Paddling Toronto

Paddling is something I’ve associated with canoes and cottage country outside of the city. Living in a small space in Toronto, it didn’t seem like an activity I could take up, even though Toronto is located on the shores of Lake Ontario. That changed when a friend picked up a deeply discounted inflatable paddle board at Winners (an off-price department store) and I got the chance to try it out. It was a blast, I was sold: I picked up a couple myself in 2021.

They are very different from inflatable boats or pool toys from my childhood - these have proven to be pretty robust. They fit in the trunk of a small car, can be carried around in an oversized backpack, and stored under a bed.

Although I’ve lived in the city since the early 2000s, it was not immediately apparent where I could take my paddleboard: how can I get there, can I find parking, and just how scary is this massive great lake? This is my paddling experience in the city:

The Humber

I recommend starting with the Humber River. There can be lots of paddlers here, as there is a canoe and kayak rental place where Bloor crosses the Humber called Toronto Adventures. I’ve never taken the subway there, but you could take the TTC to Old Mill, and walk down to the Humber - there is a put-in on the north side of Bloor. I drive to the Humber Boat Put In - it’s a part of King’s Mill Park, just south of the Toronto Humber Yacht Club. Parking is free, and I’ve always been able to find a spot.

It is amazing that there’s a place like this in the city - there are spots on the river where you can’t see a tower, yet it’s steps from a subway line. I’d biked alongside the Humber before, but paddling it seemed like a new discovery. If conditions are windy, it is the best option, it is less windy than locations along the lake.

Western Beaches Watercourse

You can access the Western Beaches Watercourse from any of the beaches between Ontario Place and the Humber. There’s a breakwater along this stretch of the lake, so the waves are smaller, and there’s a barrier between you and the lake. I’ve never had the feeling like I was going to be blown out into the lake. The beach parking lots are best, but they will fill up on nice summer days. I have always been able to find parking at the Net Drive parking lot (paid). To access the water from this lot, you do have to step over a short barrier, and make your way down (ie: this is not official water access, but not too difficult).

Cherry Beach to Toronto Islands

If I have a whole day, and it’s not too windy, I like to head down to Cherry Beach, and paddle to the islands. The Cherry Beach parking lot gets packed on weekends, it’s best to go during the week.

Although it’s not very wide, crossing the Eastern Gap is a bit frightening:

• There is a constant stream of small boat traffic. Power boats create large waves.
• Occasionally, there are massive lake ships. It is hard to judge how fast they are moving.
• It is open, the waves are larger waves and the wind is stronger
• The sides are walled - the waves bounce off the sides differently than they do along a shoreline

All that being said, I’ve never fallen off my paddleboard, but I’ll paddle kneeling down here rather than stand, and I’m always tethered to the board.

Once you pass the eastern gap, it’s a short paddle to the Queen City Yacht Club. You do have to watch for the Ward’s Island Ferry, but it is very predictable, you may just have to wait up to ten minutes if it is docking or docked. Once you enter the channel next to the Queen City Yacht Club, it is very relaxed. It does get weedy - a paddleboard’s fin will pick up a ton of weeds, which have to be cleared occasionally. Paddling further, you’ll encounter others paddlers as you pass Toronto Island SUP and the Toronto Island Boat House.

Port Credit

This one is a bit further out of the way for me, and I have only done it once, the first year I got the paddleboards. There is parking and a boat launch at Marina Park, and you can paddle up the Credit.

Other Toronto Lake Front Activities

I had a great experience taking a couple windsurfing courses with the Toronto Windsurfing Club. Highly recommended, no equipment required.

There are also numerous sailing, canoeing and rowing clubs, such as the Toronto Sailing and Canoe Club which provide lessons and have equipment available.

Beyond Toronto

I’ve had fun paddleboarding on vacation as well. Here are a few highlights: