The Maritime Provinces are among the loveliest in Canada. Famous for lobster suppers, potato fields to the sea and Anne of Green Gables, Prince Edward Island, affectionately known as PEI, is Canada’s smallest province. It offers a concentrated dose of delightful scenery, friendly people, wonderful food and lots of ways to have fun outdoors. Now we can add rowing to the list of vacation choices. We have packaged up a small sample of the best of PEI.
Good things come in little packages. If you are like many people, your visit to the red island is brief. Pack a lot into one day of rowing. The Islanders are going to make a fuss over you and ensure that your day of rowing in PEI is fun and memorable. You’ll row coastal boats on this trip, which is logical given that PEI is an island surrounded by a lot of salty water. This trip is perfect for flatwater rowers who wish to experience a bit of coastal rowing – in a safe environment with experienced local guides and without the extremes that some coastal races and events offer. Charlottetown is a small capital city. You will enjoy a unique view of the capital city, from the spires of St. Dunstan’s Basilica, to the scenic Victoria Park, to the farms of dairy cows along our route. Read our blog post on PEI Rowing: Little Island Big Rowing to find the role that rowing played in the creation of Canada.
Those of you who know your Canadian history know that Charlottetown is the birthplace of Confederation. It was here in 1867 that the idea of Canada came into being. Although small, there is a lot to see and do in Charlottetown. Enjoy a city walking tour with the Heritage Players, whose streetside conversations bring history alive. Walk the harbour pathway, stopping for a lobster roll and of course an ice cream from Cow’s Creamery. They say it is Canada’s best. On such a small island it is easy to travel quickly to Cavendish, of Anne of Green Gables fame and home to a stunning national park along the Gulf of St. Lawrence. You could bike on the Confederation Trail, a rails to trails project, part of the Trans Canada Trail. Multiple golf courses dot the island, which is ringed by beautiful beaches and many fishing villages. Be sure to indulge in a lobster supper!
Guide/coach on water with you in a support boat or rowing.
Private rowing outings, tailored to you. Duration likely two or three hours, or shorter.
Doubles or singles.
Detailed Information Package, with specifics on getting there, arrival details and contacts, recommendations for accommodation, restaurant and grocery stores.
Boxed lunch to be enjoyed with your guide after the row.
Unles otherwise stated.
Arrive and get a quick tour of the Rowing PEI base at the Charlottetown Yacht Club plus a safety briefing. You will be presented with a Rowing PEI Tshirt for the excursion. Launch the boat or boats and off you go out of the marina and into Charlottetown harbour. Perhaps there will be a cruise ship in town, and there are always pleasure craft to see. You will proceed out along Victoria Park and up the North River. You will determine the turnaround point – how long and how far do you want to row? Return to the Charlottetown Yacht Club to wash and put away boats. Relax with your hosts and enjoy a boxed picnic brunch on the deck of CYC.
This schedule assumes a morning row. A sunset row is also an option, with the boxed brunch replaced by an appetizer spread.
