Practice site - general information
This page contains everything you need to know about the practice sites where we hold our summer on-water practices.
See the team-specific web pages for details on the practice schedule for each of our crews.
Please note that paddles and Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) are provided for the paddlers.
Feel free to bring your own gear if you have any.
Arriving at the site
Please arrive at the practice site prior to the scheduled practice time. This is where we will hold pre-practice warm-ups and instructions. As time on the water is very valuable, the dragon boat will be loaded and leave the docks promptly at the scheduled practice time. If you are late and the boat has left, the coach will swing by the dock at around the half-way point of the practice. All members are encouraged to warm-up prior to paddling by doing stretches. Before boarding, the coach will also want to review the focus for the practice, provide instructions, as well as arrange seating. If you will miss a practice, please inform the coach in advance. Note that a practice is much more effective with a full boat... your fellow crew members need you!
All teams will hold their practices at Sunnyside located just steps east from Sunnyside Pavilion at 1755 Lakeshore Boulevard West. The practice site provides extensive shoreline paddling, as well as occasional access to the dragon boat racing course at Marilyn Bell Park.
From downtown Toronto:
Use the Gardiner Expressway or Lake Shore Blvd. westbound, past Colbourne Lodge use the left turn/u-turn lane to enter the parking lot south of Lake Shore Blvd.
By car from the west, take the QEW eastbound and exit at the "Lake Shore Blvd." exit. Follow the ramp, and when you see the Pizza Pizza stand, take the next entrance to the parking lot. From the north, take Keele St. south (turns into Parkside Dr. at Bloor) until the Lakeshore Blvd. Turn right, go through one set of lights and use the left turn/u-turn lane to enter the parking lot south of Lake Shore Blvd.
Public Transit
From downtown Toronto, King St. take the 508 Lake Shore westbound, or from Queen St. the 501 Queen westbound, and exit at the Parkside Ave. stop. By TTC from the north, take the subway to Keele Station, get on the 80 Queensway W bus, exit at the Lake Shore Blvd. stop. Walk down the stairs and proceed south to the lake.
Parking
Ample parking is available, with 2 large lots west of Sunnyside, and 1 large lot to the east. All parking lots are accessible via Lakeshore Blvd. EASTBOUND traffic only. There is a u-turn lane just west of Parkside Ave. that allows westbound motorists a safe and legal access option.
Directions
