September 16th and Sept 17th, will be our last weekend at Fairy Lake during the 2017 Acton Fall Fair. We are excited to see the ground break for the new wheelchair accessible dock that will hopefully be ready (fingers crossed) for the 2018 season.

Please join us at the Paddle House! See you on the water.

Photograph by Ann Vanderlaan Adema

Celebrating 2015 Pam Am games coming to Toronto

The Holy Cow Canoe Factory Pre-season clearance. We are both excited and proud of Canada hosting the 2015 Pan Am games. We would like you to join in on the fun.

As the paddling season approaches, the best time to get a great deal on your new Holy Cow Canoe is before the 2015 PanAm games hits Toronto.
Our line-up of light weight & durable recreational canoes offer unrivaled versatility, solid stability, outstanding capacity, tracking, while remaining efficient and easy to paddle. This assures you and your family an enjoyable paddling experience on each and every one of your adventures.

You can expect the quality, fit, & finish of our canoes to reflect our 37 years of practical canoe building experience. As you would expect; independent reviews of our canoes can be found by searching online.

Currently we have a number of our award winning, light weight kevlar and ultra-glass canoes at greatly reduced prices.

These are all brand new canoes which have been deeply discounted due to minor cosmetic imperfections in the exterior finish (only).
These marks are very minor and do not affect the strength, safety, performance, or durability in any way which should be clear when seen in person. All canoes are brand new & will come with the full factory warranty.
You will not be disappointed!  For a list of current inventory, clearance prices, and specifications, please visit the clearance page of our website. These clearance canoes are limited in quantity and go quickly.

Looking for something specific?
For a limited time order any new “made to order” Holy Cow Canoe & save 25% off the regular retail pricing.

Please feel free to call or e-mail us if you have any questions, would like any additional information, or require assistance in deciding on the correct model canoe.

Phone; 519-853-9729

A reputable company, with an established track record helps to ensure your canoe will be safe, reliable, and remain enjoyable to paddle. A Holy Cow Canoe offers over 37 years of history and engineering. Having experimented with countless designs, materials, and procedures we build the very best in a paddling craft, and a canoe that considers safety, durability, and ease of use along with weight. All of our canoes exceed Transport Canada’s technical standards & we are listed as a recognized manufacturer with the Canadian and U.S Coast Guard. We are also proud to be a current supplier to the Canadian Forces.
We build great boats that you and your family will enjoy for many years. We love what we do and it shows!

Discounts and any sale pricing indicated is based on pick-up and cash payment at the Holy Cow Canoe Hwy 27 factory production facility located in Acton, Ontario. Clearance inventory is limited in quantity, and considered first come first served.
Applicable taxes and delivery are extra, and not included in pricing. Additional options, accessories, and/or custom upgrades are available.

Inventory changes regularly and frequently.
The Holy Cow Canoe Company cannot guarantee the availability of all inventory listed on web site.
Please contact us to inquire about availability of any particular item in advance at 519-853-9729 or by e-mail sales @ holycowcanoe com.

Do not hesitate to call us if you need any assistance selecting the ideal model/size for your needs, or would like a better understanding of recreational canoes in general.

We are a proud member of the American Canoe Association.

The ACA website; “Founded in 1880, The American Canoe Association (ACA) is a national nonprofit organization serving the broader paddling public by providing education related to all aspects of paddling; stewardship support to help protect paddling environments; and sanctioning of programs and events to promote paddlesport competition and recreation.”

From the ACA website;

• Provide the general public with FUN paddlesport opportunities
• Make paddling education and instruction accessible
• Improve access to all paddling venues
• Expand paddlesport to people of all abilities and to the underserved
• Influence stewardship issues and public policy that affect paddlers and the paddling experience
• Promote paddlesports competition at the local, regional and national levels
• Create strategic alliances with clubs and other organizations that represent the outdoor experience in order to expand awareness and knowledge of paddlesport
• Communicate the benefits of canoeing, kayaking, rafting and stand up paddleboarding as healthy lifetime recreation activities

“The heart of the ACA is the people who paddle, cherish and protect the rivers, lakes, streams, bays and oceans of the United States and beyond.”

As a perk to joining the ACA,  here is a spectacular ACA member benefit!

From the ACA website: “Sugar Island is located in the heart of the Thousand Islands in Gananoque, Ontario Canada, which is an international tourism destination near the St. Lawrence Islands National Park. The 35 acre island is privately owned by the ACA and is available to all members for year round use.

