Heidi Walsh Signature Week: Whitewater Kayak Instruction

Foresters Falls, Ontario

Multi-day, action packed program for whitewater kayakers looking to progress their kayaking game!

Heidi's goal for this week is to use the skills I’ve learned from all over the world combined with my experiences from working with Keeners to help you achieve your kayaking ambitions! 

Overview

A leader in the world of whitewater, multi-time team Great Britain Freestyle team member, Dagger Kayaks team rider, Ottawa Kayak School, and Keener Program instructor, Heidi is a consummate professional on and off the water.

One of Heidi’s best attributes as an instructor is her ability to take the highest-end skills and break them down to their most basic form, relating them to back to fundamental skills.

A note from Heidi:

“Join me on one of my favourite places in the world to paddle, the Ottawa River. It is one of the best rivers in the world to improve your all round skills. It’s friendly, big volume and of course, has world-class waves for you to train freestyle. What most people don’t realize is that the Ottawa does more than just create world-class wave boaters. It is also the perfect training ground to develop your river running skills, practice safety skills recreate situations that may occur on the river, and solve problems in safe places.
 
My goal for this week is to use the skills I’ve learned from all over the world and my experience from working with Keeners to help you achieve your kayaking ambitions. I would love to come away from this program with a group of strong, well-rounded kayakers who work hard without compromising having as much fun as possible.”
 
-Heidi Walsh
 
To take full advantage of this course, you will need a reliable whitewater roll to start. 
 
Don’t forget about the Ottawa Kayak School #1 Club! Book 4 friends to the Ottawa Kayak School and your trip is 50% off! Just like our rafting programs we also have a #1 Club for kayakers, bring 5 or more kayakers and receive a discount for the next season!
 

Need some more information? Check out our FAQ’s section or send us an e-mail at [email protected] 

 

Before You Visit

What to expect:

6 Days of Whitewater Kayak Instruction:
Trip timing can vary depending on daily river conditions. Heidi will prioritize your safety and guest enjoyment!

Professional Instructors:
Heidi, is known for her industry-leading skills, as well as her friendly personality and positive attitude.

17 Meals Included:
Starting with breakfast at the beginning of your first on-water day and ending with lunch on your final on-water day.

6 Nights of Camping Included:
All Ottawa Kayak School programs include a campsite, however, camping equipment is not included. 

Daily Shuttle Included:
Each day begins by meeting Heidi, your instuctor at the Rafters Pavilion. After breakfast, a daily orientation and gear loading, you will board the bus which takes the class to the river. Each day ends at Rafters Pavilion within walking-distance from your vehicle.

Necessary Items (for Signature Weeks)

  • Kayak
  • Paddle
  • Sprayskirt
  • Helmet
  • Pfd
  • Drytop or Paddle Jacket
  • Shorts/swimwear
  • Water shoes or old sneakers (flip-flops and crocs are not suitable)
  • Synthetic T-shirts (long sleeve is preferable)
  • Sunscreen/lip balm
  • Towel and change of clothes each day
  • Reusable water bottle 
  • Carabiner clip (to retain equipment you would like to keep inside your kayak)
  • Clothing and personal items
  • Rain gear
  • Synthetic long underwear
  • Light fleece hoodie/pullover

Optional Items

  • Nose clips
  • Sunglasses (will need glasses strap for on-water time)
  • Eyeglass strap
  • Running hat or visor
  • Earplugs (if sensitive to water)

*Please ask your instructor about our coin operated lockers or you always have the option to leave your personal belongings in your car or accommodation, our instructors will have a lockable key box which you’re welcome to leave your keys in prior to each day of kayaking.

All participants must be at least 18 years old OR weigh at least 90 lbs to be participate in this instruction program. No prior experience necessary.

All minors (17 and under) must be accompanied by a participating adult during the activity.

Participants must meet age, weight, and chest size minimums and maximums for the specific trip they are partaking.

Need some more information? Check out our FAQ’s section or send us an e-mail at [email protected] 

Itinerary

Arrival & Check-in:
Your kayak program begins with a 7PM briefing followed directly by a meet and greet.

Day 1 | Gearing Up & Review of the Basics
To best prepare you for your time on water with us, Heidi begins her program with a review of the basics. From the way our boats and gear fit to our most basic techniques, our aim is to master the fundamentals.

