From your first paddle strokes to your next big breakthrough
Whitewater kayak courses, coaching, and
youth camps on the Ottawa River
Learn to Whitewater Kayak
Choose how much time you’d like to spend learning
Beginner 2 Day
Discover whitewater kayaking with a 2-day introduction on the Ottawa River. Learn the fundamentals with guidance from our instructors, get comfortable in your kayak, and begin exploring moving water.
👤 Ages 18+
🟦 Medium Intensity
🍴 5 Meals Included
⛺ 2 Nights Camping
Starting at $670 per person
Beginner 3 Day
The 3-day beginner course combines an introduction to whitewater kayaking with an extra day to build on what you’ve learned. Develop your paddling skills and confidence with support from our instructors.
👤 Ages 18+
🟦 Medium Intensity
🍴 8 Meals Included
⛺ 3 Nights Camping
Starting at $890 per person
Beginner 5 Day
Starting with the fundamentals, you’ll have time to practice, ask questions, and build confidence through repeated experience. It’s a chance to settle into the sport and give your new skills time to develop.
👤 Ages 18+
🟦 Medium Intensity
🍴 14 Meals Included
⛺ 5 Nights Camping
Starting at $1469 per person
Your first kayaking course
Do I need previous experience?
No previous kayaking experience is required. Our beginner courses start with equipment fitting, safety skills, and flat-water practice before progressing to moving water. Your instructor will help you build confidence and develop your skills at your own pace.
What equipment is provided?
All essential kayaking equipment is included: a kayak, paddle, helmet, personal flotation device (PFD), sprayskirt, and wetsuit.
Bring swimwear, secure water shoes or old sneakers, and suitable clothing for the weather. Drytops and paddle jackets are not provided.
Are meals and accommodation included?
Our standard beginner packages include meals and a campsite:
2-Day: 5 meals and 2 nights camping.
3-Day: 8 meals and 3 nights camping.
5-Day: 14 meals and 5 nights camping.
Meals begin with breakfast on your first paddling day and finish with lunch on your final day. Bring your own tent and sleeping equipment, or choose an accommodation upgrade at an additional cost.
Which course is right for me?
All three beginner courses start with the fundamentals.
2-Day: An introduction to whitewater kayaking, with time to learn the basics and begin applying them in moving water.
3-Day: An additional day to practice and build on your skills, with a planned trip down the Ottawa River’s Middle Channel, depending on conditions and progression.
5-Day: The most time for practice, repetition, and instructor feedback to help you build a stronger foundation.
Unsure which to choose? Email info@ottawakayak.com, and we’ll help you find the right fit.
Build Confidence & Advance
Coaching to match your experience and goals
Intermediate 2 Day
Build on your whitewater experience with focused coaching on the Ottawa River. Work on stroke choice, timing, and using river features to navigate more effectively. This 2-day course is an opportunity to refine your technique, work through challenges, and develop greater confidence in your paddling.
👤 Ages 18+
♦︎ High Intensity
🍴 5 Meals Included
⛺ 2 Nights Camping
Starting at $740 per person
Intermediate 3 Day
Combine skill development with time to enjoy the Ottawa River. Learn new river running and playboating techniques, with opportunities to work on goals such as learning to boof or developing your loop. Our instructors will help you understand what to practice and how to keep progressing.
👤 Ages 18+
♦︎ High Intensity
🍴 8 Meals Included
⛺ 3 Nights Camping
Starting at $985 per person
Intermediate 5 Day
Develop your whitewater skills on the Ottawa River. Refine your stroke choice, timing, and use of river features, with more time to practice and apply feedback between sessions. This 5-day course combines coaching and river experience to help you become a more confident and capable paddler.
👤 Ages 18+
♦︎ High Intensity
🍴 14 Meals Included
⛺ 5 Nights Camping
Starting at $1649 per person
Private Instruction
Private instruction is available for individuals and private groups. These sessions offer coaching tailored to your experience and what you want to work on. Refine a particular skill, build confidence, or get help moving past a challenge.
👤 Ages 13+
👍 Any Intensity
🍴 Lunch Included
$675 per person + $150 per additional participant
Planning your next progression
Am I ready for an intermediate course?
Our intermediate courses are for paddlers with previous whitewater kayaking experience who want to develop their skills. If you’re unsure where you fit, tell us about the rivers you’ve paddled, how comfortable you feel, and what you’d like to work on. We’ll help you choose a suitable program.
