Parks Canada is welcoming paddlers from across the region to join in the excitement of Lock & Paddle 2025, taking place Saturday, July 19 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Peterborough Lift Lock, part of the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site.
The free, family-friendly event marks Canada’s Parks Day and features group lockages at the world’s tallest hydraulic lift lock, rising 65 feet above the canal. Paddlers in canoes and kayaks will get the rare chance to float together through the historic lock, surrounded by live entertainment and community spirit.
No registration is needed, but safety rules apply: lifejackets, signaling devices, heaving lines, bailers and watertight flashlights are mandatory. Inflatable boats, paddleboards, and pets are not permitted in the lockage.
Paddlers without their own gear can rent from Kawartha Outfitters, Wild Rock Outfitters, or Liftlock Paddle Co. Free lockage for paddlecraft is also being offered at sites across the Trent-Severn Waterway this summer.
The event is rain or shine, so dress for the weather and bring sunscreen and water. Public parking is available nearby, and visitors are encouraged to carpool or arrange drop-offs.
Celebrate the great outdoors in true Canadian style at Lock & Paddle 2025!
(Written by: Joseph Goden)