Our Mission

To bring people that enjoy paddling and camping together amongst our lakes and waterways. As a stakeholder, we will support and promote our canoe route with a common voice.

We look forward to a future that could offer members volunteer opportunities when feasible.

 
 
 

Click here & here for details on the Powell Forest Canoe Route

Being a registered not-for-profit allows us to ensure the money goes directly where the outdoorist, and our community, benefits.

Board Members

  • Doug Logan

    PRESIDENT

  • Kevin Phillips

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Born and raised in Powell River. I’ve spent most of my free time hunting, fishing, motorcycling or wandering around the area. We took our kids into the bush every chance we got. I appreciate our outdoors and want to keep our wilderness wild for future generations.

  • Christie Mitchell

    TREASURER

    My father had me in a canoe my entire life. The very first time I portaged, I was a teenager. On the third day of portaging a very heavy canoe, I sat in protest. My father’s response was a stifled giggle after which he said, “I’m impressed you lasted this long”.

  • Randy Mitchell

    SPOKESPERSON & HISTORIAN

    604-223-0704

    canoerouterandy@gmail.com

    I had my first canoe before I had a drivers license. My mother had to drive me and my canoe to the Fraser River so I could use it. She was so scared to drive with a canoe tied on top by me - a young kid - I think she aged ten years on the spot. When we got there and I put the canoe on the beach it dawned on her she wouldn't know when to come and get me. I talked her into coming along….she aged another ten years. What a great mom! From that day forward, she just let me go, no questions asked. Just to think I was 14 when I got that canoe - I'll be 69 soon. For 55 years the canoe has never stopped being a pleasure and a great freedom.

  • Libby McDowell

    SECRETARY

    I feel lucky to have been born & raised in such a wonderful place as Powell River. I never really ventured out into the outdoors until I was a young adult and now it's hard to keep me home! Canoeing, kayaking, hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, biking - you name it!

  • Bob Cain

    Bob Cain

    I was introduced to canoeing in the mid 1960’s. First trip on the Bowron Lakes canoe route (September 1968) set the sport up as a life time hobby. In 1973 I took 4 months and 6,000 miles to move from BC to Northern Quebec. Started with another trip on the Bowron Lakes (mid April) and paddled in all the Provinces. In Quebec I signed up for every flat water and white water canoe course offered by the provincial association. Spent the next 6 years with ice free weekends on the rivers and holidays on the lakes. Returned to Victoria and joined the local club and paddled the rivers. Moved to Powell River in 1979 and have continued to canoe and enjoy the lakes systems here.

Become a Seasoned Canoeist

“The popularity of canoeing has increased, and rightly so. We live in a country with a rich history of canoeing.  You can paddle and portage right across the country from coast to coast. The canoe is to Canada as the covered wagon is to the USA.

For a canoeist, paddling is an art form. The paddle is their paint brush. Each stroke makes a different picture. I believe that different strokes come naturally. They just discover the proper names later.  If you start paddling without formal instruction, in time, you would feel the need to do this or that to move efficiently. Formal instruction does make the process much quicker though.

You will learn a lot if you slow down, watch & talk to the old floppy hat canoeists. I guarantee you will keep coming back to this craft.”

                            -   Randy Mitchell


 

The World Outside Technology

The forced disconnect from technology impacts people positively in multiple ways. If your phone doesn’t work, you are forced to open up your attention. Unfocused attention gives our brains a well needed break from typically being in a focused state.

Other side effects include:

  • socializing with humans more

  • daydreaming (this is healthy)

  • noticing obscure details

  • breathing deeper / more relaxed

  • better posture (improve core muscles)

 
 

Being in Nature

There is a deep meditative pleasure in the preservation of nature. Using and being a part of something like a canoe route can enrich your life and stir that inner calm. This organization can be this path for you.

Be a part of contributing to our canoe route to help it remain a rustic, viable community asset.