Ottawa Valley Canoe And Kayak

2026 Season in progress.

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I'm back from my recent solo journey in Labrador's wilds paddling, bushwhacking, and portaging from Happy Valley-Goose Bay to Cartwright. What an adventure: many black bears, about a trillion blackflies, lot's of saltwater, and even a surprise polar bear (they're not normally this far south this late in the summer). I'll have more updates to share soon, but first I need to unpack then repack for yet another solo wilderness journey next week!

FAQ: "Will the new ePDL+ retroFit fit in my Old Town _______ PDL?"

The answer?

Yup! If it's an Old Town PDL kayak, there's a ePDL+ retroFit for you. 💯

I'm sporting a brand new canoe courtesy of my longtime supporter Nova Craft Canoe, specifically their Pal 16 foot model made of TuffStuff (a woven cloth of basalt and Innegra fibers), and weighing 53 pounds (lighter than my usual canoes). Now that I'm a father to three little boys, I wanted a canoe that was actually faster and sleeker than the sturdy, stable Prospector I normally use on expeditions. That might seem strange, but since I paddle a canoe for work, having a faster, sleeker design means I can cover more miles in a day and therefore complete expeditions sooner to get home quicker! For family outings I'll continue to rely on my tried and true Nova Craft Canoe Prospector. I'll be setting off on a new solo canoe journey later this week: stay tuned...

The long weekend is calling ... Drop a comment below and let us know where you're headed ⬇

“Shoalts brings a unique perspective to Darrell’s story. He understands the allure of the wilderness in a way few can…The mystery surrounding Darrell’s disappearance is captivating, but it is the parallels between these two remarkable explorers, separated by more than a century, that truly makes Vanished Beyond the Map memorable.” From a review of my new book just published by The Record (Waterloo). You can listen to my new book on audiobook, or pick up at any local bookstore or order online: https://adamshoalts.com/literature/

The perfect summer read to get you into an adventure mood: the bestselling story of my solo canoe journey from Lake Erie to the Arctic! Now available in a paperback edition (as well as ebook, audio, and hardcover!). Order it from the link or find it anywhere books are sold: https://adamshoalts.com/literature/