From June through September 2023, I’ll be stand-up paddleboarding from my home in Ottawa to Montreal, New York City and Toronto and then back home — via the Ottawa River, St. Lawrence River, Richelieu River, Lake Champlain, Champlain Canal, Hudson River, Erie Canada, Niagara River, Lake Ontario and Rideau River. My book rooted in this experience (and magazine and newspaper articles I write along the way) will be about the importance of immersing ourselves in “blue space” and deepening our relationship with water, for a wide range of reasons. The SUP trip is a journalistic expedition. During my travels I am meeting with and interviewing people (both pre-arranged and serendipitous encounters), asking questions about the waters where they are and what these places mean to their lives. I am also doing supplemental interviews beforehand and afterwards, seeking out people whose experiences with water reflect the themes I’ll be exploring (sustainability, health, equity, social justice, community). That’s the brief summary. Follow along on Instagram: danrubinsteinsup

This trip and project would not be possible without the incredible support I’ve received from companies, organizations and individuals. Among the many who have stepped up so far are:

• Jo Salamon at Mountain Equipment Company, who have provided some great camping gear, including an ultra-light tent, a sleeping pad and quilt, dry bags and more

• Mike Harvey at Badfish SUP, from Salida, Colorado, who sent me the perfect board: their Selfie 14-foot inflatable

• Peter Allen at Blackfish Paddles out of B.C., who gave me a pair of strong, light three-piece paddles

• Laura Fergusson at Mustang Survival, who sent their invaluable Greenwater 35L submersible deck bag

• Darren Thompson at Hammer Nutrition Canada, who are providing the fuel my body needs for 50-km days

• Adrienne Langley, the co-founder of Australia’s Vaikobi Ocean Performance, who gave me a great deal on paddling clothes and a new PFD

I also need to thank the many paddlers and other people who have given me essential advice and guidance in these crucial early days of a big project, including the mighty Max Finkelstein, Bruce Kirkby, Norm Hann, Karl Kruger, Kevin Patterson and many more whose names and stories I will share in the weeks and months ahead.

And check out some images from my first leg, from Ottawa to Montreal in early June, and some of the people I met along the way: