Lots to discover on Kempenfelt Bay (14 photos)

More and more people are playing on Kempenfelt Bay, which is creating a resort-like atmosphere that feeds into the buzz that Barrie is a great city to visit.

No longer is the bay just for sailors, power boaters and dragon boat enthusiasts who are gearing up for the 14th annual festival August 27.

“There’s huge opportunity with people living in the GTA coming up for the day to go paddling, go for a sail, then go home,” said Tourism Barrie executive director Kathleen Trainor.

“They can spend their money and not just sit on the beach. They can rent a bike at Bikeland and get around Barrie or go for a beautiful sail or paddle on the lake. It’s a fantastic opportunity to brand Barrie as a tourism destination.”

For Barrie residents, the activity on the bay encourages them to spend their holiday at home and support local businesses, which also makes the waterfront a more playful place to be.

From Chances R Sailing Excursions on the dock at the bottom of Bayfield Street and along the waterfront to Northern Exposure Stand Up Paddling and westward to Happy Paddling on the west edge of Centennial Park, there are family friendly options to enjoy the bay this summer.

“Barrie is still a very friendly city,” said Captain Phil Pilgrim, who offers morning, afternoon and evening cruises on his 38-foot Hunter sailboat.

Eighty-five percent of his customers are from out of town.

“There were two people from Georgia and two from Milton and two from Barrie (on a cruise last week). They applauded. It was shocking. It made me feel good that they appreciated the venue,” he said.

Each sail is different – due to the winds and the forecast. He heads out on the bay that measures 10 miles long and sails for about two hours.

“You can see all the nice big mansions outside the city. It’s certainly not boring,” the 30-year sailor said of the route.

“Every sail is different. It depends on which way the wind is blowing. I tend to get at least halfway down the bay. People can take the helm, pull o the line or just kick back and relax.”

Capt. Phil got addicted to sailing when he was in his late 20s, when he stepped aboard a 26-foot sailboat. “I was hooked,” he recalled and with a meager $6,000 budget, he went shopping for a boat and found a 22-foot sailboat that had few amenities. He named her Windrush.

He has sailed thousands of kilometres and on many waters. He has even taken people sailing in the British Virgin Islands.

He loves the sport and he enjoys people, so last year, he set up Chances R Sailing Excursions on a dock in the city-owned marina.

His boat – Chances R – dates to 2007. He named her that, because as he was awaiting delivery, he overheard a couple discussing who recorded the song “Chances Are”. He knew the answer – Johnny Mathis.

“Usually something positive happens after ‘Chances are… you’ll get that job’,” said Capt. Phil. “Chances are you come on board, you’ll have a good time.”

He moved to the more visible location this year.

“Now with this new site, there’s a buzz. I expect in August there will be more Barrie-ites coming,” said the captain, who added photos on social media are showing the beauty of a sail on Kempenfelt Bay.

An excursion for two costs $129 plus tax and can be booked online at chancesrsailingexcursions.com.

“I’ve been through everything. Sometimes a storm will blow in – that’s Kempenfelt Bay. It’s probably one of the nicest freshwater bays in the world. It’s extraordinary.”

Heading west and just past the city-owned marina, there’s Northern Stand Up Paddle. Created by long-time water sport enthusiast Brent Ackland, Northern SUP is continuing to grow in its third summer season. A full-time fitness coach, Ackland has been a leader in bringing PaddleFit to Canada.

Not only does Northern SUP introduce people to a safe way to have fun on the water, but the business also offers PaddleFit classes, kids lessons and private lessons. There are introductory lessons Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at 9 a.m., which  focus on safety as well as the fundamentals of the sport. Ackland also offers ‘socials for locals’ on Mondays, especially for those who already know the basics but who would love to learn more on and about Kempenfelt Bay

Kids’ classes take place Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., for a cost of $40 for drop-ins and $175 for a five-class pass.

Private and group lessons are also available, as is team training. Booking takes place online at northernsup.com/sup-lessons.

Just west of the Centennial Park playground are Ann and Mike Valin.

Happy Paddling began last year, with instruction, trips and tours. This year, the Valins added rentals.

“We love being on the water and getting people out on the water. Off the beach and on the water is a whole new experience,” said Ann, who worked for years for the Barrie Non-Profit Housing Corporation.

She and her husband wrapped up their careers in non-profit housing and began sharing their love – riding the waves  – two summers ago. They indulge in stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking and canoeing.

“If people are safe, they can have fun,” said Ann. “If you’re on the water zipped and clipped, you’re good to go.

“Moms bring the kids down. Everybody gets a lesson and a safety talk. They spend 10 minutes in front of us and, usually, Mom. They can go along the buoy line and we watch, Mom and Dad watch and the lifeguards are watching. They’re being introduced to paddling and learning.”

Mike added adults shouldn’t feel intimidated by paddling.

“Thirty per cent of our customers are first-time paddlers,” said Mike. “(The kayaks) are plug n’ play, with a quick 10-minute safety talk.”

New paddlers can get their bearings in a 100-metre area.

“We keep new paddlers close to shore as they learn and gain confidence,” he said.

The Valins are on the beach seven days a week, as they offer lessons in the morning and open up with rentals at 11 a.m. Happy Paddling also offers sit-on-top kayaks, which are very stable. No one has tipped one yet, noted Ann.

“Husbands and wives and families have embraced (paddling) together,” said Ann.

Prices include an hour for a solo kayak for $25 and $40 for an hour on a tandem kayak. Rentals include paddles, a safety kit and PFDs. More information is at happypaddling.com.

Happy Paddling’s location provides lots to see and experience.

“One of the highlights for the kids is paddling through Rotary Fountain,” said Ann. “They can see rainbows.”

For the Valins, the experience has been incredible as they’ve supported first-timers to venture onto the bay.

“First-timers, especially new Canadians, when they come into shore, they think they’ve won the lottery. It’s wonderful to see their faces (so lit up). We get to share that,” said Mike.

“We had one family from Bombay, India. The next week, two young women came in, then the next week another fellow came. They were all related,” said Mike.

Ann added the bay is attracting people from around the world – India, Armenia, Turkey, Syria, Israel, Australia and of course, the United Kingdom and Europe.

“We have a very international beach,” she said.

But sometimes the feedback from neighbours is just as rewarding as the repeat business.

“People have been saying they’ve been waiting for years to get out paddling. We have excitement from the locals. They can do things on the water and not just sit on the beach.”