The six teens canoeing for food banks across Canada are not slowing down any time soon.
They feel like Energizer bunnies that keep going and going, but with that comes a huge sense of accomplishment.
That’s because when they arrived in Espanola last night, they found out they had not only reached their primary goal of $60,000 for Food Banks Canada, they are now exceeding it.
They were further astounded by the generosity of the community with a $2,800 donation from Tanner’s YIG in Espanola.
Another $300 was donated to the Espanola Helping Hand Food Bank in their name by the Espanola Lions Club.
The six also received new t-shirts and gift cards compliments of the Moose Kindness Cruiser, and took in other small donations from the community.
Canoe4Covid are six teens who are currently on a 2,000-kilometre canoe trip across Ontario with one tent and two canoes.
They started out in northwestern Ontario and admit the first 20 days was some of the toughest travel ever because of the lack of any known canoe route through the area. The bugs and days of walking through the heavy bush was a challenge for all six, especially through a huge swath of land where they literally portaged for three days because there was no water route.
The weather was also a factor with them having to hold up their trip by two days due to the heavy winds on Lake Superior, but eventually, they made their way to calmer water and started to enjoy the trip, including spotting a moose or two and a bear, as well as plenty of bald eagles.
The six admitted they didn’t always agree, but in the end, they are ‘all brothers and found common ground’ to work through the challenges and get everything done. With everyone knowing what needed to get done, they could easily set up or take down camp by the time they reached the half-way mark.
As for COVID19, they say it is almost surreal to return to ‘civilization’ seeing people in masks and physical distancing, but all six return to the city and their respective lives by the end of August, so they expect that will take some adjustment as well.
Today, they are heading east to North Bay, they plan to be there by August 14th, and then they will eventually make their way down the Mattawa and Ottawa rivers to finish their 2,000-kilometre trip in the nation’s capital, concluding 60 days of hard canoeing for a great cause, and a trip of a lifetime.
Want to follow their journey – go online: @Canoe4Covid www.canoe4covid.com /Canoe4Covid
Photos
Left to right: The six teens that makeup Canoe4COVID are two-thirds of the way through their cross-Ontario canoe trip to raise money for Food Banks Canada. Not only have they reached, but they are also exceeding their goal of $60,000 accepting nearly another $3,000 in Espanola yesterday. Here they are seen with Tanner Lafreniere, the owner of Tanner’s YIG in Espanola who hosted a fundraiser over the last month for the cause.
Behind the boys: Tanner Lafreniere
Canoe4COVID canoeists – left to right:
Will Vyse: Royal St. George’s College School, Class of 2020 Will is an experienced canoe tripper and spends his summers as a camp counsellor. He has 173 days of canoe tripping experience and has battled through some of the toughest terrains Ontario has to offer. In 2018 Will embarked on a 50-day canoe trip through northern Ontario, where his trip paddled Lake Nipissing in one day (100km). In September, he will attend McGill University for Bioengineering with a scholarship.
Cailan Robinson: Oasis Alternative Secondary School (TDSB) Class of 2020 Cailan is a committed outdoor adventurist. He has spent one summer as a camp counsellor, and lead four canoe trips, where he taught children the joys and wonders of paddling in the wild. Cailan has since created his own wilderness brand “SHWHACK,” and he has sold many handcrafted paddles, skateboards, and much more. In September, he will begin a 2-year Outdoor Adventure program at Algonquin College. Outside of canoe tripping, Cailan works as a certified lifeguard and coaches a rep soccer team.
Jacob Heisey: Ursula Franklin Secondary School (TDSB), Class of 2020 Jacob has spent his summers as a camp tripper and counsellor paddling across the wilds of Ontario and Quebec. He has over 100 days of canoe tripping experience and is a powerhouse when paddling a canoe. He has lived on the Toronto Islands his whole life paddling in his backyard –Lake Ontario. In September he will attend the Rowe School of Business Co-op Commerce Program at Dalhousie University.
Tim Mulligan: Greenwood College School, Class of 2020 Tim is an experienced canoe tripper and spends his summers as a camp counsellor. He has 128 days of canoe tripping experience and has battled through some of the toughest terrains Ontario has to offer. In 2018 he embarked on a 50-day canoe trip through northern Ontario, where his trip paddled Lake Nipissing in one day (100km). Outside of canoe tripping, Tim is a two-time North American Muay Thai champion.
Nolan Aziz: Crescent School Class of 2020 Nolan is an experienced and versatile canoe tripper and spends his summers as a camp counsellor. He is very knowledgeable of tripping on large bodies of water, for example, his trip along the shores of James Bay. He has also endured many river trips and is comfortable maneuvering his boat around the dangers of rapids. In September, Nolan will be attending Dalhousie University for the General Science program.
Georges Kirijian: Northern Secondary School (TDSB) Class of 2020 Georges is an experienced canoe tripper. He has spent ten summers at camp as both a camper and a counsellor. Over the years, he has completed 157 days of canoe tripping, including a 42-day canoe trip in 2016 and a 50-day canoe trip in 2017. Outside of canoe tripping, Georges is a CSIA certified ski instructor and has taught skiing for two years. In September, he will begin a 2-year Outdoor Adventure program at Algonquin College.
Photo by Rosalind Russell – myespanolanow.com/myalgomamanitoulinnow.com staffer
The Espanola Lions Club presented a $300 in the name of the six canoeists of Canoe4COVID to the Espanola Helping Hand Food Bank.
Espanola Mayor Jill Beer offered words of congratulations and encouragement to the six young men who make up the Canoe4COVID team.
