Thank you for Supporting Another Successful Canoe Head Event!

On June 20th, we accomplished our goals for Canoe Head for Kids 2009- travelling 40kms with canoes and raising over $13,400 for Amici Camping Charity to help send underprivileged kids to camp!

The day began at 5:30 am as we unloaded the boats from the trailer in pouring rain and gale force winds at the east end of the Beach in Toronto. Undeterred by the inclement weather, the teams shouldered their boats and pointed westward. The first leg was a 20km portage along the Waterfront Trail, through Queens Quay to the Humber Bridge in Etobicoke. This year’s event was expanded to three teams of eight with each team responsible for four boats apiece. Throughout the portage the weather continued to toy with us as the wind randomly grabbed the bows of our canoes and spun us around. At least the boats kept us dry from the rain! Four hours of portaging later, we arrived at the Humber and were paid a surprise visit by Mayor David Miller who threw his support behind our event and snuck into a few photos!

Fortunately the rain and the wind let up enough to allow us to paddle the 20km back to our starting point. It was a little surreal paddling through the Toronto Harbour with the CN tower to the left, Porter Air flying overhead, and the wake of the Island Ferry tossing us around. I wonder what the coureurs de bois would think. After a little carry over at the Leslie Spit we could glimpse the finish line and made a running/diving entrance through the swells much like Tom Hanks in Castaway. Ten and a half hours, and 40km, after our start we returned to (somewhat) dry land - the marathon complete.

Although the base of our feet feel bruised, our thumbs are stiff from holding the boats and we can’t stand up straight, it was definitely worth it as more than $13 000 was raised which will send 13 kids to camp this summer. This would not have been possible without your support!

Thank you very much from all of us and the kids,

The 2009 Canoe Heads – Team Captains and Participants

P.S. For those who still wish to donate: you can do so online by clicking the Canoe Head icon.