Paddle Sports

Toronto is a paddle-friendly city. With 46 kilometres of shoreline, Toronto’s waterfront is a destination for a variety of activities including canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding.

Types of Paddle Crafts

There are many different types of paddle craft. The ones you’ll come across most often are canoe, kayak and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs).

• Open Canoe – The standard North American canoe in which one or two paddlers sit on a bench and use a single blade paddle to propel through the water
• Kayak – A decked craft in which one or two paddlers sit on top or in and use a double blade paddle to propel through the water
• Stand-up Paddleboard (SUP) – An inflatable or rigid board where a paddler stands up and uses a single blade paddle to propel through the water

Where to Paddle

There are many places along City’s waterfront you can paddle such as the Toronto Island Park, Cherry Beach and the Humber River.

All paddle craft users need to be aware of restricted zones in which you are not allowed to paddle. These areas are typically marked by keep out buoys. These buoys are white with two horizontal orange bands and an orange cross inside an orange diamond on two opposite sides.

Areas where paddling is prohibited in Toronto include:

• Inside a supervised swimming area
• Around the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

Safety Tips

Before you go, be paddle smart and remember to:

• Wear a personal flotation device (PFD) or lifejacket
• Carry the appropriate safety gear
• Never paddle alone – paddlers should always paddle with a buddy
• Avoid alcohol and/or drug use before or during paddling
• Check the weather – avoid paddling during and immediately after storms
• Share the waterways – give plenty of space to motorized vessels
• Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature – stay warmer and stay afloat with thermal protection, like a wetsuit

Check the Transport Canada Office of Boating Safety website for the latest regulations and more safe boating tips.

Launch Locations, Rentals & Storage

To help improve access to these activities, the City has mapped launch locations, paddle craft rental sites and storage locations.

Storage and rental services for non-motorized watercraft are provided by third-party organizations operating along Toronto’s waterfront. Residents should connect directly with those organizations for inquires related to availability, hours of operations or fees.