For those of you without watercraft, you are able to walk along the Trans Canada Trail from Beavermead Park and watch the fun from shore. For those of you with either a canoe or kayak, you are welcome to join in the fun at the Lock n paddle event.<\p>
2016 saw a record breaking 138 canoeist and kayakers attend the Lock n Paddle event which broke the world record for the number of canoes and kayaks in a single lift lock by fitting into one of the Peterborough Lift Locks.
This year the organizers at Parks Canada hope to fill the second lift lock and break the previous record.
This year’s event will take place on Saturday, June 24th and will take approximately 3 hrs to allow for people to arrive via canoe and kayak from one of the launch spots on the canal and local waterways, enter the lift lock and be counted by Parks Canada staff.
The plan: fit as many canoes and kayaks into the two sides of the lift locks, and do a physical count as well as use photographs to determine the final count and set a new lift lock record.
Parks Canada who is hosting the main event will have some speeches and announcements before the paddlers make their way into one of the two lift locks. Once everyone is inside, staff from Parks Canada will conduct a vessel count (not a head count) and photos will be taken for local and National media outlets.
Based on last year’s event, plan to spend approximately 3 hrs participating in the Lock n Paddle. Once the Lock n Paddle event is complete, paddlers will make their way back down through Lock #20 and can make their way to their boat launch location.
There is no cost to travel in the lift locks and large power driven vessels will be excluded from the locks both below and above Lock 21 for the duration of this event. This is a paddle event only!
Event Date: Saturday, June 24th from 10:45am – 11:30am (Approx)
Location: Meet at posted coordinates in the parking lot at Beavermead Park. Share snacks, stories and socialize with fellow geocachers. Group will gather for meet and greet from 10:45am - 11:30am. Following this event, people are free to carry on with their day. For anyone interested in attending the Lock and Paddle activity, you can launch your watercraft at the boat ramp in Beavermead park or drive around to the other boat ramp listed on the cache page andstart to paddle north through Lock # 20 (Ashburnham) and gather at Lock # 21 (Peterborough Lift Lock).
Some things to bring:
Camera, water, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
Places to launch your canoe or kayak for free
Boat Launch #1 N44 17.800 W 78 18.109 - Beavermead Park, plenty of parking
Boat Launch #2 N44° 17.972 W78° 18.530 - South end of Mark Street. Parking may be limited