Join our giant flotilla of canoes and kayaks travelling 25 km from Hope to Agassiz!

We invite you to paddle with us and a team of river scientists, an Indigenous cultural guide, historians and naturalists who will all share their knowledge and different perspectives of the mighty Fraser River. Bring your own boat or hop aboard one of our large, guided Voyageur canoes. There’s something for all skill levels, and a motorized escort boat will keep everyone safe on the river.

Along the way, you’ll visit the gravel bars, side channels, islands, and riparian forests that make this part of the Fraser so important to fish and wildlife. Mark Angelo, founder of World Rivers Day, calls this part of the river the “Heart of the Fraser” in honour of the ecological wealth found there. The Hope-to-Mission stretch produces up to 10 million pink salmon annually, and hundreds of thousands of chum salmon. No other part of the Fraser produces more fish. In fact, 30 species of fish are found here, including the largest population of sturgeon in Canada.

As the population of this region continues to grow, it is increasingly important that we better understand and protect this incredibly important river.

COST:
- Your own canoe or kayak - $150/person
- Voyageur canoe space - $217/person

See “Skill Levels” below, to find out which travel option is best for you.

Age limit: For the safety of everyone, kids 8 years old and older are welcome to participate in this program. Anyone age 18 and younger must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian on the same vessel.

Price includes:
- Professional river guides
- Powered safety raft escort
- Bus transportation between Agassiz and Hope
- Educational tour
Note: This is a self-catered event; bring your own drinks and packed lunch.

SKILL LEVELS AND PHYSICAL DEMAND:
Voyageur
These large canoes hold up to 20 paddlers and offer excellent stability. Each Voyageur is navigated by experienced river guides. Paddling is easy and no experience or special equipment is required. You’ll paddle the river as the Stó:lo and early settlers did!

Participants will be expected to paddle, but we will be going down river with the river current so only a moderate physical fitness is required. Participants will need to be able to manoeuvre in and out of a large canoe, and walk in the water to the watercraft across rocky, uneven river shore.

​Please be aware that our programs run regardless of weather conditions, unless we determine that it will affect the safety of participants.

Itinerary:
Sunday, September 22, 2024

8:00 AM - Check in beside the Fraser River on Wardle street, Hope, followed by an introduction and safety talk. People with their own boats may drive directly to the Hope launch site to unload there if vehicle is capable of driving over rock and sand. Otherwise, park on Wardle St and carry boats down.

9:00 AM – Flotilla of boats depart from Hope, traveling 40 km downriver to the Cheam Fishing Village, stopping for lunch and sights of interest along the way. Be sure to stay within earshot of the Voyageur canoe(s) to hear guest speakers along the way.

5:00 PM – Arrive at destination. Shuttle bus takes participants back to Hope (25-minute drive). Staff watch over boats at the Cheam Fishing Village until participants return with their vehicles to load canoes/kayaks and head home.

Be aware that times are approximate. Start and end times may vary depending on speed of the group, weather conditions, etc.

What to bring:
- Participants should be prepared for the demands of changing weather and all belongings should be packed in waterproof bags (especially electronics!).
- This event is self-catered, please bring sufficient water for the day, lunch and/or snacks for yourself as needed.
- Hat, sunglasses and sunblock
- Sturdy footwear that you’re OK getting wet! —ie watershoes or secured sandals are good; wool socks inside old runners work well too
- Toque and gloves
- Rain jacket and rain pants
- Waterproof carrying bag
- Warm layers (non-cotton)
- String for glasses (it can get very windy!)
- Complete change of clothes
- Camera
- Binoculars

Meet Your Guides
Moon Pruvost
Program Director
Moon is Hope Mountain Centre’s Program Director. She is an experienced educator and backcountry mountain guide. Her passion for the natural world and grizzly bears led her to study Wildlife and Forestry Conservation. She is certified in Wilderness First Aid, Avalanche Skills Training, Leave No Trace Master Educator and has experience as a bush craft/survival instructor.
Moon loves to share her knowledge and love of the outdoors with people of all ages! When she is not guiding, you can usually find her exploring the outdoors with her puppy, Kenai.

Cancellation:
Sorry no refunds! You can pass on your spot to someone else who meets the physical demand of the program, just please let us know, as we need registration information from everyone.

A program may be cancelled at the discretion of HMCOL. If a program is cancelled by HMCOL, participants will receive a full refund of program fees. Please be aware that our programs run regardless of weather conditions, unless HMCOL determines that it will affect the safety of participants.

Hope Mountain Centre reserves the right to change the location of a program for the safety of our participants and staff. No refund offered when location is changed.

Additional information:
Liability Waiver
Everyone ages 19 & over must sign a liability waiver form in order to participate in this program. Please take the time to read this form because you must understand and agree to it when you sign it. By signing it you are waiving certain rights, including the right to sue. These forms will be available to sign when you check in. Please seek legal counsel if you have any questions.

Informed Consent Form
Everyone, age 18 & under must have an informed consent form signed by their parents or legal guardian in order to participate. Please contact us if you need this form prior to arrival at this program.