Southern Paddling Destinations: The Ultimate Winter Escape
Brad & Wayne Jennings of Explore the Backcountry
Thursday, February 26th 7:00-9:00pm
Winter may mean cold winds and deep snow here in Ontario, but that doesn't mean you have to put away the paddles until spring thaw. Join father and son adventurers, Wayne and Brad Jennings from ExploreTheBackcountry.com, as they invite you to discover a new way to escape the cold Canadian winter in true Canuck fashion; with a canoe of course! Their presentation will visit the Lone Star State – Texas, where the Rio Grande River winds its way through the desert landscape of Big Bend National Park.
With the U.S. on one side and Mexico on the other, this border river cuts a swath through some of the most scenic vistas imaginable. Steep valleys, wide-open plains and deep vertical canyons rising 1,500 ft. on each side are truly awe-inspiring. Mix in some class II to IV rapids and it’s a non-stop adventure. Next we'll journey to the Sunshine State – Florida, where you'll learn about paddling along the Wilderness Waterway Trail in Everglades National Park. Manatees, dolphins and pelicans accompany the canoeist as you navigate your way through the sheltered mangrove-lined rivers and bays before eventually heading out into the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico where remote tropical islands await. Furthermore, you'll hear about some excellent points of interest along the Florida Keys Overseas Paddling Trail and historic Ft. Jefferson, one of the most unique backcountry destinations in North America!
The father-son team created Explore the Backcountry in 2008 as part of a television pilot. Eager to inspire individuals to explore the backcountry, they've since expanded with a website, countless videos and an ongoing book project. Their films have been featured at numerous paddling festivals including both the Reel Paddling and Waterwalker film festivals. Their video documentation of canoe trips can be traced back to a 15 year old Wayne, who in 1973, set off on his first solo canoe trip down the Moon River with an Argus Super 8 movie camera and half a dozen rolls of Super 8 film. Wayne turned his passion for film into a lifelong career as an ENG cameraman for a major Canadian TV Network. Wayne’s son, Brad, has been paddling since the age of 3. An avid paddler and adventure racer, he has translated his passion for the outdoors into the pursuit of studying his masters in environmental science and biogeochemistry at Trent University.
Call 519-455-6252 to register. No charge for admission. Donations to the London Food Bank are welcome.