Making a Splash: Spectacular Splash Photography From Across Canada

We challenged you to capture subjects making waves in Canada's lakes, rivers and pools, and you delivered! Check out this joyous collection of original splash photography.

1 / 23
Making a splash water photography - sunset
Photo: Janique Belcourt

Sunset splash photography

Janique Belcourt of Ottawa shares this awesome splash photography, saying, “My sister, Mireille, captured this photo of me several summers ago at Thunder Beach on Georgian Bay in Tiny, Ontario.”

Psst—Tiny is just one of 50 communities that made the cut in our roundup of the funniest place names in Canada!

2 / 23
Making a Splash water photography - water ski in silhouette
Photo: Cindy Bartoli

Magic in motion

“My husband, Dan, loves to take advantage of the calmer waters at the end of the day at our cottage on Gold Lake in the Kawartha Highlands,” shares Cindy Bartoli of Peterborough, Ontario. “I love to take advantage of the amazing lighting!”

Never heard of Gold Lake? Discover more hidden gems in Ontario that are worth exploring.

3 / 23
Making a splash water photography - boy splashing in lake
Photo: Kim Drew

Over easy

“As we were floating down the Slocan River, my son, Devon, found a submerged log off of which to flip,” explains Kim Drew of Winlaw, B.C. “He tied the rope from my raft onto it and started jumping off the log. I was twisting in the current and just held up my camera and snapped this shot. I didn’t even know how sweet it was until I got home!”

Here’s more candid photography that was timed just perfectly!

4 / 23
Making a splash water photography - couple splashing in dinghy
Photo: Deb Sandau

Water fight!

“I took this photo of me and my husband, Dave, on a timer as we goofed around on a weekend at our family farm outside of Blackfalds, Alberta, in July 2018,” writes Deb Sandau. “It’s a rubber dinghy that Dave filled with water and let warm up in the sun before we jumped in to cool off and have some fun.”

You’ll find more of Deb’s brilliant captures in this gallery of Canadian boat photography.

5 / 23
Making a splash water photography - kids in backyard pool
Photo: Amanda Cole

Jumping for joy!

“These are my kids, Molly and James, cooling off from the heat while enjoying their favourite summer activity: swimming!” writes Amanda Cole of Harbour Grace, Newfoundland.

No pool? No problem! Check out these pro tips on how to keep cool all summer long.

6 / 23
Making a splash water photography - dog in water
Photo: Dan Ventrudo

Go fetch

“I took this picture at a friend’s cottage at Sunnyside Beach on Lake Superior,” writes Dan Ventrudo of Thunder Bay, Ontario. “As the sun was starting to set, my friend’s son was throwing a flying disc for their dog, Kasha, to retrieve. I think I was having just as much fun trying not to get swept over with my camera! Later, as we all warmed up around the fire, Kasha came and dropped the disc at my feet—ready to go again!”

Don’t miss this adorable gallery of Canada’s cutest pets.

7 / 23
Three friends making a splash at the beach
Photo: Sean Donnelly

Summer’s end

This beautiful shot by Sean Donnelly of Ontario certainly has us wishing summer could last a few months longer each year.

For more of Sean’s striking snaps, check out this gallery of gorgeous rainbow photography.

8 / 23
Woman and dog posing near waterfall
Photo: Charlotte Henin

Canine companion

Our splash photography challenge inspired Charlotte Henin of Alberta to send us this wonderful photo of her and Indie the rescue dog on a camping trip. We’re not dog experts, but it looks like he had a blast!

Discover Canada’s 10 most beautiful waterfalls.

9 / 23
Dog and woman in lake
Photo: Shannon Kingsley

Dog meets water

Either this fur baby is afraid of water, or it just had the time of its life making a splash. We’re hoping it was the latter. Thanks for sharing, Shannon!

Here are more funny photos that will make you laugh out loud.

10 / 23
New married couple in lake
Photo: Amy Muschik

Newly wed (and very wet!)

Amy Muschik of Ontario writes, “My newlywed friends enjoying a playful splash in the pond at the end of a super-hot day. They held their red-and-white-themed wedding at the trailer park where they spend summer weekends. I just loved the fun they are having.” Thanks for sharing, Amy!

Will you be toasting a bride and groom this summer? Here are 200 jokes about marriage that are perfect for a wedding!

11 / 23
Two bears in the water at Toronto Zoo
Photo: Karen Allin

Fun in the sun

Karen Allin of Ontario totally nailed our splash photography challenge with this shot of grizzly bears having fun in the water on a hot day at the Toronto Zoo. Bears like to have some play time, too!

