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Water Borne: A 1,200-Mile Paddleboarding Pilgrimage
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.
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.
- GenresNonfiction
336 pages, Paperback
Published June 10, 2025
14 people are currently reading
255 people want to read
About the author
Dan Rubinstein
10 books16 followersDan 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 23, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/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 💙
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 💙
July 14, 2025
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.
August 4, 2025
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!
March 18, 2025
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!
July 3, 2025
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
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
October 10, 2025
Fantastic journey filled with wonderful commentary.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews