Kayaking with Venture Outfitters

                                                A day to Remember

Belleville’s West Zwick's Island Park is a splendid place to roam. The walking path features the majestic view of Lake Ontario’s great expanse that scenically embraces the curvaceous 121-kilometre-long arm of Quinte Bay.  Today, I was about to become a kayaking water babe on the Bay.

I headed towards Zwick's Venture Outfitters, housed in a pop-up on the Bay. It was here that I would set out for my kayak experience. Easy to find with its beautiful mural, I found Mark Schwartz - owner of Venture Outfitters. I was about to fulfill my dream for the day.

Mark Schwartz

the lovely mural

The go-to-guru for your paddling needs

For the past four years, Mark Schwartz been Belleville's kayak guy at his own  pop-up positioned at the park's prime waterfront spot for nearly four years.  A while back, he owned for eight years a travel company, but from a young age he began his underwater journey, making countless dives into the vast network of remote Caribbean islands. Not one to shirk the cold, he even dove in the Artic.

His dedication to helping novice and expert alike to safely paddle away in a peaceful manner, reflects his love of people and their yearning to get close up and personal on the water while using the best equipment in the business that you can buy on line.

 Visit the complete list of equipment here: www.ventureoutfitters.ca

                                                    

Mark carefully laid a grand variety of kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle boards on the ground after he emptied them all of water. Then the paddles came out.

Emptying out the water

Here come the paddles

 

The giant Mega stand-up paddle board (18'x 6').
 It holds up to eight adults and/or 20 kids - a total of 1500lbs.

"You can social distance on water using this big guy." 

 Mark owns and runs Venture Outfitters in several cities in Canada, where a vast top-of-the-line equipment is sold to outdoor enthusiasts of all ages who hike, bike and paddle. 

                                        Kayaks, canoes and boards galore

Checking those back seats

                           He also sells those lifejackets you'll wear when you go out. 

the iconic Stohlquist lifejacket

Sporting super comfy front padding, and handy, easy-to-reach-storage zippers with straps at several levels, this jacket totally outclassed all the others I had worn when on the water.

“You want to make sure a lifejacket doesn’t keep slipping up on you as older ones do. I want to make sure everyone is wearing the right size to give them, maximum comfort and safety, so they won’ t take them off while boating. “

                                             Pretty in pink or blue

“So, Nancy, which colour of kayak do you want?”  There was pink and orange, blue and white with top seats. There were sleek tandem kayaks (made for two; kayaks for three and the ubiquitous single seat kayak. Did you know you that there are blow up kayaks – perfect for the globe gliding kayaker?

Before setting out, he gave newbies a complimentary quick lesson on paddle grip and paddling technique.

                                                                   Mark giving a mini lesson

Bridge and launching dock


 "No, ducks; you can’t come along!"

   

Eager to launch off

We headed to the right of the bridge. Seven kilometres across, we could see Prince Edward County.  The skies were grey and the wind was clearly affecting wave force.

I was glad Mark came along to bring more muscle power to the paddling.

The rocky shoreline 

The view was interesting. Stacked rocks called caims dotted the shoreline. Their presence marks a trail path, while spiritually signifying balance patience and growth. Across the water on the left, Prince Edward County came into view with its houses nestled along the shore. 

           “The waters are calmer on the other side of the bridge."

            Maybe I'll explore that during their 10 pm full moon paddle.

 A plethora of pop-ups

 I went up Zwick's hill, and to my surprise, I came upon a series of pop-ups.

                              Belleville's poutine festival was in full swing.

A crowd was gathering around the food trucks

                                                                

I indulged myself biting into Quebec’s popular poutine dish. Then I made the circuit exploring the plethora of pop up offerings of food, favorite gifts and quirky surprises.

mmm... yum yum

                                                       

                                                                         

real squeezed lemons

                                         

I heard my name being called.  I turned around and there was Mark. He led me to his snow cone machine.

“Would you like one?”  What a generous guy! How could I refuse?!

Wow! The strawberry and coconut topping over tiny bits of crushed ice was so tasty.

 That certainly sealed a delicious dessert deal.

What a wonderful day! 

Thank you, Mark!

 

Visit Venture Outfitters website:

www.ventureoutfitters.ca

Email:info@ventureoutfitters.ca

Call: 1 888-204-4137

Facebook.com/ventureoutfitterscanada