The Kawarthas is a paddling mecca. Many organizations and businesses can help get you equipped for your paddling adventure, whether you prefer flat-water canoeing and kayaking, or a white-water adventure. Paddlingontario.com, with its extensive selection of resources by trip type for the entire area (and other areas of Ontario), is a great place to start.

You can now even paddle in downtown Peterborough! Wild Rock Outfitters, an outfitting retailer in Peterborough with staff who are very knowledgeable about paddling, provides canoe and kayak rentals at "The Boathouse" on the Otonabee River Trail. The Boathouse is located at King and Water Streets in downtown Peterborough. After your paddle, you can relax on The Boathouse's expansive wooden deck and enjoy refreshments from the Silver Bean Café (open in the summer 8 am to 10 pm).

If you are interested in more adventurous tripping, visit the Wilderness Canoe Assocation web site.

If you would like to do some advance research on canoeing trips, an excellent resource is Peterborough author and canoeist Kevin Callan. Kevin is renowned for his canoeing and camping books. His most recent book is Happy Camper.