Water Borne: A 1,200-Mile Paddleboarding Pilgrimage

by Dan Rubinstein

An unconventional SUP journey to discover how embracing blue space could improve our lives and our world.

In June 2023, writer Dan Rubinstein lashed camping gear to his stand-up paddleboard and embarked on an improbable solo voyage from Ottawa to Montreal, New York City, Toronto, and back to Ottawa along the rivers, lakes, and canals of a landlocked region. Over 1,200 miles and 10 weeks, he explored the healing potential of “blue space” — the aquatic equivalent of green space — and sought out others drawn to their local waters.

But the farther Rubinstein paddled, the more he realized that being in, on, or around water does more than boost our mental and physical health and prompt stewardship toward the natural world. He discovered that blue spaces are also a way to connect with the kaleidoscopic cross-section of people he met and the diverse geographies and communities he passed through.

Weaving together research, interviews, and an unmacho, malodorous, anticolonial adventure tale, Water Borne shows us that we don’t need an epic journey to find solutions to so many modern challenges. Repair and renewal may be close at hand: just add water.

Genres: Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

Published June 10, 2025

About the author

Dan Rubinstein is a National Magazine Award–winning writer and editor. He contributes to publications such as The Walrus, the Globe and Mail, The Economist and enRoute, and has edited magazines in Ontario and Alberta. These days, he does most of his walking in Ottawa.
Kevin Patterson is a medical doctor who works mostly in British Columbia and Nunavut. He is the author of the novel Consumption, the short story collection Country of Cold (which won the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize), and the memoir The Water in Between: A Journey at Sea.

Reviews

[Alli Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 - An interesting blend of personal journey and science! 🏄🏻‍♂️💧

This non-fiction book follows Dan Rubinstein’s 1,200 km paddleboard pilgrimage through rivers, lakes and canals from Ottawa to New York City and back via Toronto, which becomes the backdrop for a thoughtful exploration of the connection between water and mental health. Along the way, he weaves in extensive research and interviews, recounting stories from the many interesting people he met, all of whom share how water has shaped and healed them.

Reading Water Borne was a pleasant reminder of something I’ve always known: my mood always improves around water in any form. I’ve never been on a SUP before, but after this book, I want to try it more than ever! What I have done is spend countless hours exploring lakes, rivers, and shorelines across Ontario, each one bringing me the same grounding, peaceful energy this book celebrates.

If you’ve ever felt that peace that comes from watching the waves or dipping your toes in a lake, you’ll find so much resonance here. A thoughtful, inspiring read that makes you want to seek out the water’s edge and breathe a little deeper!

Thank you @ecwpress for my gifted copy 💙

[Shannon Giammaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, for me, timing is everything when finding a book that speaks to me. The book cover was the first thing that jumped out at me and then learning that Dan had navigated the exact same water way that I live and breathe by - it was love at first sight. I dived in and I hadn’t even finished the book when my husband and I decided to do something similar. So we pulled out our map & planned it out and decided to make a trek from our cottage to our house on the Rideau River by paddle board, the most inefficient way to travel, yet it was beyond magical & gruelling - it truly healed me physically & spiritually. I even shared my experience with Dan and he responded with genuine enthusiasm. What a gem! This book is chalked full of anecdotes, adventures, stories, history, research which highlights the healing power of surrounding ourselves by water - “blue space”. A must read for anyone who appreciates our “blue spaces” and, like me, it might motivate you to get out and experience your own transformative water sport adventure.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brought a massive pile of beach reads up to a cottage and at the last minute stuck one non-fiction on the pile. After paddleboarding for the first time, I was then inspired to dip into A 1,200 Mile Paddleboarding Pilgrimage! And I loved it! I kept reading snippets out loud to my companions on the dock (even when they were trying to nap). So interesting, you must read it!! I already have his earlier book "Born to Walk" on hold for me at the library. Stay tuned for that review :) And my beach read pile was left unread.

[Lauren J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan Rubinstein set off to SUP from Ottowa to NYC and back through the Erie Canal. His story of the nature he witnessed, the people he met, the history and geography of the towns he went through was all extremely interesting. You truly feel like you are on the journey with him. You are hot and hungry, and then feel better with a beer and a burger. The difficult days with wind and waves are felt through his amazing writing. This journey was well worth the read. I can't wait to get out on my next paddle on the erie Canal. I am also sold on all of the Canadian towns he went through along the way. Awesome story. I can't wait for his next one!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this account of a journalist traveling the Hudson River (and presumably some other waterways) from Ottowa to New York City. Lots of interesting details about the environment, water rights, boating, and mental health (to name a few topics covered) but mainly a good journey story, which I always love. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy!

[Mike Broderick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for an advance copy of Water Borne.

I like this idea. I like Dan Rubinstein. But, this was only ok.

It seemed as though he was trying to get many big ideas into us, all at once.
Yes, water is healing for the mind. Yes, there is stewardship here. Yes, the interactions with the people is even more important.

Not bad, not great

[Jack Kostiuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic journey filled with wonderful commentary.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a peaceful and soul-filling read.

[Austin Dobrik · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a cool book and idea for a journey, but the author ends up touching on a lot of different ideas that don't have much connection, other than the water that flows through them. That's a bit interesting in it's-self, but there was not much that ultimately stayed with me.

You almost wish that these kind of travelogues help get you a deeper understanding of why the author would take such a difficult journey, and what they learned as they pushed through day after day, but the trip ultimately seemed pretty disjointed and distracted. Iwould be super interesting to try this journey myself, but wasn't as much fun to read about as I hoped.