| Paddling Title |
Hamilton Bayfront to Grindstone Creek |
| Type of Trip |
Day Trip |
| Date |
Sunday, June 14, 2026 |
| OVERALL RATING FOR THIS TRIP |
GRADE B (COMFORTABLE BEGINNER) |
SKILLS REQUIRED FOR THIS TRIP
Skills required to deal with the following anticipated conditions. |
Grade B (Comfortable Beginner) Comfortable forward stroke; Comfortable reverse stroke; Comfortable turning strokes; Able to perform assisted rescue as swimmer within 2 attempts and as a rescuer * |
| Anticipated Trip Conditions |
|
| Wind |
Grade B (Comfortable Beginner) Light to Moderate; 11 to 20 kms/hour; Wind noticeably affects movement of the paddler |
| Waves, Breaking Waves, Swell |
Grade B (Comfortable Beginner) Waves up to 2 feet; Small breaking waves Waves up to armpit; light to moderate chop; scattered whitecaps) |
| Current |
Grade A (Beginner) None or mild |
| Open Crossings |
Grade A (Beginner) No open crossings |
| Landing Type |
Grade A (Beginner) Easy; gently sloping sandy beach |
| Landing Frequency |
Grade B (Comfortable Beginner) No more than 3 kms between landings |
| Total Distance Per Day |
Grade B (Comfortable Beginner) Up to 15 km |
| IMPORTANT HOC TRIP RATING INFORMATION AND CANCELLATION |
We can only anticipate what the trip conditions will be prior to the trip; and they are subject to change based on the weather information for that day; therefore, the overall trip rating and the required skills needed to safely attend the trip, may be upgraded on the day of the trip. This eventuality includes the possible cancellation for some or all its participants; or the postponement of a trip for the following day. By signing up for a club trip, the participant assumes the risk that such a cancellation may occur, even as late as on the shoreline.
HOC Paddling Trip Rating Tool-2024-02-29 |
| Important Trip Details |
We will launch from Hamilton Bayfront Park and handrail paddle along Hamilton Bay to Grindstone Creek. We will paddle up Grindstone as far as water levels will permit. We will stop along the way for a lunch/snack break. Icecream at Hutch's after paddle.
Parking is free. Park in the lot closest to the water. Hamilton Bay can get windy and wavy, but we will always be close to shore.
|
| Body of Water |
Hamilton Bay, Grindstone Creek |
| Registration Opens |
Day trip - 2 weeks before trip date |
| Registration Opens on this date (at 12:00 am) |
May 31, 2026 |
| Name of Volunteer Trip Leader(s) |
Sandy Gardner, Jacquie Cliffe |
| Email of Volunteer Trip Leaders(s) |
sandy.gardner@bell.net |
| Contingency Phone, Name |
905-580-5763 Sandy |
| Trip Address |
Waterfront Trl, Hamilton, ON L8L 1M5 |
| Google Pin of Parking |
https://maps.app.goo.gl/37wAQv4MBTJcr9K28 |
| Paddling Vessels Permitted |
Recreational kayaks permitted |
| Google Pin of Boat Launch |
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WTMEE7G5wQKwM1xK9 |
| Arrival time - To get boats, equipment ready for launch |
9:45 AM |
TIME - SHORELINE SAFETY MEETING (PRE-LAUNCH)
(PDFs on; Kayaks, equipment on the shore, ready to go) |
10:15 AM |
| Maximum number of paddlers including leader(s) |
8 |
| Bathroom Facilities |
Bathroom facilities on location |
| After Paddle Leisure Time |
|
| Go to Restaurant After Paddle |
Yes |
| Restaurant and Restaurant Address |
Ice cream at Hutch's after paddle |
| Trip Safety Requirements, What to Bring |
Kayak with sealed fore and aft bulkhead compartments unless the paddle has been specified to permit recreational boats;
Inflatable boats are not permitted;
A properly fitting PFD or lifejacket must be worn at all times while in your kayak; Inflatable PFDs are not permitted:
One (1) buoyant heaving line at least 15 m (49’3”) long;
One (1) bailer OR One manual bilge pump;
One (1) pealess whistle;
If paddling before sunrise or after sunset or in periods of restricted visibility like fog, one (1) all-round light (A light showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 360 degrees);
For multi day trips, one (1) magnetic compass (handheld or deck);
For kayaks over 6m (19’8”): One (1) watertight flashlight with working batteries AND Six (6) flares of Type A (Rocket parachute flare), Type B (Multi Star flare) Type C (Hand flare) Type D (Smoke Signal), however, only two (2) can be Type D;
A minimum of one spare paddle per 2 participants;
A spray skirt is required unless you are in a recreational boat (a boat which lacks either a fore or aft sealed bulkhead) or on a Grade A trip;
Each participant must have completed their wet exit practise within the past 12 months
Please note the club does not provide equipment. If rentals are noted above, it is at the expense of the club member. Please read the details. |
| Trip Cost Per Participant |
None |
| Incidental Costs |
Additional expenses may arise on this trip and the participant assumes the financial responsibility. These are costs which have not been factored in the trip budget and will typically, but not exclusively, entail unforeseen expenses, such as evacuation, ambulance, treatments, food, lodging due to illness. |
| Trip Cancellation Policy - Day Trips, No Cost |
For day trips with no cost, please self cancel. Go to the club website. From the menu, select: ATTEND EVENTS > HOW TO SELF CANCEL |
