5 Days of Instruction
5 Nights Camping
14 Meals Included
Immersing yourself in a subject for 5-days gives you enough time to to practice, ask questions, and build confidence through repeated experience. This is your chance to settle into the sport and give your new skills time to develop.
Our 5-day beginner program allows participants to start with flat-water practice and build towards moving water with the support of our instructors. The Ottawa River’s deep and warm waters, paired with its varied channels, provide endless opportunities to develop your paddling, learn river-safety skills, and put new techniques into practice.
This course welcomes first-time kayakers and paddlers transitioning from recreational or sea kayaking. Instruction follows your progression, with daily plans adapted to river conditions.
You’ll work on the fundamentals of whitewater kayaking, including:
You do not need to know how to roll before joining the course. Skills develop through practice, and progression varies between participants.
Your package includes five days of instruction, kayaking equipment, fourteen meals, five nights of camping, all of the whitewater kayaking equipment you will need to get started (Helmet, PFD, Sprayskirt, Paddle, Kayak, and a Wetsuit for cooler days), and shuttles to the river. Bring your personal paddling clothing and, if camping, your own tent and sleeping equipment.
As the world’s first Jackson Kayak super school, Ottawa Kayak School offers top-of-the-line kayaks like the AntiX 3.0 or Rockstar V, giving you the chance to choose the right boat for your kayaking adventure, whether you prefer a mild or wild ride. At the beginning of every course, our instructors will help you with equipment fitting before you head onto the water.
Halal, gluten-free, and vegan meals carry an additional charge of $2 per person, per meal, plus HST.
Program prices are subject to 13% HST.
No previous kayaking experience is required. This course is suitable for adults learning to kayak and paddlers moving into whitewater from recreational or sea kayaking so long as a minimum weight of 90 pounds or 40 kilograms is met.
Teens ages 12-17 may join when accompanied by a participating adult aged 18 or older.
Participants must meet the program’s age, weight, and equipment-fit requirements. If you have questions about eligibility or equipment sizing, contact info@ottawakayak.com before booking.
Kayaking equipment and wetsuits are provided.
Your program begins with a 7 pm briefing on the riverside patio at Rafters Pavilion. This serves as a brief overview of what to expect during the week followed by a meet and greet with other kayak school participants.
Dinner on arrival evening is not included. Plan to eat before arriving or ask us to add on dinner to your reservation!
Meet your instructor at the Rivershop located in the back of the Rafters Pavilion. This is where your instructor will confirm the schedule and river plan.
Your fourteen meals begin with breakfast on your first paddling day and finish with lunch on your final day.
Please tell us about dietary requirements when booking. Halal, gluten-free, and vegan meals are available for an additional $2 per person, per meal, plus HST.
Our local rate includes on-water instruction and your lunches for a reduced rate of $1050 per person.
This reduced rate is available exclusively to permanent residents of Whitewater Region.
Local participants arrive at 8 am and finish by 4:30 pm daily.
Book four friends into an Ottawa Kayak School program and receive 50% off your own trip. Email info@ottawakayak.com to arrange the offer.
Special group pricing is available. Send us your group size, preferred dates, and program so we can provide a quote.
Club discounts are available on existing beginner and intermediate 2, 3, and 5 day programs.
Pricing depends on participant numbers and instructor arrangements. Additional instructors cost $200 per day.
Contact us before booking to confirm the applicable discount and whether offers can be combined.
Please note: daily timings and river plans may change with weather conditions and participant progression.
Join the 7 pm briefing at Rafters Pavilion and meet other participants. This is your opportunity to get oriented before the first day of instruction and to become part of the paddling community!
Continue practicing the skills introduced on Day 1, applying them in whitewater with your instructor’s support. The day’s activities follow the group’s progression and current river conditions.
The progression continues as our instructors continue to help you implement new skills during your first trip down the Middle Channel of the Ottawa River! This is the main reason to choose the 3 Day Beginner over the 2 Day Beginner.
Our instructors will continue to help you progress on water 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.
Challenge by choice will be the theme on culmination day. Our instructors will provide opportunities for you to use the new skills you’ve learned throughout the week and push yourself as far as you can!
Choose an activity date below to view available pricing and begin your booking or request a quote.
Note: Prices are subject to 13% HST
Reservations can be made online or by calling the Ottawa Kayak School at Wilderness Tours Resort at 1.888.723.8669 with VISA/Mastercard/Amex/Visa-Debit. E-transfers are also accepted with minimum booking/payment 7 days in advance of arrival.
A 50% deposit is required to confirm your trip reservation with the balance due 30 days in advance of arrival (the Ottawa Kayak School at Wilderness Tours will automatically charge your credit card).
Reservations within 30 days of your trip require full payment with the reservation.
Full refunds are issued only if trip cancellation notice is received more than 30 days prior to the trip date.
No refunds or alternate dates will be issued within 30 days of trip date without cancellation insurance.
Explore accommodation upgrades, extra nights, and transportation options for your visit. Contact our team to confirm availability and pricing before booking.
Your package includes five nights of camping. If you’d prefer another accommodation option for 5-days you’ll receive a 20% discount on the accommodation.
Please fill out the custom quote form and we will get back to you directly!
Accommodation upgrades are additional to the course price and subject to availability.
Extend your visit with a stayover package that adds a night of camping, dinner, and breakfast.
Please fill out our custom quote form and our team will arrange the additional night and confirm pricing for your stay.
Shuttles from Ottawa Airport are available upon request.
Email info@ottawakayak.com with your flight details to confirm availability, pickup arrangements, and pricing before finalising your travel plans.
Ottawa Kayak School at Wilderness Tours
1260 Grants Settlement Road
Foresters Falls, Ontario