Do I need to bring my own kayaking equipment?
Equipment rentals are not included in intermediate course pricing. Bring your own kayaking equipment or contact us before booking to arrange rentals at an additional cost. Let us know what you need so we can confirm availability and pricing.
Should I choose two, three, or five days?
Choose two days for a focused coaching visit, three days for more time to practice and apply feedback, or five days to spend a full week developing your paddling. Your experience, goals, and available time can help determine the best fit.
Can I upgrade my accommodation?
Accommodation upgrades are available. Guests booking five-day programming receive 20% off the nightly rates on accommodation upgrades. Contact us to explore available options and confirm the cost for your stay.
Kids' & Teen Kayak Programs
Explore programs for your child’s age and paddling experience
Intermediate Teen Kayak Week
Working with our instructors, your teen will develop their technique and confidence alongside other young paddlers. This program gives teens time to practice, take on new challenges, and enjoy progressing together on the water.
👤 Ages 12-17
♦︎ High Intensity
🍴 15 Meals Included
⛺ 5 Nights of Shared Accommodation
Starting at $1399 per person
Keener Program
The Keener Program brings together young paddlers who want to develop both on and off the water. Through an extended program centred on whitewater kayaking, participants work on their paddling while building confidence, independence, and lifelong friendships.
👤 Ages 18+
♦︎ High Intensity
🍴 All Meals Included
⛺ 3 Weeks of Shared Accommodation
Starting at $1495 per week
Kids Kayak Week
Give your child an introduction to whitewater kayaking that makes room for how kids learn. Over 5-days, our instructors help young paddlers develop skills and confidence with an approach suited to their age and experience. Learning, encouragement, and time on the water come together for a memorable week.
👤 Ages 7-12
🟢 Low Intensity
🍴 14 Meals Included
⛺ 5 Nights Camping
Starting at $1399 per person
Lil Ripper
Designed for young kayakers ready to build on their existing abilities, Lil Ripper is a 5-day program focused on taking the next step. Our instructors help developing paddlers refine their skills, gain confidence, and work towards new goals while sharing the experience with other kids who enjoy being on the river.
👤 Ages 7-12
🟦 Medium Intensity
🍴 14 Meals Included
⛺ 5 Nights Camping
Starting at $1399 per person
Teen Kayak Week
Introduce your teen to whitewater kayaking with 5-days of learning and adventure on the Ottawa River. Our coaches help new paddlers build a foundation of skills and grow comfortable on the water. It’s a chance to try something new, make friends, and discover the enjoyment of learning to whitewater kayak.
👤 Ages 12-17
🟦 Medium Intensity
🍴 15 Meals Included
⛺ 5 Nights of Shared Accommodation
Starting at $1399 per person
Planning for your Kids & Teens
Which program is right for my child?
Start with your child’s age and previous kayaking experience. Kids Kayak Week and Teen Kayak Week offer a beginner’s introduction to the sport, while Lil Ripper and Intermediate Teen Kayak Week help young paddlers build on existing intermediate-level skills. If you’re considering Keeners or aren’t sure which program fits, our team can help.
Does my child need previous kayaking experience?
Our introductory kids’ and teen programs welcome new paddlers. Progression programs require prior experience, so please check each program’s requirements. Please tell us what your child has done before and how comfortable they feel on the water, and we’ll help you choose.
Is a meal included on arrival day?
Arrival meals are not included in Kids Kayak Week or Lil Ripper, so please plan to eat before arriving or make separate meal arrangements. An arrival meal is included in both the Intermediate and Teen Kayak School programming. Check your program’s arrival instructions for meal and check-in times.
Can my child attend with a friend or group?
Let us know if your child is coming with friends so we can discuss the most suitable program for everyone. Special group pricing is available for groups of seven or more. Contact us before booking to confirm the arrangements and applicable pricing.
Signature Clinics & Guest Coaching
Explore focused coaching with guest instructors on the Ottawa River
Adult Keener Program
“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.
👤 Ages 18+
♦︎ High Intensity
🍴 All Meals Included
⛺ 5-12 Nights of Shared Accommodation
Starting at $2299 per week
Confidence, Flow & Fun with Anna Levesque
Build confidence and find more enjoyment in your paddling with Anna. This program brings together skill development and the mental side of kayaking, helping you approach challenges with greater focus and trust in your abilities. Explore your progression on the Ottawa River with confidence, flow, & fun.
