Making a Splash: Spectacular Splash Photography From Across Canada
Updated: Jun. 11, 2020We 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.
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!”
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 of Red Deer, Alberta. “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.”
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.
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, Adam, 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.
Summer’s end
This beautiful shot by Sean Donnelly of Ontario certainly has us wishing summer could last a few months longer each year. Thanks for sharing, Sean!
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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!
Don’t miss our countdown of Canada’s most beautiful waterfalls.
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.
Newlyweds
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 100+ jokes about marriage that are perfect for a wedding!
Fun in the sun
Karen Allin of Ontario totally nailed 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!
Here are 50 more reasons to fall in love with Toronto all over again.
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.
Catch more of Karen’s photography in our gallery of beautiful doors across Canada.
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.
Follow this family’s unforgettable journey through Newfoundland.
A shore thing
Baby Spencer sure looks like he’s enjoying his first summer at the beach. We’re feeling the Canadian flag bandana!
Don’t miss this collection of Canada Day photography.
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.
Last splash
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 jumping in the water wearing our clothes!” Thanks for sharing, Julie!
Read the incredible story of a man who travelled 1,250 kilometres from Lake Superior to Manitoba—by canoe!
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!”
Explore 50 more gorgeous parks across Canada.
Water bomber
Frank Koenig of Alberta was lucky enough to capture this special moment—a water bomber pilot finishing his demonstration and thanking audience members at Lac La Biche.
Fire-up your wanderlust with this Alberta bucket list trip.
Bird song
Jen St. Louis of Ontario was lucky enough to capture this cute little song sparrow as it bathed in her backyard waterfall.
Don’t miss this gallery of gorgeous garden photography from across Canada.
Drops of joy
Sharon Peters snapped this lovely black-and-white photo of her granddaughter enjoying the local splash park in Three Hills, Alberta.
Don’t miss these pro tips for shooting in black and white.
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!
Check out more of Cathy’s spectacular shots in this gallery of great Canadian cottage photography.
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…
Check out these great Canadian bird stories from the pages of Our Canada magazine.
Play time
Gertrude Welder of British Columbia snapped this spontaneous shot of what looks to be a fun game of Frisbee at Cold Lake, Alberta.
Here are more cute photos of Canadian kids enjoying the great outdoors.
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!
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High-speed
This dynamic shot by Manfred Rupp captures a wet ride on a jet ski on Lake Ontario near Kingston.
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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.
Pool time
Ah, play time in the backyard inflatable pool… A rite of passage for all Canadian kids! This photo by Cindy Herbert of Welland, Ontario has us feeling nostalgic.
If you enjoyed this collection of splash photography, you’ll love these stunning nature shots from across Canada.