I came home from Alaska feeling incredibly grateful.
I had the opportunity to see some of the most breathtaking scenery I have ever experienced. Mountains that seemed to go on forever, beautiful waters, whales, wildlife and so many moments when I simply stopped and thought, How fortunate am I to be here seeing this?
But somewhere along the way, Alaska also had me thinking about home, my work, and even the journey that led me to write A Gift in the Wreckage.
Years ago, my near-death experience changed the way I looked at life. It taught me that there is so much more to our existence than the things that consume our everyday attention. Writing my book gave me the opportunity to look back at some of the hardest parts of my life and recognize the gifts, lessons and grace that were woven through them.
Standing in Alaska, surrounded by something so vast and beautiful, brought some of those feelings back to me.
There is something about nature that quiets the noise. It reminds us how small some of the things we worry about really are. It brings us into the present and asks nothing of us except to notice.
And I realized that this is so much of why I do the work I do at Riverview.
Of course, the Nonquon River isn't Alaska. 😊 But I see that same shift happen when someone gets into a kayak and slowly makes their way down the river, watching a heron lift from the shoreline or spotting a turtle or beaver. I see it when someone lies down for Reiki or a wellness treatment and, perhaps for the first time in a long while, allows themselves to stop, become still and receive.
Maybe wellness isn't always something we have to chase.
Sometimes it is found in stillness.
In nature.
In gratitude.
In wonder.
In feeling connected to something much bigger than ourselves.
Alaska reminded me how fortunate I am to have experienced so much beauty in this lifetime. But it also reminded me that we don't always have to travel thousands of kilometres to reconnect with what matters.
Riverview Kayaking
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Riverview Kayaking and Wellness Center offers both wellness services and kayaking rentals and tours. We also offer retreats, team building activities.
08/24/2026
08/23/2026
Here are this week's specials at Riverview Wellness Center. Please note, our specials change weekly and are ONLY AVAILABLE for the week they are being advertised. We look forward to welcoming you to the river.
🛶 LOOKING FOR A CANOE? TRY A KAYAK INSTEAD! 🌊
We get lots of calls asking if we rent canoes — and while we specialize in kayaks, there are a few reasons you might be surprised by how much you prefer them! 👀
✨ Easy to learn
Kayaking is incredibly beginner-friendly. Most people get the hang of paddling and steering within just a few minutes.
💦 Easy to maneuver
Kayaks are generally smaller and more responsive, making it easy to turn, explore and navigate your way along the river.
🛶 Double-bladed paddles
Unlike a canoe paddle, a kayak paddle has a blade on both ends, allowing you to alternate sides smoothly as you go.
🌿 Closer to the water
Sitting lower gives you a totally different perspective — peaceful, immersive and perfect for taking in the river and wildlife around you.
💪 A little movement without feeling like a workout
Paddling gets your upper body and core moving while still being an incredibly relaxing way to spend an afternoon.
⚖️ Stability
Think kayaks are tippier than canoes? You might be surprised! •• Recreational kayaks are designed with a low centre of gravity and excellent primary stability, making them feel secure and steady on calm water. And Canadian recreational-boating data reported kayaks are 25% less reported in capsizing incidents compared to canoes.
👯 Want to paddle together? Go tandem!
If what you love about canoeing is sharing the boat with someone else, our tandem kayaks seat two — so you can still paddle, explore and probably argue about who’s doing all the work together. 😂
Never kayaked before? Don’t let that stop you! We’ll get you set up and ready to hit the water.
Sometimes you call looking for a canoe…and discover you’re actually a kayak person. 😉🌊
📍 Riverview Wellness
💌 Message us to reserve your paddle!
08/20/2026
THURSDAY PROMOTIONS 🦦
Float for Less!
08/20/2026
💕🛶 TANDEM THURSDAY! 🛶💕
Because everything’s more fun with your favourite person! Grab your bestie, your partner, your mom — or whoever you trust not to splash you too much 😂 — and hit the river together!