Looking to make a quick escape from the Big Smoke? Check out 10 great day trips from Toronto.

12 / 23
Humpback whale in Cape Breton
Photo: Paul O'Toole

Up, up and away

No creature makes a showier (or more powerful) splash than a humpback whale. Paul O’Toole captured this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment near Cape Spear, Newfoundland.

Discover the best wildlife experience in every province.

13 / 23
Loon making a splash in Kingston, Ontario
Photo: Nicole Watson

Morning flight

Nicole Watson of Ontario sent in this perfectly-timed shot of a loon, which she took while out on her canoe in the early morning.

Check out more incredible Canadian bird photography.

14 / 23
Manitoulin Island
Photo: Julie Hayes-Ruffo

Due for a dip

Julie Hayes-Ruffo of Ontario writes: “On our last full day before leaving Manitoulin Island, we decided to bust out the canoes! Let me tell you, by the time we found this amazing secluded beach, we were so sweaty that we all just jumped in the water wearing our clothes!” Looks so refreshing, Julie—and well-earned!

Don’t miss this gorgeous gallery of great Canadian cottage photography.

15 / 23
Child playing in Brereton Lake, Whiteshell Provincial Park in Manitoba
Photo: Heather Korlak

Twist and shout

Heather Korlak of British Columbia writes, “My daughter Madeleine making a splash in our beloved Brereton Lake, Whiteshell Provincial Park in Manitoba. We come home every summer from B.C. and it feels so good to get in that lake!”

Here’s what it’s like hiking the Mantario Trail in Whiteshell Provincial Park.

16 / 23
Water bomber pilot at Lac La Biche
Photo: Frank Koenig

Water bomber

Frank Koenig was lucky enough to capture this special moment: a water bomber pilot finishing his demonstration and thanking audience members at Lac La Biche, about a two-and-a-half hour drive from Edmonton.

Discover 10 unforgettable day trips from Edmonton.

17 / 23
Sparrow bathing in backyard waterfall
Photo: Jen St. Louis

Bird bath

Jen St. Louis of Ontario was lucky enough to capture this cute little song sparrow as it bathed in her backyard water feature.

Don’t miss this gallery showcasing the beautiful birds of Canada.

18 / 23

Man jet skiing on Lake Cecebe
Photo: Cathy Gauthier

Making waves

Cathy Gauthier captured this high-speed moment at Lake Cecebe in Magnetawan, Ontario. “This gentleman—not exactly a ‘spring chicken’— shows us how it’s done,” Gauthier writes. Thanks for sharing, Cathy!

Looking for summer thrills of your own? Check out our countdown of Canada’s best amusement parks.

19 / 23
Ducks playing in lake
Photo: Cheryl Power

Just getting their feet wet…

Cheryl Power of Newfoundland and Labrador snapped a shot of these beyond-cute ducklings. They’re not quite making a splash yet, but give them time…

Don’t miss these great Canadian bird stories from the pages of Our Canada magazine.

20 / 23
Photo by Noorbanu Mohamedali of man jumping off cliff into lake
Photo: Noorbanu Mohamedali

Free falling 

Noorbanu Mohamedali of Ontario caught this absolutely thrilling picture of a free fall. The carefree atmosphere of cottage living, summed up in a single, spectacular shot!

Planning your next getaway? Check out 10 places in Canada every Canadian should visit.

21 / 23
Father and son jet skiing
Photo: Manfred Rupp

Wave running

This dynamic shot by Manfred Rupp captures a wet ride on a jet ski on Lake Ontario near Kingston.

When you’re nowhere near a lake, use these tips to stay cool in extreme heat.

22 / 23
Making a splash water photography - girl in pool
Photo: Isabelle Derny

Playing it cool

“I snapped this pic of my daughter, Marie, enjoying our pool,” shares Isabelle Derny of Gatineau, Quebec.

Planning a visit to the Gatineau area? This roundup of the best day trips from Ottawa will come in handy.

23 / 23

Dog on the shores of Lake Ontario in Mississauga
Photo: Karen Allin

Let’s play catch

That doesn’t look like a retriever, but he certainly seems to be good at retrieving! Thanks again to Karen Allin for sharing this sweet shot.

If you enjoyed this collection of splash photography, you’ll love this summery showcase of Canada’s most beautiful lighthouses.

Originally Published on ourcanada.ca

Newsletter Unit