“Getting to Sugar Island is as much of part of your trip as your stay. The island is located approximately one mile from the Canadian Mainland. You can paddle out to the island or the great folks at Misty Isles Lodge in Gananoque, Ontario offer a water taxi service to the island.”

“What to do on an island you might ask? The island is rustic, with no modern amenities. It is a pristine, pure environment with crystal clear water, clean air, and beautiful night skies. Swim, snorkel, fish, paddle, sail, or simply relax.”

‘2014 ACA National Encampment: July 27 – August 8’

• New ACA members receive two(2) free nights of camping! (Reservation Form)
• Directions
• Maps (Detailed / Overview)
• Brochure
• 2014 ACA National Encampment
• History of Sugar Island (Article 1 / Article 2 / Powerpoint)
• Ecology of Sugar Island (PDF)
• Sugar Island Rules & Regulations (word)
• Sugar Island Emergancy Action Plan (word)
• For reservations, contact Marcia Banholzer
• International Canoe Regatta at Sugar Island (YouTube)

‘Sugar Island offers all ACA members the opportunity for a unique paddlesport camping experience. Stay for a weekend, a week, or a month!”

Join ACA today! Visit the ACA website for more information.

Holy Cow Canoe has been recognized as an International Safety Partner joining the lifejacket movement to promote personal responsibility through the wearing of lifejackets in small vessels. As a manufacturer of canoes we always encourage the importance of always wearing your life jacket. We know that wearing lifejackets saves lives –  Canadian Safe Boating Council estimates that “100 lives a year could be saved in Canada if people always wore their lifejacket when boating. But many boaters don’t. The CSBC recently signed an International Lifejacket Wear Principles Agreement aimed at encouraging lifejacket wear. To view the press release, click here. ”

About the principals of the International Lifejacket wear, here is an exert from their website:

“A collaboration by some of the most prominent boating safety authorities

and organisations in the world aims to promote lifejacket wear and prevent death by drowning.

Representatives of national boating authorities and organisations from Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand and the United Kingdom today agreed on the International Lifejacket Wear Principles, following the Marine13 conference in Sydney. Although unable to attend the conference, the Boating Division of the US Coast Guard has also indicated its strong interest in the Principles.

Across these nations, the majority of all fatal boating accident victims drown and of these, around four out of five are reported as not wearing a lifejacket.”

We are proud to be a part of the Principals. Following a list of the best practices The Holy Cow Canoe encourages when you are in your canoe.

Always -Always -Always wear your life jacket, even if your a strong swimmer
•    Take a hand’s on lesson before attempting your first paddling experience
•    Be a swimmer
•    Check the weather
•    Check the water conditions Flood Status
•    Always paddle with someone
•    Assess your boat with 3 points of contact.
•    Do not stand or move about excessively.
•    Load the boat properly. Do not overload your vessel. Read this article on outfitting your boat
•    Keep yourself and equipment low and along the center line.
•    Balance your boat and remain seated at all times.
•    Keep your shoulders within the gunwales of the boat.
•    Carry a spare paddle
•    Always dress for an unexpected flip in the weather, wear appropriate clothing.
•    Wear a Hat or Helmet
•    Carry a Whistle or Sound Signaling Device, throw bags and other rescue gear
•    Carry a bilge pump and/or Bailer
•    Carry self-rescue devices such as paddle float, slings, tow ropes, and light/signal/flashlight/headlamp
•    Use sunscreen
•    Use UV Eye Protection
•    Carry drinking water (NO ALCOHOL)

We strongly advise becoming familiar with the your new canoe in a shallow area first before venturing out into deeper waters. On any new canoe, or water craft, it is a good idea to tip your canoe over on purpose in a shallow area so you become better familiar with how the canoe
will respond, behave, how far you can push the canoe safely, and in order to practice emergency.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
With the help of the other person in your canoe, you can get out in shallow water and flip the canoe to dump out the water and climb in. Your canoe will float even if it’s full of water until you can get to shore to empty it.

NOTE: ALWAYS SIT ON THE SEATS OR IN THE CENTER OF THE CANOE – SITTING ON THE SIDE OF A CANOE WILL CAUSE IT TO TIP OVER.

TO GET INTO YOUR CANOE:

1. HAVE SOMEONE HOLD THE CANOE STEADY

2. CROUCH LOW – keep your knees bent

3. GRAB THE SIDES OF THE CANOE FOR BALANCE as you walk to your seat

4. ALWAYS WALK ALONG THE CENTER

– keeping your feet on the center line will help keep the canoe from rocking.

5. STAY LOW – do not stand up or walk in your canoe when you are away from shore.

6. ALWAYS WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET – you never know when you might fall out or tip over unexpectedly.

