Serving as the bookend of the Ottawa River season, the Canada Cup has become an event paddlers circle on their calendars. It marks the beginning of low-water season, when world-class features reemerge and lure kayakers back to the shores of the Ottawa once more.
Two marquee events define the weekend: a freestyle competition at Garburator Wave, site of the 2015 ICF World Freestyle Kayaking Championships, and, new for 2025, a downriver race from the top of the Lorne Rapid to the Bayfront at Wilderness Tours Resort. Organized by the Ottawa Kayak School at Wilderness Tours, and fuelled by over 40 competitors in the freestyle competition, alongside a dedicated crew of volunteers, the event continues to thrive on the strength of the paddling community.
Saturday morning opened with the downriver race. At 10 a.m., paddlers lined up above the Lorne for a mass start. At the sound of the horn, racers turned downstream and surged towards Garburator and down the main channel of the Ottawa. Leading the men’s field was the Ottawa Valley’s own Nick Troutman, while the top women’s time went to Rianna Sterk.
Sunday, the main event, freestyle on the world-famous Garburator Wave. Beginning with the Junior divisions, then Women’s, and finishing with the Men’s, the wave delivered all the drama it’s known for: big air, clean tricks, and no shortage of spectacular wipeouts. Spectators lined the bank, cheering as athletes pushed their limits and the river gave back in kind. By the end of the finals, it was Tillie Knight and Dan Meisenheimer on top of the Junior Women’s and Men’s standings, with Sydney Nixon and Kalob Grady claiming the Senior Women’s and Men’s titles.
The Canada Cup remains, above all, a community-driven event. Special thanks go to the volunteer judges, David Silk, Kalob Grady, and Heidi Walsh, as well as MC Matt Hamilton, DJ Jordon Oattes, scribes Rebecca Shapiro, Paulena Oattes, and Ryan Butterly, and “mister get it done” Campbell Wilson. Their efforts ensured the weekend ran smoothly from start to finish. Lastly, another big thanks to Wilderness Tours for providing the resources necessary to pull off such an event and Level Six for their generous prize donations!
More than just competition, the Canada Cup is a celebration of the Ottawa River and the people it brings together. It’s a chance to gather, to close the season, and to honour a river that continues to inspire paddlers from around the world.
Full results from both the downriver race and freestyle competition are listed below. As the Ottawa Kayak School looks ahead to 2026, they’re turning to you, the community, be sure to cast your vote in the poll and share what type of event you’d like to see in the seasons to come.
Take a moment to fill out this form, and help us plan events that you want to participate in!