👤 Ages 18+
🟦 Medium Intensity
🍴 15 Meals Included
⛺ 6 Nights of Shared Accommodation
Starting at $3899 per person
Eli Geisenberger Signature Week
Join Eli Geisenberger on the Ottawa River for a week focused on freestyle kayaking. Designed for intermediate paddlers, this program offers an opportunity to refine your technique and work towards your freestyle goals with dedicated coaching. Spend time practicing, asking questions, and developing a better understanding of your moves.
👤 Ages 18+
♦︎ High Intensity
🍴 14 Meals Included
⛺ 5 Nights Camping
Starting at $2299 per person
Nick Troutman’s Advanced River Running & Playboating
Develop your river running and freestyle skills with Nick Troutman on the Ottawa River. Designed for intermediate and advanced paddlers, this 5-day program combines coaching with opportunities to put your technique into practice. Work towards your goals, refine existing skills, and explore new challenges in both river running and playboating.
👤 Ages 18+
♦︎ High Intensity
🍴 14 Meals Included
⛺ 5 Nights Camping
Starting at $2299 per person
Planning your signature experience
How do I choose the right guest coaching program?
Each program has its own coaching focus, from confidence and flow to freestyle or advanced river running. Choose based on the skills you want to develop and the experience level listed for that program. Our team can help you find the right fit.
Do I need to be an advanced paddler?
Not every guest coaching program is designed for advanced paddlers. Experience requirements vary by program, so check the individual listing before booking. If you’re unsure, tell us about your paddling background and goals so we can help assess the fit.
Are equipment rentals and arrival meals included?
An arrival meal is included in signature week programming. Equipment inclusions vary by program, so check the individual package details before booking. If you need rental equipment, contact us to confirm availability, what’s included, and any additional costs.
Can I upgrade my accommodation?
Accommodation upgrades are available, and five-day programming qualifies for 20% off the nightly rates on those upgrades. Contact us to confirm whether this applies to your chosen guest coaching program and to explore accommodation options for your dates.
Already paddling on the Ottawa?
Equipment and services for your time on the Ottawa River
Kayak Equipment Rentals
Planning a paddling trip to the Ottawa River? Get equipped with whitewater kayak and gear rentals from Ottawa Kayak School. Whether you’re flying in or need equipment for your visit, explore rental options for kayaks, paddles, PFDs, helmets, and spray skirts, and arrange what you need before heading onto the water.
Paddler Services
Make Wilderness Tours your base for exploring the Ottawa River. Discover the services available to visiting whitewater kayakers and find practical information to help plan your stay. Whether it’s your first visit or a return to familiar rapids, our team can help you understand the options for your time here.
Used Kayaks
Looking for your next whitewater kayak? Explore used Jackson Kayaks from the Ottawa Kayak School fleet at Wilderness Tours. As we update a portion of our fleet each year, boats become available for purchase. Get in touch to ask about current models, sizing, condition, and availability.
Planning your Ottawa River visit
Can you arrange transportation from Ottawa Airport?
Airport shuttles from Ottawa Airport are available upon request. Contact us with your flight details before finalizing your travel plans so we can confirm availability, timing, and pricing.
Do you offer group pricing?
Special group pricing is available for groups of seven or more. Tell us your group size, preferred program, and dates, and we’ll help you explore the available options. Please contact us before booking to arrange your group’s pricing.
What is the Ottawa Kayak School #1 Club?
Bring four friends who book an Ottawa Kayak School program, and receive 50% off your own trip. To arrange this offer, email info@ottawakayak.com before booking so our team can confirm the details and apply the discount.
Are there special rates for kayak clubs?
Yes. Kayak clubs and their organizers can access special pricing on our existing beginner and intermediate two, three, and five-day programs. Discounts depend on your group size and instructor arrangements. Email info@ottawakayak.com with your numbers, dates, and preferred course for a club quote.
Is there a rate for local residents?
A reduced rate that includes on-water instruction and lunches is available exclusively to permanent residents of the Whitewater Region. Contact us to confirm the local rate for your chosen program and dates. This option is designed for eligible residents who do not need meals beyond lunch or overnight accommodation.