🌿 Tandem Kayak Rental — just $50/hour every Thursday!
Two people. One kayak. Fresh air, beautiful views, and a whole lot better than another night scrolling on the couch. ☀️🌊
Tag your paddle partner below 👇 and make a little Thursday adventure out of it!
📍 Riverview Wellness
💌 Message us to reserve your tandem!
08/20/2026
☀️ TODAY & TOMORROW ONLY — $30 KAYAK RENTALS! 🛶🌿
(Per hour)
The sun is out, the river is calling… and honestly, your couch will still be there later. 😉
Come spend a little time on the water today and enjoy a peaceful paddle surrounded by nature. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing solo escape, a cute date idea, or something fun to do with a friend — we’ve got you covered!
💦 Kayak rentals just $30 today and tomorrow August 20th-21st
Regularly $35 — SAVE $5!
Grab a paddle, unplug for a bit, and go with the flow. 🌊✨
📍 Riverview Wellness
💌 Message us to reserve your kayak — limited availability today!
08/19/2026
Great day in Juneau
What if your next spa day started with a paddle? 🌊🛶
There’s a reason being out on the water just feels different.
Research has found that spending just 20–30 minutes in nature can measurably reduce levels of cortisol — one of the body’s primary stress hormones.
So we thought… why stop there?
Start your experience surrounded by fresh air, sunshine and the peaceful waters of the Nonquon River with a relaxing kayak session.
Then trade your paddle for the soothing warmth of our infrared sauna. 🔥
Infrared heat warms the body at a lower air temperature than a traditional sauna, creating that deep, relaxing sauna experience while encouraging circulation and a good sweat.
Movement + nature + warmth + rest.
Not your typical spa day.
It’s a chance to get outside.
To move.
To unplug.
To warm up.
And to give yourself permission to do absolutely nothing afterward. 🤍
🛶 Kayaking + Infrared Sauna
🌿 At Riverview Wellness
Because sometimes the best kind of self-care isn’t choosing between adventure and relaxation.
It’s having both.
Your skincare routine doesn’t have to stop at serums. ✨
Have you explored the modalities that can take your skincare routine beyond the bottle?
Welcome to the next level of your skin journey. 🤍
At Riverview Wellness, we can help you discover professional skin technologies and treatments designed to complement a great at-home routine.
✨ HIFU — uses focused ultrasound energy at targeted depths beneath the skin and is commonly used for non-invasive skin tightening and lifting treatments.
🔴 LED Light Therapy — uses different wavelengths of light for different skin goals, from supporting skin's cellular regeneration to acne-focused treatments.
⚡ High Frequency — commonly used in rejuvenating facials to stimulate the skin and support circulation, giving the complexion a fresher, more revitalized appearance. High frequency can be a great addition to anti-aging treatments focused on dullness, overall skin tone and the appearance of fine lines, while giving skin that healthy post-facial glow. Additionally, uses a gentle electrical current and is commonly incorporated into facials to support acne-prone or congested skin and enhance the overall treatment.
〰️ Radio Frequency (RF) — uses controlled energy to gently heat deeper layers of the skin, supporting collagen production and helping improve the appearance of firmness, fine lines and skin texture.
💧 Hydro-Facial Technology — combines cleansing, exfoliation and hydration to refresh dull, congested or dehydrated skin.
✨ And more…
The best part?
You don’t need to know which one you need before you walk through our doors.
That’s our job.
We’ll talk about your skin, your concerns and your goals and help you understand which treatments may actually make sense for you.
Because skincare isn’t about doing everything.
It’s about doing the right things for your skin. 🤍
📍 Riverview Wellness
💌 Message us to start your personalized skin journey.
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Location
Telephone
Website
Address
Port Perry, ON
L0C1G0
Opening Hours
| Saturday | 9am - 6pm |
| Sunday | 8am - 5pm |