Google map of Henley Pond
(Search "Henley Island Drive, St. Catharines")
Henley pond is a very interesting place to paddle. It may be familiar to you as the home of the Henley Regatta Rowing course, but away from the course there is a lot of great area to Canoe and Kayak.
First off getting there. Henley Island is accessible via "Henley Island Drive"(makes sense methinks) which you can get to via "Main Street" in Port Dalhousie. Once you get on to Henley Island Drive, you'll go over a bridge, and just after the bridge there's a parking lot on the right side. This is where I launch from. It's not the easiest launch in the world but it's pretty doable, there's a little trail down to the water which is pretty easy to find, there's also another spot with a bit of a rock "beach" area which would probably work well - although I've never tried it.
So now you're in the water, where do you go? Well there's lots of options, You can head back under the bridge you just drove over and head towards Port Dalhousie or you can head into the opposite direction out into the open section by the race course, or you can head south and go into the "swamp". Or if you're feeling adventurous - and have the energy you can head up towards the 12 Mile creek and fight the current.
"The Main Pond"
The main pond is pretty easy water to paddle. You can go around the island, and head all the way down towards the main town of Port Dallhousie or you can go paddle over by the rowing course. This is where the major downside of this area comes out. The pond can be extremely busy with Rowers. While I haven't had any issues yet, I've found you need to keep your eyes peeled for the coaches in the power boats.. they don't seem to be to interested in "sharing the water" and more or less also don't respect the law of giving way to paddle craft. I can't also imagine you'd be very popular if you paddled into the rowing course during a race either.. So it's probably a good idea to make sure there's no regattas on, and if there is maybe go to another body of water, unless you don't mind the traffic (both on the water and the roadways)
"The Swap Route"
This is my favorite way to go. From the island head more or less due south but stay to the right (west side) From here you'll go under Martindale Road, and into "the swamp". Go under the bridge for the bike path and you head into an area where there's lots of paddling to do. After you go under the bridge head to the left and there's a creek that runs for what seems like miles. There's lots of wildlife to see (birds, turtles, etc). Eventually the creek runs out, but it's a good distance. The only downside to this route is the weeds.... once the summer comes and the water level dips a bit the weeds can make it a pretty slow crawl, but it's worth it.
Last summer my buddy Rob and I took my gopro out with us and I cut it into a cheesy video.
"Twelve Mile Creek"
If you head out from the island to the East (towards the rowing course) and then start heading south once your out in the main section eventually you'll hit the Twelve Mile Creek. First thing to keep in mind.. the Twelve Mile Creek has one hell of a current, and you'll be paddling against it. I don't recommend this for an absolute beginner. Just before you get to the mouth of the river you'll see several large concrete "blocks" in the water. Avoid these. They are weirs to break the current so it doesn't affect the rowing course. If you go into these be aware that there a lot of strange currents that flow through them that will grab your boat and slam you into the weirs if your not careful.. so if you do try to paddle over there, keep your head on a swivel (so to speak).
The biggest warning I offer with the Twelve mile creek is that Ontario Hydro owns most of the land on either side of it after a certain point (I can't recall exactly where but I've been told it's best not to pass the old bridge piling just below the rapids) and they don't like (ie: will charge you with trespassing) if you go up too far. (so I've been told)... Plus if you go up past the old bridge piling you will hit massive rapids... so probably not the smartest idea to go up that far unless you are experienced with whitewater and such.
Overall this is a great place to paddle. It's got a few drawbacks, but what spot doesn't.
As always, please feel free to ask questions or leave comments.
See you on the water.
Ryan.
