Adult Keener Program

Whitewater Kayak Instruction on the Ottawa River

“I wish you had Keeners for adults!” We heard it enough that we made it happen. Designed for intermediate and advanced adult paddlers, Adult Keeners brings the focused coaching and accelerated progression of our renowned Keener Program to adults ready to challenge themselves, build their skills, and share the river with equally enthusiastic paddlers.

Overview

Join us for an unforgettable kayaking experience on the world-renowned Ottawa River! With flexible arrival options, you can choose to join us for 5 days or extend your adventure with the Montreal Weekend for $1000 CAD, adding two extra days for a total of 7 days.

Alternatively, for the ultimate experience, opt for our 12-day program for $3295 CAD, which explores the best whitewater in the region.

Experience required: A reliable whitewater roll and proficient boat control in Class III rapids.

What you'll learn

Coaching draws from the following skills, depending on your experience, goals, and river conditions:

  • River reading and scouting: Break down Class III-IV rapids and choose your line.
  • Stroke refinement: Improve stroke choice, timing, and combinations.
  • Ferrying, eddy turns, and peel-outs: Move between currents with greater control.
  • Carving and momentum: Use your edges and river features to control your direction.
  • River running: Develop strategies for navigating more complex and powerful water.
  • Surfing and spinning: Practice using waves and holes.
  • Boofing and using rocks: Explore techniques for navigating river features.
  • River safety: Develop self-rescue and assisted rescue skills.
  • Bracing and rolling: Improve stability and build a more reliable whitewater roll, with opportunities to explore backdeck rolls, offside rolls, and hand rolls as your skills develop.


Everyone progresses differently, and your instructor will tailor coaching to your experience and goals.

Before You Visit

Your package includes five to twelve days of instruction, all meals included, five to twelve nights of shared accommodation, and shuttles to the river.

You will need to bring your own kayaking equipment, or arrange a kayak equipment rental before your visit.

What’s included
Included in your package
  • Five days of instruction with Ottawa Kayak School.
  • All of your meals, from dinner on your arrival evening through lunch on your final day.
  • Five to twelve nights of shared accommodation.
  • Daily river shuttles departing from and returning to Rafters Pavilion.

What is not included
  • Kayaking equipment (helmet, pfd, paddle, sprayskirt, kayak)
  • Drytops or paddle jackets.
  • Optional accommodation upgrades and additional services


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.

Who can join?

This course is for paddlers with previous whitewater experience. Before joining, you should:

  • Have a reliable whitewater roll.
  • Have proficient boat control in Class III rapids.
  • Be ready to practise existing and new skills in more dynamic water.


Minimum weight of 90 pounds or 40 kilograms must be 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.

What to pack
For paddling
  • Kayak
  • Paddle
  • Sprayskirt
  • Helmet
  • Pfd
  • Drytop or Paddle Jacket
  • Shorts or swimwear
  • Water shoes with a heel strap or old sneakers Flip-flops and Crocs are not suitable
  • Synthetic shirts; long sleeves are preferable. Avoid cotton on the water
  • Sunscreen and lip balm
  • A reusable water bottle
  • A carabiner for securing suitable items inside your kayak
  • A towel and change of clothes for each day

For your stay and cooler weather
  • Personal clothing and toiletries
  • Rain gear
  • Synthetic long underwear
  • A light fleece hoodie or pullover
  • Your tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, and other camping equipment if using the included campsite

Optional items that will make you more comfortable
  • Nose clips
  • Sunglasses
  • An eyeglass strap
  • A hat or visor
  • Earplugs if you are sensitive to water
  • Bug spray
  • An extra pair of shoes
Arrival and meal details
Arrival evening

Your program begins with dinner and 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.


Daily meeting point

Meet your instructor daily at 8:30 am at the Rivershop located in the back of the Rafters Pavilion. This is where your instructor will confirm the schedule and river plan.


Included meals

Your meals begin with dinner on your arrival night and finish with lunch on your final paddling 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.

Group offers
Groups of seven or more

Special group pricing is available. Send us your group size, preferred dates, and program so we can provide a quote.

Contact us before booking to confirm the applicable discount and whether offers can be combined.

Itinerary

Please note: daily timings and river plans may change with weather conditions and participant progression.

Full daily itenerary
Arrival evening

Join the 7 pm briefing at Rafters Pavilion and meet other participants. Get oriented before your first day of instruction, share your paddling goals, and meet the people you’ll be learning alongside!

Day 1
  • Equipment check: Meet your instructor and review the fit and setup of your own or rented kayaking equipment.
  • Safety briefing: Review the procedures and communication you’ll use on the water.
  • Morning practice: Review the fundamentals in a combination of flat water and whitewater, focusing on boat control, stroke technique, and identifying areas to develop.
  • Lunch: Take a break to eat and refuel.
  • Afternoon instruction: Build on the morning’s practice, applying skills in whitewater with coaching tailored to your experience and goals.
  • Return to base: Your instructor will explain the plan for Day 2 and share information about evening activities.

Days 2 & 3

Continue refining the skills introduced on Day 1, applying them in more dynamic whitewater. Your instructor will provide feedback through on-water coaching and video review, with opportunities to work on river running, surfing, and rolling. The day’s activities follow the group’s progression and current river conditions.


Day 4

Our instructors 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

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!

Montreal Weekend:

Included in the two week Adult Keener Program or can be an add on for the one week program: Head to Montreal to the Lachine Rapids for more fun in the sun!

Remaining Days

Upon your return from Montreal, the second week of the Adult Keener can be booked as a single week as well but the second week will follows the same basic itinerary as week one, however, river levels determine which sections and rivers our instructors will use.

Program Calendar

Choose an activity date below to view available pricing and begin your booking or request a quote.

Note: Prices are subject to 13% HST

Booking information

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.

Cancellation protection & insurance
More than 30 days before your arrival

Your trip is eligible for a full refund, less any non-refundable accommodation deposits. Cancellation insurance purchases are final sale and non-refundable.

7-29 days before your arrival
  • With cancellation insurance: qualifying cancellations are eligible for a refund, less the cost of insurance and any non-refundable accommodation deposits.
  • Without cancellation insurance: you receive a rain check, less $25 per person, per day and any non-refundable accommodation deposits.

7 days before your arrival

Without cancellation insurance, no refund or credit is available.


What does cancellation insurance cover?

Cancellation insurance covers unexpected illness, accident or family bereavement. Supporting third-party documentation, such as a doctor’s note, is required.

Insurance must be purchased at the time of reservation. It is not available for discounted gift certificates or trips sold as non-refundable.

Are accommodation deposits refundable?

For London House, Manor and Cottage, $100 of the accommodation deposit is non-refundable if you cancel at any time.

Optional Upgrades

Explore accommodation upgrades, extra nights, and transportation options for your visit. Contact our team to confirm availability and pricing before booking.

Accommodation upgrades

Your package includes five nights of shared accommodation. 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.

Kayak equipment rental

Add a kayaking equipment package for $330 CAD for 5-days.

The package includes:

  • Kayak: Jackson AntiX 3.0 or Rockstar V
  • Paddle: Werner Rio
  • Helmet: Sweet Wanderer
  • Sprayskirt: Level Six King
  • PFD: NRS Ninja

Contact info@ottawakayak.com to arrange your rental and confirm equipment availability and fit.

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.

Extra nights and meals

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.

Ottawa Airport transfers

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.

Location

Ottawa Kayak School at Wilderness Tours
1260 Grants Settlement Road
Foresters Falls, Ontario