Paddler Co-op - Palmer Rapids, Ontario

Tilted A.

We recently had the pleasure of visiting Paddler Co-op, for the "Palmer paddler river fest" and we can't recommend it enough for anyone who loves canoeing, camping, or white water adventures! The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about outdoor activities, making it a great resource for both beginners and seasoned paddlers.

The selection of gear is impressive, from whitewater canoes and kayaks to pretty much all your whitewater equipment needs. They also offer workshops that are perfect for honing your skills.

What really stood out to us was the sense of community. The co-op hosts regular events and meet-ups, which are a fantastic way to connect with fellow outdoor enthusiasts. The atmosphere is welcoming, and everyone is eager to share tips and experiences. We can't wait to return for our next adventure!

Cole B.

I went to Paddler Co-Op with VERY little experience with white water. Ryan, our instructor, is not only an expert paddler, he’s a top-notch instructor. We covered the basics like white water paddle strokes, reading the river, how to most safely float downstream if you capsize etc. I now feel that I have an essential foundation on which to keep learning!

Andy D.

Awesome experience for our group of 4 with thanks to the team at Paddlers’ Co-op including Mya/Ruby and the office staff who made planning the trip super easy. It was my first time on whitewater and I have never been on the Madawaska. We rented great equipment from Paddlers including helmet/lifejackets/paddles and whitewater canoes. The river itself is great with great sites and all portages are well maintained. We camped night 1 at the co-op and set off for Griffith’s down river. 3 day trip with amazing camping right beside rapids both nights. Coordinating pick up with Paddlers Coop was easy peasy. Would highly recommend this short adventure. I’m sure a guided trip with Paddlers would be great as well!

marie B.

I am 67 years old and always wanted to do white water kayaking. For some reason it never happened.

I finally booked a 2 day course, at Paddlers Co-op,with my friend, she is also a retiree, but much younger!

The booking with Mel was really informative and helpful.

When we got to the Paddlers Co-op, Kerry was just as efficient as Mel.

We brought our own wet suit but all the equipment we rented was in very good condition.

Ryan was our instructor. Right away his calm demeanor made us feel like it was totally normal for us to get on this adventure.

The progression was very smooth and adapted to our level.

Ryan always has safety as a priority. That definitely made me calm and made me progress faster!

The instructions were always clear, many visual comparisons made it easy to grasp what the task was.

Ryan praised our smallest success which gave us more confidence to push further and we did! The s the c, the entering in the strong current and the quick turnaround and the cherry on top was the successful running down of the river with several white water stages with NO stopping! What a feast!

After 2 days, I feel confident I can continue this sport and have the exhilaration that I experienced during this course.

Both my friend and I will continue to practice and we are coming back to Paddlers Co-op, for our next course!

Thank you gang at the co-op!

By the way our friends are so envious of our experience, they want to come with us on our next course !

A few pictures of my last descent taken by Penny, a by-stander on shore. Thank you Penny.

Tara T.

Always love Paddler Co-op! I've been booking group sites there nonstop this year, very friendly on the phone and always accommodating! I highly recommend you check them out.
They can accommodate groups and single campers, with either tents or campers. Right on the water for easy access. They even have rentals, so you don't have to have your own. The property is well maintained and clean. Beautiful area.

Chris N.

Spent this weekend doing an intro to white water course in a tandem canoe at Paddler Co-op. Had an amazing time. Our instructor, Ryan, was very skilled and experienced and was able to work with our group very well. His teaching techniques were very easy to understand and he gave great feedback. Highly recommend the courses there and I'll definitely be heading back in the future to take a more advanced course.

Jaden C.

I had never whitewater kayaked before, and the Two Day Whitewater Kayak Course was such an awesome experience!! Highly recommend for anyone interested in getting into whitewater kayaking or who want to improve their skills!! So much fun.

Joseph S.

We were guided by Ryan & Ben on a 3-day river canoeing trip. Both Ryan and Ben were absolutely amazing throughout the entire trip. Their enthusiasm, engagement, positive attitude, knowledge of paddling, and willingness to teach was inspiring and kept a group of 12 adults inspired and energised the entire trip. I highly recommend paddler co-op to anyone looking to try paddling or take a trip to see the beauty of northern Ontario.