Four ways to become one with the waves

Emma Drudge dips her paddle in at Shubie. Credit: MEGHAN TANSEY WHITTON

1 Kayak in Lower Prospect Rent a sea kayak from the paddling experts at East Coast Outfitters and spend a day meandering around every rocky inlet of the Lower Prospect—you can make your own self-led adventure, or book a tour (half-day or full-day) with one of ECO’s guides. 2017 Lower Prospect Road, eastcoastoutfitters.com

2 Take a SUP yoga class SUP Yoga Halifax offers a variety of classes that involve you and a stand-up paddle board—SUP fitness, SUP yoga and the basics of SUPing. Its summer season hasn’t kicked off yet, but go online for a schedule. 71 Todd’s Island Road
St. Margarets Bay, supyogahalifax.ca

3 Tube the Gaspereau River There’s a short-lived span of time to rent a tube, crack a drink and bob your way day the valley’s beautiful Gaspereau. Search Gaspereau River Tubing on Facebook and get in on this Nova Scotia bucket-lister while the going’s good. 3484 Black River Road, Wolfville

4 Canoe the Arm Take a load off and dip a paddle in the Northwest Arm, canoe rental is free Saturdays and Sunday at St. Mary’s Boat club June through the end of September. Rentals are for hour-long blocks of time —perfect for a leisurely cruise—and run 11am-7pm. 1641 Fairfield Road

Paddle like a pro Emma Drudge is a paddling enthusiast, wilderness guide, whitewater instructor and one-time competitive whitewater slalom canoer from Ontario. She’s also the former editor of Rapid, a badass whitewater mag. Drudge, who studied in Halifax, recently returned to Nova Scotia largely because of its easy access to nature—and water. Here are her favourite paddling discoveries so far.

“If you have a day or evening, hit up Shubie Park in Dartmouth for all the beauty of a wilderness canoe scene—albeit with a little highway noise,” say Drudge, pictured above at Shubie. “It blew my mind what a gem this spot is. And it’s so close. I get the whole City of Lakes thing now. Long Lake has similar things going for it. Both of these are an easy after-work adventure now that the sun is setting so late.”

“Keji is a must if you have a few days. I’ve only explored snippets of it so far, but have a bunch of time booked in the backcountry there in July. My sense is that this is an ultra-classic without being crowded or overdone.”

“I had the amazing luck of tagging along on an early-spring whitewater canoe run in the Tobeatic Wilderness Area this spring. It’s an absolutely magical part of the province to explore by canoe if you’re able to venture a little further afield.”