Toronto Island SUP.
Paddle Canada–certified SUP and kayak rentals, lessons, and guided tours from Wards Island on the Toronto Islands

The brief.
Toronto Island SUP is a commercial paddling outfitter operating from Wards Island, about a five-minute walk from the Wards Island ferry dock on the Toronto Islands. Running since 2014, the outfit offers stand-up paddleboard and kayak rentals, group and private lessons, Paddle Canada–accredited Flatwater 1, Flatwater 2, and Instructor SUP certifications, a six-week summer day camp for ages 7–12, and guided experiences ranging from sunset paddles through Sunfish Cut to eco-tours through two Environmentally Significant Areas. The base sits on a Blue Flag–certified beach, and the operator is a Lake Ontario Waterkeeper ambassador. The season runs June 1 through September 30, with hourly rentals during operating hours and scheduled lessons, courses, and tours throughout.
13. ways in.
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SUP Rental
For: Beginners and recreational paddlers comfortable swimming and treading water without a PFDWhen: June 1 – September 30Hourly rentals across three board types: an All-Rounder for beginners, a Touring board built for distance, and the Blu Whale group board that holds up to six. Two-hour rentals are the most common booking. PFDs are required on water; a phone-sized dry bag is included with every rental.
Contact for details
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Private / Semi-Private SUP Lesson
For: 1 person (private) or 2 people (semi-private)When: June – September; Tue-Fri 10:45 AM, 3 PM, 6 PM (additional times on request)A 75-minute one-on-one or pair lesson covering board anatomy, paddling technique, weather and water safety, positioning, turning, and balance. "Doggy Paddle" specials run Saturdays July 26 and August 23 at 11 AM. A complimentary phone-sized dry bag is included.
$80 per person private; $64 per person semi-private
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Kids Camp
For: Ages 7–12; capped at 14 campers per sessionWhen: Six Monday–Friday weeks in summer 2026: July 6, July 13, July 20, July 27, August 10, August 17A five-day camp running 9:00 AM ferry departure to 3:45 PM return ferry. Lead instructor Julian Ganton is a Paddle Canada SUP Instructor Trainer with diplomas in Early Childhood Education and Kinesiology & Health Science and 20+ years working with children. Ferry tickets are included; campers bring their own lunch with occasional Friday catered meals.
$350 per child ($100 non-refundable deposit + $250); 10% off with code EARLYBIRDCAMP2026 by May 31, 2026
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Kayak Rental
Hourly rentals across five kayak types: Basic (Seaflo, Clearwater Designs Nunu), Recreational (Iqaluit, Inuvik), Sit-on-Top (Riot Escape), Touring (Manitoulin), and Tandem (Nunuvut). Pricing in person at the dock; contact for details.
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Intro to SUP Group Lesson
A 75-minute group lesson for 2–6 paddlers covering board anatomy, paddling technique, weather and water safety, turning, and balance. Family discounts of 10% (3+) and 15% (6+) apply. Contact for current pricing.
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Intro to Kayak Group Lesson
A 75-minute group lesson for 2–6 paddlers covering boat anatomy, boat theory, paddling technique, weather and water safety, turning, and balance. Family discounts of 10% (3+) and 15% (6+) apply. Contact for current pricing.
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Paddle Canada Flatwater 1 SUP Skills
A Paddle Canada–accredited entry-level certification with no prerequisites, scheduled June 20, July 18, August 8, and September 5 (2026). Curriculum covers lifting, carrying, and mounting the board, prone and kneeling paddling, and standing up. Early-bird code EARLYBIRDCOURSE2026 valid until May 31, 2026.
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Sunset Safari
A guided sunset paddle on illuminated SUP or kayak that winds through Sunfish Cut and tours the Royal Canadian Yacht Club. Dryland training assessment before departure; minimum 2 guests; no previous experience required. Contact for current pricing.
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Eco-Tour
A guided SUP or kayak tour running Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings, June through September. Visits the operator's native pollinator garden, two Environmentally Significant Areas, and two of Toronto's historical yacht clubs, with chances to see birds, turtles, minks, and beavers. Contact for current pricing.
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SUP Yoga
Saturday 10 AM classes from mid-June to mid-September. Paddle to a Toronto skyline lookout, practise yoga in a quiet natural inlet, and finish with on-water meditation. Contact for current pricing.
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Paddle Canada Flatwater 2 SUP Skills
Paddle Canada–accredited continuation course requiring Flatwater 1 SUP Skills or equivalent. Scheduled June 20, July 18, August 8, and September 5 (2026). Curriculum covers safe falling and remounting, leash use, weather and paddle conditions, safety equipment, and injury prevention.
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Paddle Canada Flatwater 1 SUP Instructor Course
A 16-hour weekend course running July 3–5 and August 21–23 (2026), qualifying graduates to teach Flatwater 1 SUP. Prerequisites: Flatwater 1 and 2 completion, age 16+, and valid First Aid/CPR-C.
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Paddlebirding
A guided paddle with professional birders across multiple Environmentally Significant Areas, on choice of SUP or kayak. 2026 dates TBA.
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Worth knowing.
- 01Operating since 2014, beginning with a tent on the beach and fewer than a dozen boardsSource ↗
- 02Owner Julian Ganton is a Paddle Canada SUP Instructor Trainer with diplomas in Early Childhood Education and Kinesiology & Health Science and 20+ years working with childrenSource ↗
- 03Paddle Canada–accredited Flatwater 1, Flatwater 2, and Instructor SUP certifications offeredSource ↗
- 04Blue Flag beach certification (Foundation for Environmental Education)Source ↗
- 05"Dedicated to Sustainable Tourism" certificationSource ↗
- 06Lake Ontario Waterkeeper ambassadorSource ↗
- 07Operates from Wards Island, ~5 minutes walk from the Wards Island ferry dock via Cibola AvenueSource ↗
- 08Three Isle Love membership tiers: Leisure (5-rental pass, never expires), Explorer (unlimited solo rentals, expires end of season), BYOB Storage (rack/storage access with 50% off guided experiences)Source ↗
- 09Group event packages include Beach Olympics for groups of 15+, an Adventure Race using maps and clues across Toronto Islands, and private group lessonsSource ↗
Get in
touch.
- Website
- www.torontoislandsup.com
- Email (Owner (Julian Ganton))
- julian@torontoislandsup.com
- Email (Large group / event bookings (Emma))
- emma@torontoislandsup.com
- Phone
- (416) 899-1668
- Address
- Mailing — 18 Elmer Avenue, Toronto, ON M4L 3R7. Operating — Wards Island, ~5 minutes from the Wards Island ferry dock via Cibola Avenue (Plus Code JJGR+QW Toronto)