Kids Kayak Week

Whitewater Kayak Instruction on the Ottawa River

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.

Overview

Transform Your Child’s Life with Kayaking

Teaching your kids to kayak isn’t just about paddling skills, it’s an experience that will shape their future. While they master kayak techniques and water safety, they’ll also gain self-confidence, a vital life skill that will benefit them for years to come.

What your child will learn

Your kid will work on the fundamentals of whitewater kayaking, including:

  • Equipment and fit: Understanding your kayak, equipment, and how it should fit.
  • Paddle strokes and manoeuvres: Learn the purpose of each stroke and how it relates to moving and turning your kayak through the water, leading to better control of your kayak.
  • Edging and carving: Using your boat’s edges and momentum to change direction.
  • Reading the river: Recognizing features, scouting rapids, and choosing a route.
  • Safety and communication: Understanding river signals and working with your instructor and group.
  • Wet exits and assisted rescues: Practicing how to exit your kayak and manage yourself and your equipment in the water.
  • Introduction to rolling: Learn the foundations of the whitewater kayak roll.


Your child does not need to know how to roll before joining the course. Skills develop through practice, and progression varies between participants.

Does a parent or responsible adult need to stay on-site?

For Kids Kayak Week and Lil Ripper, children stay on-site with their parents or a responsible adult, unless attending through our local day-program option (for Whitewater Region residents).

Our teen programs include shared accommodation with a responsible staff member providing overnight supervision. Parents do not need to stay on-site.

Before You Visit

This package includes five days of instruction, kayaking equipment, fourteen meals, five night 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.

What’s included
Included in your package
  • Five days of instruction with Ottawa Kayak School.
  • Kayak, paddle, helmet, personal flotation device (PFD), spray skirt, and wetsuit. 
  • Fourteen meals, from breakfast on the first paddling morning through lunch on the final day.
  • Five nights of camping.
  • Daily river shuttles departing from and returning to Rafters Pavilion.

What is not included
  • Dinner on your arrival evening.
  • Your tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, and other camping equipment.
  • 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?

No previous kayaking experience is required.

This course is suitable for kids ages 7-12 learning to kayak 

There is a minimum weight of 40 pounds or 18 kilograms that must be met.

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
  • 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

This program 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.


Daily meeting point

Meet your child’s instructor at the Rivershop at 8:30 am daily (located in the back of the Rafters Pavilion). This is where the instructor will confirm the schedule and river plan for the day.


Included meals

The fourteen meals begin with breakfast on the 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.

Local rates and group offers
Local day-program option

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. 


Ottawa Kayak School #1 Club

Book four friends into an Ottawa Kayak School program and receive 50% off your own trip. Email info@ottawakayak.com to arrange the offer.


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 fitting: Meet your instructor and get fitted with the whitewater kayaking equipment you’ll use.
  • Safety briefing: Review the procedures and communication you’ll need on the water.
  • Morning practice: Begin on flat water, working on basic strokes, boat control, and getting comfortable in your kayak.
  • Lunch: Take a break to eat and refuel.
  • Afternoon instruction: Build on the morning’s learning with further practice and instructor feedback on moving water!
  • 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 on water during Day 4 to help prepare you for culmination day! 


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!

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

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