White Squall was born in 1985 with the simple desire to share the outdoors and paddling with others. Beginners of all ages, experience the fun of paddling with us in a quiet and easy way. Our name came from the late Stan Roger’s song “White Squall”, a haunting ballad that captures the mystery and power of Georgian Bay.
Leaders in sea kayak instruction and tripping
White Squall is a leader in sea kayaking and offers a full range of skill and instructor certification through Paddle Canada for keen beginners to experts – with some of the best teaching staff in Canada. More than that, we simply love paddling through the islands of Georgian Bay, the largest freshwater island archipelago in the world and a UNESCO world biosphere reserve, and hope you'll let us share that with you.
Squall Staff Christine, Aleesha, Rebecca & Owan welcome you to the White Squall Paddling Centre.
photo – Kathy Dyer
We are quite proud of the White Squall staff family. Keeping us energized, exceptional young people join on every summer. We’re dedicated to developing leaders in a comprehensive apprenticeship model. The result is outstanding staff who bring a wide variety of life experiences to their leadership. Our resource staff (for geology, astronomy, ecology and photography trips) are leaders in their field yet are very easy to learn from. We often think how lucky we are to have such a depth of knowledge and skill available to us – and best of all, they’re fun to be around too! Learn more....
Quality Trips
Our trip groups are small, with a strong attention to environmental awareness. The geological and natural story of our coast is a fascinating tale. Wholesome, hearty meals are a highlight after being on the water, and you’ll have lots of time to swim, explore and simply take in the solitude of the Bay and her islands. Trips are led by a fully qualified guide and assistant guide and often a third apprentice comes along for training. Our friendly staff will guide you on your way even if you have never kayaked before. So come join us in exploring the thousands of windswept pine islands of Georgian Bay for a course or a trip of a lifetime! Learn more on the kayak adventure page...
Kayaks on lawn at the White Squall Paddling Centre - photo by Adrienne Montgomerie
We try to do what we can for our environment in our day to day business practices from camping softly, to energy use, to heating, to composting, to printing on recycled paper. Read more...
Bzillions of Kayaks and Canoes
At our waterfront centre you'll find one of the largest selection of sea kayaks in all of Ontario, tons of light touring, recreational and white water kayaks as well as a full complement of canoes. Our two shops are stuffed full of and outdoor gear and specialized sea kayak accessories. Learn more...
Paddle Party & Open House
We are the originators of the Georgian Bay Kayak & Canoe Festival (now called the Paddle Party & Open House ) an annual event that White Squall hosts each spring. This is a fun filled weekend of instruction and workshops from some of Ontario's best sea kayak & canoe instructors. Learn more....
National Certification Courses & Affiliations
White Squall was the first outfitter in Ontario offering a professional AECSKO Sea Kayak Guide School Course for aspiring outdoor leaders. We also run many national Paddle Canada sea kayaking certification instructor and skill courses. We are proud members of Paddling Ontario Assoc., Partners of Eco-Adventure Tourism, Association of Eastern Canadian Sea Kayak Outfitters & The Ontario Ecotourism Society.
Videos About Us and Surrounding Parry Sound / Georgian Bay Area
View videos and learn, see & hear more about White Squall.
National Geographic Adventure Magazine and the Squall – Rated 4th Best Paddlesports Company on Earth!
Yup, they rated us as the fourth best paddling outfitter in the world. Well, ok, maybe they missed a few. But hey, the world is a big place and we’re pretty proud. Criteria included customer satisfaction, quality of service and environmental sustainability. Read more...
Georgian Bay – A UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve
The coastal islands and shores of northeastern Georgian Bay have been recognized by the United Nations as a unique littoral ecosystem of international importance. Sea kayakers recognize the thirty thousand islands as some of the best paddling in the world. We’re pretty lucky to have this as our backyard – and look forward to sharing it with you. Read more...
Franklin Island & The Squall
White Squall, in conjunction with the Great Lakes Sea Kayak Association and other community partners, is active in cleaning up campsites and installing thunderboxes on Franklin Isle and surrounding crown lands. Though we all enjoy a campfire - in places like Franklin, it’s just not a good idea anymore as available deadwood is disappearing and a wildfire would be devastating. Please help us in making sure the beauty of Franklin is there for generations to come. Save the trees and see the stars! Read more...
Engouraging Young Paddlers
White Squall offers all youth programming at a lower rate to encourage young people to get outside. We donate lightweight Souris River kevlar canoes to the local high school out-trip club along with free canoe rentals on a yearly basis for their annual canoe trips. Each year, the district-wide Grade 8 Camp has been provided with kayak rentals at no charge. We welcome any donations to these efforts to support our youth.
 Getting Young People Outside
White Squall provides a wide range of training programmes for staff and students of schools, camps, colleges and universities across Ontario. We keep the cost of this and our own youth trips/clinics as low as we can to get young people outside in the fresh air!! Please get in touch and we can help you with your plans and ideas.
Sea kayaking on the Great Lakes
"Wild winds and hard rock and cold rain… that’s sea kayaking on Georgian Bay. But it’s also warm summer breezes and the sweet smell of pine on sun-baked rock. You just can’t ever take the Bay for granted and this changing beauty keeps me coming back to her. I can do that in a canoe-and in truth, that’s my first love... but a kayak does different things to the soul. It teases you to go further – sometimes to a place where you wonder at your sanity. In the journey, your self-importance wanes, quietly replaced with the power of water and wind. I find myself asking for safe passage, finally understanding that all my skill and gear and knowledge doesn’t hold a candle to the energy and wit of the big beyond. The best part is, it belongs to all of us-if we only take the time…" Tim Dyer – owner of White Squall
White Squall is dedicated to professional training & is a member of:
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