My Blog: Latest Boating News & Columns

Here are a few samples of the portraits I'll have on display at the Bracebridge 150 celebration fair. The web album collection is growing rapidly for the day! My exhibition will attempt to represent some of the men and women who bring something special to our community.

It was a sparkling bright day on Sunday, January 26th, for the annual Muskoka Loppet at Arrowhead Provincial Park in Huntsville. Nearly 300 skiers signed up, spanning from under 10 years of age to over 80. About 40 volunteers make it all happen during the day along with the generous support of sponsors Algonquin Outfitters, Du Vernet Photography, The SportLab and F.J.Williams surveyors. A large contingent of skiers from Nippissing University participated and ultimately took home some medals.
Great Job everyone.
A special album of images highlights the day. If you would like to order a digital file from the image, contact me directly at info@duvernetphotography.com and I will send you the high res file. $12each.

Was it a trick or a treat? Hallowe'en day was perfect for cycling around the High Park loop. Autumn colours, temperatures in the 20's and the sun poked out now and then. The cyclists doing the loop provided the perfect opportunity to experiment with camera settings to blur the background. I learned that while slower shutter speeds do blur the background, they can also give too much blur to the subject. Notice how some spokes disappear while others show up slightly. Ideally, I would have been closer to the cyclists, but I didn't want to crowd their space. Thanks to the two guys who stopped and asked what I was doing. Leonard and Ahmet!

The bi-annual Muskoka Seaflea fest was held at Rockhaven Inn Saturday, July 20th. It is as always, an event filled with family fun that lets kids of all ages take the steering wheel of a seaflea and go crazy! The unquestionable highlight of the day is the dogs and seaflea event. The event is non-profit and donations go to the SPCA. There really isn't a better way to spend a summer Saturday. The bug is so infectious that you will likely wind up getting a boat for yourself. Chris and Andrew Taylor head up the event that is supported with sponsorship and a host of volunteers.

More photos can be found in the Seaflea Fest gallery:
Seaflea Flest 24

The forward drive Fleetwood II, built by Minett-Shields, is definitely floating art. Recently caressed by Brackley Boats, her finish is spectacular. I decided to play with this shot by combining a different cloud background, removing all the cottages and then turning the background black and white while keeping the boat in colour. It reminds me of a classic British car, like a DB5 set against an angry sky.

The first of possibly two Elementary Nordic ski days was held on Feb. 9. Four hundred kids from across the region participated in the races. The event is organized by the Arrowhead Nordic Ski Club at Arrowhead Provincial Park. Sixty volunteers come together to help make it happen. If all goes well, another such day will be held in March. The club is always looking for helping hands, so reach out if you would like to volunteer. It really is a lot of fun and the kids just love it.

More photos are in an album in the Community Fun section. Photo Albums

Arrowhead Provincial Park once again hosted the annual Muskoka Loppet. Nearly 300 participants enjoyed unusually warm and pleasant weather. The conditions were amazing considering the rain and general lack of snow. The Arrowhead Nordic Ski Club organizes the event. A huge number of volunteers make it possible. The age of participants spanned nearly 70 years!

Web album link: Loppet Portfolio

YouTube link: Video

Please check out both the portfolio of images and the YouTube video highlighting some of the action.

Digital files are available for download at a cost of $8.00 each plus HST $1.04. Please e-transfer to info@duvernetphotography.com with your order. No password is required.

NIKA is one of the premier Minett-Shields launches of Muskoka. At 36' long, she is a commanding presence. The Boat Builder shop in Port Carling completed a full restoration including a new bottom and refinishing. The result is spectacular. She was launched as the autumn colours of Muskoka were nearing their prime. Look forward to seeing her at the shows again next summer.

The colours of autumn are just about blown away in Muskoka, but James Gardens was spectacular in the misty light of late afternoon and early evening. Check out the portfolio for more samples.

Whippet, a Ditchburn Sports Runabout, powered by an Ilmor marine conversion engine, blasts out off a wave on Lake Rosseau. She is the poster boat for the 2024 MLA boat show. With Matthew Herrmann at the wheel, this powerful boat is the epitome of the era's demonstration of speed and design. Whippet's lines are similar to other Ditchburns, such as BIV and Rainbow III, which are also magnificent craft.

The Canadian Voyageur Brigade finished their ten day journey at Hiawatha on August 6th. The big canoes arrived to the sound of drums pounding and men singing. Greeted at the shore, the paddlers made their way up to the Centre where they were welcomed, share food, a smudge blessing and the opportunity to insert a porcupine quill into the community art work by Sandra Moore. CBVS Committee Chairman Bruce Clark bathes in the smoke of the smudge during the welcoming ceremony.

This is what a Voyageur canoe looks like when it is about to tip over! This deliberate capsize was part of the safety training at the start of the Canadian Voyageur Brigade Society trip from Georgian Bay to Hiawatha. The Bracebridge team with Stephen Scholten at the bow.

