The Nation’s Capital, the Ottawa River
Closest town to put-in: Beachburg, Ontario
Access: Head to the very tiny town of Foresters Falls and follow the signs to the Owl and Wilderness Tours rafting companies where you can hit the river.
Best post-run pints: Whitewater Brewing Company, but the iconic Bent Anchor right on the river in Combermere is set to reopen in June, 2024.
The Ottawa River is no secret. It is, some will argue, the greatest whitewater river on the planet. Playboat enthusiasts from around the world flock to the warm waters of the Ottawa in hopes of tackling legendary features such as the Garburator in its full splendour and the mythic Greyhound Buseater. The river is divided into a main and middle channel. The main channel is where the rafting companies ply their trade, while the middle channel is narrower and offers more twists and turns suitable for kayakers. The eight kilometre section south of Pembroke is where you’ll find all the fun with at least a dozen features from holes and runs to ripping waves. The river is such a magnet both for its challenging features and its warmth. Head out on any given summer afternoon and you’re likely to bump into world freestyle kayak champion Nick Troutman, who grew up on the Ottawa, and his world freestyle kayak champion wife Emily Jackson doing their thing.
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A righteous whitewater ride on the Rouge River
Closest town to put-in: Calumet, Quebec
Access: From Calumet head east on QC-148 toward Chemin Kilmar then turn left and left again at Chemin de la Riviere-Rouge and you’ll find it.
Best post-run grub: Bar Le Stash, 418 Rue Principale, Grenville
Quebec’s Rouge River doesn’t have the same ability to inspire awe and fear in kayakers when compared to the likes of the Ottawa at full mast, but it is a class II/III river and it has its moments including the foamy fun ride Seven Sisters Falls and the challenging class IV rapid Blossom Bar. Best part: it is drop-dead gorgeous. The river runs from its source north of Mont Tremblant in the Laurentians and bombs straight downhill until it empties into the Ottawa, which could make for a killer summer whitewater adventure. The federal government actually did right by the river some 30 years ago by giving it an official “wild and scenic” designation, protecting the natural surroundings to some degree.
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Giddy up on the Kicking Horse River
Closest town to put-in: East of Golden, British Columbi.
Access: Conveniently located off TransCanada Highway #1, accessing the Kicking Horse River is easy from Vancouver or Kelowna. Simply drive east from the Lower Mainland (approximately 8 hours) or from Kelowna (about 4 ½ hours). Along the way, you’ll find plenty of accommodation options and other outdoor activities to complement your kayaking adventure.
Best post-run grub: Golden Taps, 505 9 Ave N in downtown Golden.
For an adrenaline-packed kayaking adventure, there’s no better destination than the Kicking Horse River near Golden, BC. With some of the most exhilarating whitewater in the Rockies, it’s a haven for kayakers seeking big thrills. The river offers a range of whitewater experiences, from moderate to extreme, catering to kayakers of all skill levels with a ton of water stemming from the glacial waters of Wapta Lake and the ice fields of the Canadian Rockies. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or new to the sport, you’ll find excitement on the Kicking Horse’s Class II to IV (and sometimes IV+) rapids. The river’s Whitewater Exciter and Tradition sections are particularly renowned for their challenging rapids, providing kayakers with an intense and technical ride. For the ultimate adrenaline rush, consider tackling the Maximum Horsepower route, which features a double run down a continuous and tricky whitewater section.
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Skooks, there it is! Surfing the Skookumchuck
Closest town to put-in: Egmont, British Columbia
Access: Put in is right in town, and just follow the flatwater about 45 minutes down the Sechelt Inlet to the south.
Best post-run grub: West Coast Wilderness Lodge is close by with some of the finest local food in a casual environment with a massive patio out back overlooking the bay. Added bonus: Too many post-Skooks pints and you can always rent a room for the night.
Skooks is a colossal wave feature that springs up twice a day when the tidal waters come rushing up the Sechelt Inlet. At Roland’s Point the water hits a ledge and creates an epic surfing wave that is awe-inspiring and has caused more than one paddler to turn tail and run. It isn’t a super-technical wave, but there is nothing really much bigger given that Skooks can get up to three metres in height just 15 metres from shore. The scenery is wonderful, but as more water flows through the inlet, and a couple more waves pop up so do some nasty foamy monsters that will suck up paddlers and put them in an exhausting spin cycle if they don’t dig in and get to shore in time. So, scout out the area, and talk to some locals before jumping in. Still, it is a must-do on most whitewater kayakers’ bucket lists.
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Rock ‘n’ roll whitewater on the Kananaskis River
Closest town to put-in: Canmore, Alberta
Access: The put-in for the Lower Kananaskis is the parking lot for Widow Maker Rapid located approximately one kilometre upstream of the Kananaskis Information Centre.
Best post-run grub: Is there any doubt? The Grizzly Paw in Canmore, of course — a sweet patio, and some fine microbrews from their wide selection.
Although only class II and III, the Kananaskis is a primo park and play river with a variety of features to while away a summer afternoon. The river is warm, you’re in the mountains and the scenery is killer. Kayakers hit Widow Maker right out of the gate, a class III pool drop, other fun features follow such as Point Break, a sweet hole for playboating as well as river surfing. Santa Claus is a large wave further downstream. Take a break at the campground following the first section before continuing on to additional waves such as Green Tongue, and don’t miss the slalom course on site for a bit more fun before calling it a day and making your way back to Canmore.
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