The program combines on-water training with practical skills and personal development:

• Whitewater kayaking: Refine technique, develop advanced manoeuvres, and improve river reading, scouting, and navigation.
• Competition skills: Practise through regular competitions and learn to perform under pressure.
• River safety: Develop kayak swiftwater rescue skills and complete First Aid and CPR certification.
• Leadership and teamwork: Take on responsibilities, support other participants, and contribute to the group.
• Communication: Build confidence through public speaking and written reflections.
• Filmmaking: Explore kayaking filmmaking using professional equipment.
• Industry experience: Learn about pathways into instruction, guiding, video boating, and professional paddling.

Personal growth, a positive attitude, and a strong work ethic are central to the program.

The Keener Program is not your typical summer experience. Instead, it is a youth development program focused on high-performance kayaking. Here’s a breakdown of what your teen will experience and learn:

1. Youth and Character Development

• Personal Growth: Keeners will focus on developing strong character, a positive attitude, and a strong work ethic that will benefit them both on and off the water.
• Leadership Skills: As part of the program, Keeners will take on leadership roles, honing their ability to lead, motivate, and inspire others in the group.
  
  

2. Public Speaking and Communication

• Public Speaking: Keeners will participate in icebreaker speeches on Sunday nights and formal speeches every Monday, helping them develop confidence and effective communication skills.
• Written Communication: Keeners are required to post updates to their weblogs at least weekly, enhancing their ability to articulate thoughts and reflect on their progress.
  
  

3. Kayak Skill Development and Competitive Training

• Skill Refinement: The program focuses on advanced kayaking techniques and river navigation skills, allowing teens to master their craft under expert guidance.
• Competitive Training: Keeners participate in weekly competitions to test their skills in real-world scenarios, helping them grow as athletes and paddlers.
  
  

4. Cross-Training and Safety Training

• Swiftwater Rescue Training: Keeners will receive kayak swiftwater rescue training, ensuring they are well-prepared for any emergency situation on the river.
• First Aid and CPR Certification: Participants also earn their First Aid and CPR certifications, a valuable skill for anyone looking to pursue kayaking or outdoor adventure as a career.
  
  

5. Becoming a PRO Boater

• The ultimate goal of the Keener Program is to prepare your teen for life as a professional kayaker. They will learn the skills, mental toughness, and professionalism required to thrive in the kayaking industry.
  
  

6. Movie Making and River Travel

• Keeners are given the opportunity to create kayaking films using professional movie-making equipment. This is a great way for them to capture their experiences and share their progress.
• Keeners will also have the chance to travel to other rivers (at additional cost), expanding their kayaking experiences and building their portfolio as pro boater.

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

• Have a flat-water roll.
• Have proficient boat control in Class II–III rapids.
• Be ready to practise existing and new skills in more dynamic water.

Your instructor will help you refine your technique and develop new skills in the Ottawa River’s world-class whitewater. This includes opportunities to build a more reliable whitewater roll or explore backdeck rolls, offside rolls, and hand rolls, depending on your experience and goals. Everyone progresses differently, and coaching will reflect where you are in your paddling.

Unsure which program fits your experience? Contact info@ottawakayak.com before booking.

Our Teen Kayak Weeks and Intermediate Teen Kayak Weeks provide a starting point for beginner and intermediate paddlers.

Running from Sunday evening to late Friday afternoon, these programs give teens an opportunity to develop their skills, experience a kayaking-focused week, and discover whether they would enjoy progressing into Keeners.

Contact us for help choosing the program that matches your teen’s experience and readiness.

The program’s roots reach back to the late 1980s, when teacher and paddler Jerry Marquis brought enthusiastic students from Tupper Lake, New York, to kayak. Known as “Jerry’s Kids,” the group eventually welcomed young paddlers from outside his classroom.

The original program ended after Jerry’s passing in 1994. Years later, requests from parents of Teen Kayak Week participants helped bring it back as the Keener Program.

Former Keeners include Ken Whiting, James Roddick, and Scott and Robb Gaffney. The program has also developed an international competition legacy: 21 Keeners competed at the 2009 World Championships in Thun, Switzerland, with seven reaching the podium. In 2015, 30 competed at the World Championships at Garburator on the Ottawa River, again earning seven podium finishes.

Personal development remains at the heart of the program, alongside its paddling achievements.