaking adventures, plus hikes and nature walks as well as cooking classes, yoga sessions and instruction in watercolor painting.

Many of these "women only" trips are offered in the Temagami region, where hundreds of lakes and rivers, interconnected by ancient portage trails, provide a multitude of canoeing opportunities for beginner and expert alike. Bear, beaver, wolf, moose, otter, lynx and fox inhabit the mixed forest of spruce, pine, poplar and ash.

"Temagami 'Sister' Holistic Spa Retreat" is an invitation to relax and rejuvenate with "the girls" in a weekend of laughter, good food and easy activity. Chinese Tui-Na massage is featured, along with a medicinal plant walk and watercolor painting class. Includes private lodging and five organic meals. Package date can be arranged; CAN $252 (approximately $220 US) per person.

"Supermom and Daughter Canoe Trip" is a four-day adventure with a chance to learn about native flora and fauna, swim to your heart's content and hike spiritual ancient pine forests. Opportunities to bead, paint and enjoy unstructured play are balanced with structured quiet times to promote inner stillness.

Campfires, storytelling, singing and stargazing abound. A highlight is the opportunity for a vision quest (as a solo or paired experience) to bring focus to one's inner strength and individuality. Includes food, dynamic guides, all gear, crafts, instruction and programs. August 27-September 2, 2006; CAN $640 (approximately $555 US) per person.

"Yoga, Pilates, Paddling, Painting and Regional Organic Cuisine" is a five-day adventure that invites participants to slow down and nurture body, mind and spirit in a secluded lakeside setting of wild flowers and lush gardens. Daily yoga is the focus, with addition instruction in pilates (to improve flexibility and strength), meditation, watercolor painting and holistic facials.

There is a class in regional cooking, and a paddle and hike into old-growth forest for wilderness yoga and an "edible plant walk." Enjoy swimming, saunas and vegetarian organic cuisine. Includes four nights' lodging and 12 vegetarian organic meals. July 16-20, 2006; CAN $570 (approximately $495 US) per person.

"Women Only Sea Kayak Adventure on Georgian Bay" explores the sparkling islands of Georgian Bay along the Ontario shoreline of Lake Huron. This great summer sea kayaking adventure provides campsites set up as a base to explore the myriad islands that make this region famous. There is plenty of time to swim, read and sleep. Meals are mostly vegetarian, using fresh and whole foods. Also included are daily snacks, all group-camping and paddling gear (with roomy, expedition-quality tents) and a library with recreational reading, field guides and historic accounts. July departures; CAN $595 (approximately $515 US) per person.

"All-Women Whitewater Learning Adventure" is a nine-day beginner-level paddling adventure down the Upper Otoswkin, one of Ontario's true northern rivers. It follows the historic route of fur traders and native people across a land that remains free from roads and development in a region that most people have yet to discover.

Includes an exciting float plane ride to the drop off point on the river, five nights' under the stars and northern lights at a comfortable campsite, delicious gourmet meals prepared by staff. Excellent instruction and guidance in remote camping and river paddling is provided by friendly, caring and certified guides. July 29-August 6, 2006; US$875 per person.

For reservations and more information, call Paddling Ontario at (705) 745-9343, or visit www.paddlingontario.com.

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