7. AVOID SUDDEN OR JERKY MOVEMENTS

– rocking from side to side could cause the canoe to tip over.

CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT

1. Make a checklist and go over it before pushing off each time you canoe.

2. Canoes should be equipped with at least two paddles.

3. Every canoe should have two lines, a bowline and stern

4. An extra throw rope (for emergencies) should be stored safely in each craft. Store any loose ropes safely. Loose ropes

are deadly. Lines should be tied and wrapped before departing.

5. Attach a whistle (or other attention getting device) to your life vest to signal for help.

6. Carry a First Aid Kit inside the canoe. Store kits inside waterproof coverings.

7. Take a repair kit with you. Include quick repair items like duct tape, sealant, waterproof tape and other materials.

NEVER TIE PADDLES

Some canoeists tie paddles to the boat to avoid losing them.

Do not do this.

Tied paddles become extremely dangerous if the canoe does tip.

CHECK THE WATERS

→Class I – Moving water with small waves. Few or no obstructions.

→Class II – Easy rapids with waves up to three feet and wide clear channels that are obvious.

→Class III – Rapids with high, irregular waves often capable of swamping an open canoe. Narrow

passages that often require complex maneuvering. May require some scouting from shore.

→Class IV – Long, difficult rapids and constricted passages that often require precise maneuvering in very turbulent waters. Scout from shore often necessary and conditions make rescue difficult. Canoeists and kayakers should have the ability to roll.

→Class V – Extremely difficult. Long very violent rapids with highly congested routes that nearly always must be scouted. Rescue conditions are difficult and there is a significant hazard to life in the event of a mishap. Ability to execute a roll is essential for all boaters in kayaks and closed canoes.

→Class VI – Difficulties in Class V carried to the extreme of navigability. Nearly impossible and very dangerous. For experts only.

Official Supplier for Petawawa

Press release:

Every year the Canadian Forces, Garrison Petawawa holds a grueling Iron Man triathlon. This year our Canadian troops will be training and paddling Holy Cow lightweight Kevlar 15′ Algonquin Prospectors.

It is with great honor to be an official supplier for the CFB, winning the 2014 CFB procurement bid.

For more information on the Iron Man Competition, CTV Ottawa News

You can visit the CFB website for previous year results on the competition.

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Please always wear and don your Canadian approved lifevest, it’s the Law!

From the Mustang website

“Serious products for serious users”, Mustang Survival

“For more than 45 years, we have outfitted some of the most demanding users working in the world’s most unpredictable and hazardous environments. From commercial fishermen and industrial marine workers to law enforcement officers, the Coast Guard and even NASA astronauts, we’ve designed and provided professional users like you with industry leading personal protection equipment. As a serious user, you can, without a doubt, rely on our lifesaving solutions so you can focus on what you do best.”

Please carefully read the important information from the  Transport Canada website for additional info on the mandatory life saving equipment requirements for all vessels;

Universal size

“Having the right equipment on board can save your life. If something goes wrong on the water, you’ll be much better prepared to deal with it if you have the right equipment on board, if it’s in good working order, and if everyone can find it and use it. Remember, the best protection you can give yourself on the water is to wear your lifejacket!

This section starts off by listing the minimum safety equipment that is required on your boat, followed by some extra advice for specific activities. Finally, it offers more information on the equipment you need and how to use it.

 Minimum Safety Equipment Requirements   

The safety equipment Canada requires you to carry on board is based on the type and length of your boat. It must be on board, in good working order and always easy to reach so that it can be used in an emergency. You can find the length of your boat by reading the manufacturer’s product information or by measuring it yourself (from the front outside surface of the hull shell to the back outside surface of the hull shell – bow to stern).

Remember that these requirements apply only to pleasure craft and are the same whether you own, rent or borrow the boat. This includes typical boats like power boats, sail boats and personal watercraft, as well as less common boats like airboats, air cushion vehicles (hovercraft) and wing in ground effect vessels that are used only for recreation. They also apply to kiteboards.

If you want information on operating a vessel for work or commercial activities (non-pleasure craft), visit www.tc.gc.ca/marinesafety or contact your local Transport Canada Centre.

These requirements do not apply to inflatable self-propelled water toys because they are not designed for use in open water. If you do choose to operate these toys in open water, they will be treated as pleasure craft and subject to the same strict rules. Remember as well that operating a propeller-driven surfboard is against the law in Canada.

The following list of equipment is the minimum that is required. You may want to bring more equipment based on your type of boat, your water activity and the current and forecasted weather and water conditions.”