  • Gearing Up
    Each program begins the same way: an orientation and personalized sizing of the equipment you will be using.
  • Safety Briefing
    Heidi has your safety in mind. Before getting on the water, your instructor will explain the safety procedures for the day.
  • Let’s Kayak!
    Starting with a basics review and focusing on technique, Heidi will help you achieve your goals!
  • Lunch
    Rehydrate and refuel because your day is only half over!
  • More Kayaking!
    Continue challenging yourself! The second half of the day will build upon the first half of Heidi’s lesson plan.
  • Your arrival back to Park Village
    It’s been a full day of whitewater kayaking but don’t run off just yet! Heidi will provide you with an itinerary for Day 2 and the evening’s entertainment options.

Days 2 & 3 | Implementation of New Skills:
As the program continues, Heidi will encourage you, the participant, to take the skills you learned in Day 1 and implement them in more dynamic scenarios providing feedback along the way through verbal coaching and video review.

On Wednesday, Heidi has a special surprise for you, a private wine tasting!

Day 4 | Continue Your Progression:
Heidi will continue to help you progress during Day 4 to help prepare you for culmination day! 

Thursday night, we celebrate the wins of the week together as all adult programs go out to dinner at the Ottawa River Barn. The kayak school leaves at 5:45 pm for our standing 6 pm dinner reservation.

Day 5 & 6 | Culmination Days:
Challenge by choice will be the theme on culmination day. Heidi will provide opportunities for you to use the new skills you’ve learned throughout the week and push yourself as far as you can!

Program Calendar

Note: Prices are subject to 13% HST & $15/day/person Park Pass

*Holiday Rate,  **Spring & September Discount – Opening Weekend – and After Labor Day Weekend.

Choose Activity Date to Begin Booking or Quote

Optional Upgrades

Accommodation Upgrades:
Receive a 40% discount on all accommodation upgrades by booking a multi-day whitewater kayak program.

Equipment Rental:
Ottawa Kayak School is proud to be the World’s first Jackson Kayak super school. For $330 CAD, you can rent a Jackson Kayak (AntiX 2.0 or Rockstar V), paddle (Werner Rio), helmet (Sweet Wanderer) , sprayskirt (LevelSix King), and PFD (NRS Ion) for the duration of your program.

Stayover Package:
Stayover packages bundle your choice of activity with an additional dinner, breakfast, and a night of camping.

Storage Lockers: 
Coin operated storage lockers can be found on-site to keep your valuables safe while you are on the river.

Airport Shuttles:
Can be arrange, please contact Ottawa Kayak School via e-mail at [email protected]

All Prices reflect nightly rate with 40% discount applied in Canadian Dollars: 

Smaller Units:

Bayside Suites: – $119.40 Sun-Thurs & $143.40 Fri-Sat

Cedar Cabins: – $95.40 Sun-Thurs & $113.40 Fri-Sat

Eco Cedar Cabins: – $107.40 Sun-Thurs & $137.40 Fri-Sat

Super Deluxe Cedar Cabins: $149.40 Sun-Thurs & $173.40 Fri-Sat

Glamping Tent: – $77.40 per night

Hostel Cabin Mini: – $59.40 Sun-Thurs & $77.40 Fri-Sat

Hostel Cabin Plus: – $71.40 Sun-Thurs & $95.40 Fri-Sat

Hostel Motel: – $50.40 Sun-Thurs & $68.40 Fri-Sat

Hostel Motel Plus: – $59.40 Sun-Thurs & $77.40 Fri-Sat

Larger Units:

The Cottage Loft: – $101.40 Sun-Thurs & $137.40 Fri-Sat

The Cottage Main: – $179.40 Sun-Thurs & $239.40 Fri-Sat

London House Center: – $179.40 Sun-Thurs & $239.40 Fri-Sat

London House East: – $143.40 Sun-Thurs & $191.40 Fri-Sat

London House West: – $143.40 Sun-Thurs & $191.40 Fri-Sat

The Manor Main: – $299.40 Sun-Thurs & $401.40 Fri-Sat

The Manor Master: – $155.40 Sun-Thurs & $221.40 Fri-Sat

Location

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