The Spirit of Paddling

By Tim Du Vernet

The image of the canoe is a Canadian national icon that transcends many social boundaries of politics, economics and class. The symbolism of the canoe truly brings us together. In this spirit, in the theme of “passing the paddle”, a group of over 100 paddlers representing teams from across Canada, as well as representation from the UK, gathered at Waubaushene to begin a journey of nearly 300km through the Trent-Severn waterway on July 30 and finished August 6th at the Haiwatha Reserve on Rice Lake.

Teams of 8 to 16 members paddled Voyageur and Montreal styled canoes the distance, broken up in manageable segments that permitted camping along the way. The event was organized by the Canadian Voyageur Brigade Society, which has run similar Brigades down river systems in Canada over a span of more than 20 years.

The concept of “passing the paddle” continues to be a central theme in the procession of canoes as the Brigade was welcomed by different communities. Inspiration and direction for the events has come from Bruce Clark, who has intimate knowledge of paddling in many regions of Canada.

Participants ranged in age from 13 to over 80 and included an all-female crew that drew representation from across Canada. For about half the participants, this was their first taste of Brigade paddling. It can be tough going at times, with long distances and weather to contend with, but the rewards of meeting the challenges and making new friends consistently make it worthwhile.

The final days of the journey brought us to the shores next to the new site of the Canadian Canoe Museum where we were warmly greeted and received a presentation about the new CCM plans. At the Hiawatha Reserve centre, our boats arrived to the stirring sounds of drums and chanting. Chief Laurie Carr formally welcomed the group and Bruce Clark presented a ceremonial paddle. Artist Sandra Moore invited paddlers to insert a porcupine quill into her community quill artwork. Lisa Fournier shared her medicine and gift of the smudge ceremony with our members. We celebrated with food that included a wild rice salad.

Boats at Speed



Since 1977 I have photographed wooden boats of all forms. From rowboats and canoes to MISS CANDADA IV. This new book, in layflat design, includes some of the most exciting boats of my photographic career. The title Boat at Speed indicates that the book will focus on boat in motion, the speed, the spray, the excitement. This new book will be printed on an "on-demand" basis in a limited number. A maximum of 300 books will be printed. The first 100 books will cost $350 each. The book is 78 pages and 10" x 14" in size. If you wish to order a copy, send me a message. Custom features of a book can be arranged in advance for a small fee, depending on your wishes. For example, it is possible to choose your cover image (as long as it fits effectively) and to order a custom sleeve. The books are printed by Photobook Canada. The first copy should be at the boat show for viewing.

The ACBS-Toronto Spring Tour of boat shops is ON! After being virtual, boat builders will be welcoming tour members this Saturday, April 22. Stop by Rob Gerigs "The Boatbuilder" shop in Port Carling for my display. You can also pre-order a copy of the very limited edition of "Boats At Speed" book. My new book will feature some of the most famous boats in racing history as well as select boats running at speed. Clearly a showcase of my boating photography, many historic events spanning more than 40 years, are represented.

Award winning, "Born Again", an 18' Ditchburn sport runabout (pictured here at speedP will also be on display at the Allman Boat Works in Allensville (south of Huntsville) She is looking for a new home and you may still have a chance!

Ian Crowley and the Muskoka Rock Choir celebrated both with their spring concert on Saturday. With the uplifting thoughts of Easter's renewal and the pending warmth of Spring, the music brightened all our spirits.

The Choir practices twice weekly for months to get ready and the passion is clear. With Mike Phillips, Sean Cotton, Shon Roper, Lauren McInnes and Rene Lavoie performing, it was an exciting evening for sure. Sean Cotton clearly enjoys the music and carries a lot of passion in the process.

Well done everyone and wishing all the blessings of spring!

With the intense sun and warming temperatures, the snow of winter starts to melt, filling ponds and streams. Stubbs Falls in Arrowhead Provincial park is filling quickly. When photographing moving water, it can help to use a slower shutter speed to give some blur to the water, enhancing the sense of speed.

The intense spring sun also brings out the shadows between the pillow shapes of snow. Use a longer focal length to compress the distance, which can enhance the rhythm of undulations.

FOR MORE PHOTOS CLICK HERE

Countless numbers of Muskoka Elementary school students enjoyed a perfect winter's day for ski "races". Organized by the Arrowhead Ski Club, almost as many volunteers made the day run smoothly. Kids from Grade One to Eight sped around a the Bunny Trail and parts of the Roe on a day that almost wasn't, following high winds that sprayed debris everywhere. But the day was smiles and hot chocolate and a chance to run down the big hill on your skis.

The Ontario University Nordic ski races were held at Arrowhead Provincial Park the week of February 20, 2023. Here are a few photos of the event. I also put together a short video of some exhausting clips!
YouTubeClips

When the thaws come, water starts to flow and icicles form. One of the best places to look for the formation of icicles is along roadside rock cuts, especially where the rock overhangs a bit. On a short walk from my studio I came across this wall of icicles. The intricate formations and layers of ice were spectacular. Now all I need is a bit of subdued sun at the right time. These photos were taken with a Minolta AF 20mm lens adapted to a Sony a74. Shutter was 1/200 and aperture f8. A faster shutter speed worked better for this setting because it was able to catch the drops in mid descent.