Toronto Adventures

Did the group-​on kayak.
If you are driving, it is the road between the Old Mill Inn and the bridge. It’s about 100 metres down this road. Parking under the TTC bridge. I had some trouble finding it when the address read 21 Old Mills. There wasn’t a clear sign so it’s easy to miss.
Kayaking instructions were basic. Just how to paddle and turn. They didn’t tell us what to do if we flip over or anything. Although we had life-​jackets and the water was shallow at many places, like 1 foot deep.
The review on 2÷12÷2015 mentioned foot pedals. I don’t know what those are. There was just some feet rest. Nobody mentioned anything about those in the orientation. Somebody did help with the push off into the water and dragging us back in after the trip. He also helped carried down and back up the hill that led to the water. So I guess service has improved significantly.
We only paddled down to the bridges at Lakeshore. You can’t paddle North. I remember from hiking last year that there are dams up there. There are 4 bridges at Lakeshore and we only got to the second before going back. The waves were getting high. That’s the recommended trip from the starting point to close to Lakeshore. The alternative is paddling around the marshes. One or the other. You still get to see swans, storks, ducks, Canada geese and coromonts.
Good exercise. They had 3 different types of paddles and I picked the middle one. Upper back was sore the day after. The others worked the core or the arms more.
We were slightly late but no one mentioned it. And we had our allocated time.
Guides were friendly and helpful. I think they had 20+ kayaks there but some people were out so it’s kind of hard to tell. They seem to be in good conditions.
Thank you.

I can’t recommend this place. I rented a kayak one Sunday because I live close by and wanted to check out the Humber. Unfortunately, I got basically no assistance setting up my boat or getting it to the water. I thought I just couldn’t figure out how to adjust the foot pedals (I kayak a lot, but different boats have different mechanisms), but it turned out the pedal was actually broken. When I pointed it out when I returned the kayak, the staff person just shrugged and said «yeah, some people kick them too hard» — then returned the boat to where it could be used by later renters without looking at it or trying to fix it. I don’t think this poor equipment maintenance was an isolated incident, either. There was a group getting into a canoe at the put-​in point, and one of the seats broke when the canoeist sat on it.
The Humber itself is a great place to paddle. I saw lots of wildlife, and it was relatively peaceful. But I’d recommend getting equipment elsewhere.

There’s nothing better than finding a hidden gem below a subway station with the trains rumbling overhead. Toronto Adventures is a big city canoe and kayak rental and training outfit with a small town feel. They even tell you where to park for free. Just mosey on past Old Mill snaking your way around the corner into the valley and you’ll see the racks of canoes and kayaks there. The larger canoe has three seats and plenty of room to pack your stuff yet still light enough that two people can carry it without much trouble. So lose your footwear and go canoeing! Lots of fun exploring the Humber River by boat and after you can still go shopping on the way home or jump on the subway looking for more adventure.

If you want a fun but relaxing time kayaking and getting to see a bit of the city and a lot of trees, this is the place for you. Matteas was our guide and he gave a us a nice review of the basics of kayaking, then took us on a very nice trip to the mouth of the Humber at Lake Ontario and back. It was relaxing and very enjoyable. I definitely can recommend them for safety and fun.