GatFest is a challenging C3+ Festival for WhitewATer Fanatics. There is always lotza huge water in the Gatineau and there will be hundreds of paddlers having tons of fun.
Enjoy big waves, surfing and ferrying where there is always lotza water. McCoy's Rapid at level -2.5 is awesome. Swimming the Ottawa River Center Channel Chutes is also big water fun, even for 6 year olds. Recovery pools and chutes are fun to swim in during hot summer weather.
The Ottawa River Center Channel is a great day of whitewater paddling with plenty of big wave action and tons of water. The level Owl Guage is at about -1.75
Looking for whitewater ??? There is lotza water in the Ottawa River. We are currently 2 boats paddling the center channel on Sunday. To join us, sign up below.
Please join us for our traditional camping weekend at Palmer Rapids. We stay at Jessup's campsite right on the river at the rapids. This is a fun, relaxed Canada Day weekend suitable for novice or better moving water paddlers. Probably more people had had their first taste of moving water here than in any other spot in Ontario. There are a couple of sets of Class 1-2 rapids almost outside your tent door. I'm happy to give some informal paddling pointers to new river runners.There's a sandy beach where the kids can play or swim. For family members who aren't into paddling, there are restaurants and interesting shops nearby in Wilno and Barry's Bay. Running down the Lower Madawaska for the day is also a possibility.
We're there Friday to Monday, but you can come & go at any time.
You will need a Royalex canoe with flotation, and a helmet, along with the usual PFD and paddle. Canoes can be rented nearby at Paddler Co-op (see their website), or from Don Adams in Griffith, who will deliver to Jessups for a fee (613-333-2240). If renting, tell them you want thigh straps in the canoe. It will make a huge amount of difference to your control.
Trip down the Harricana River to James Bay over an eight day period.
Experienced paddling skiills
We will paddle an easy and scenic section of the Credit River from Terra Cotta to Norval, approx 15 km, stopping to play in the mainly Class 1 features along the way. For those who participated in the Beginner Whitewater Training Day (June 3), this would be an opportunity to practise your new skills. Please note: kevlar boats not recommended.
Here’s your chance to try out a little whitewater before committing to a certification course. ORCKA instructor Garry Almond will teach the basic moves on an uncomplicated section of the Credit River. No fear, just fun and learning. Please familiarize yourself with the club’s canoeing safety guidelines in advance. Let me know if you need a partner, or help with boat rental. This is a non-certification instructional day.
Cost: $20 instruction fee for Garry. Karonne strictly volunteer.
This event will NOT BE FREE THIS YEAR. There will be a registration fee per canoe. The amount has not been confirmed yet. You still have to register in advance and it will fill up quickly, so register early. The target date to open the online registration is March 5. You will still be able to help raise money to support regeneration projects within the Don watershed by completing a pledge form from the website. Go to http://www.paddlethedon.ca/ for more information and to sign up for 2013 event notifications when available.
Paddle the Don River – Sunday May 5, 2013 Join us for the 20th annual Manulife Paddle the Don River day. This half a day paddle starts at Ernest Thompson Seton Park (enter via Wilket Creek Park on the west side of Leslie Street, north of Eglinton Ave East) and winds its way south for about 10.5 km to the Keating Channel at Lake Ontario. Members of the WCA will be helping out as volunteer weir watchers along the way. The river is flooded for this event so there will be moving water, swifts and rapids. There are three weirs; the first two must be portaged and the third may be run. Bring your white water canoe, paddling gear for cold water, and a camera. The river offers a unique view of the city landscape, city wilderness and maybe wildlife. The takeout is located at 170 Villiers Street at the northwest corner of Villiers Street and the Don Roadway. Here you will find free entertainment and food and drink for purchase (or you can bring your own lunch). A free shuttle bus will take you back to the start where you can pick up your car and drive back to the takeout to pick-up your canoe.
Join us for a fabulous one month trip down the Otoskwin-Attawapiskat River. Some white water, mostly flat. Three paddlers now committed, looking for up to 3 more paddlers.