Request For Volunteers - Boathouse Inventory
Volunteers are needed on Tuesday evenings to undertake the inventory of Club assets, put away equipment and co-ordinate the taking of assets for training and trips. Under COVID protocols, there is limited touching of assets. The time commitment is around one hour. Training is provided.
Please contact Paul Hughes at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to express your interest in volunteering.
Rideau River - Burritt's to Nicholson (Return)
On Saturday, June 12th, a small group of four Club members. It was a first trip with the Club for Brian F. and Rob B., while Jane M. and Paul H. (trip leader) were experienced members. The weather was nearly perfect, with a small tailwind in the morning coming out of the east. Rob - our consulting meteorologist on the trip - claimed that he had ordered the weather. Few large boats were seen travelling on the water and were greatly outnumbered by canoes and kayaks out to enjoy the day.
We paddled to Lower Nicholson Locks along with a short scenic detour past the Andrewsville Bridge. After a picnic lunch in the shade on the nice lawn of the lock station, we took a hike up to the dam beyond Upper Nicholson Locks and a walk over to see the osprey nest and the scenic views from the bridge. The paddle back was pleasant, with mild breezes helping to help cool us down.
The trip was made complete after our paddle by a side trip to nearby Merrickville for gelato at Stella Luna. This was a wonderful way to re-open the paddling season.
Paul H.
Pakenham to Blakeney Rapids June 12 2021
Eight of us gathered happily on a warm sunny June morning at Pakenham beach by the wide, slow Mississippi River above the Pakenham Bridge and rapids. Grateful for one of the first club trips after Ontario’s Stage 1 opening after the end of the stay at home lockdown.
Lots of parking there and basic washrooms which are kept clean. It is a popular spot. The water at the beach was shallow with flat rocks, but good for the kayaks to launch. It was slightly deeper at the gravel patch a few metres further down. Distance from the put-in to Blakeney Falls is around 8.5K for 17K in all.
Whitewater Beginner Solo Re-scheduled -- 10-11 July
The beginner solo course has been rescheduled to the 10-11 July weekend. Registration is not yet available, but you can register on PlayRA athttps://www.racentre.com/enterprise/program/index. The course description is on the club Calendar. If you have questions, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The venue for the course will depend on water levels and interprovincial travel restrictions. The default is likely the Ottawa River with camping at River Run Friday and Saturday nights.
We’re BACK!
The RA Canoe Camping Club is back in business as of Friday June 11, 2021. The first trips have already been posted on the club calendar.
COVID is still a very real risk, so the club procedures include protocols to ensure the safety of participants on club trips. These protocols comply with all health precautions. We expect them to change several times over the summer as government requirements are updated.
The key changes from last year’s protocols are:
- Slightly expanded use of carpooling;
- A mandatory predeparture questionnaire;
- Clarified language on sharing canoes.
The current version of the protocols and of the COVID questionnaire are attached to this article.
Happy paddling!
 COVID Screening Questionnaire.pdf | [ ] | 93 kB |
| RACCC protocols June 2021.pdf | [ ] | 149 kB |
RA Special General Meeting Cancelled
Dear RA Members;
On behalf of the RA Board and staff, I would like to thank-you for your continued support of this 80-year-old institution.
The RA Board has spent the past 18 months working to identify ways to improve the governance of our not-for-profit association and make the RA more resilient in what we expect to be challenging times. Over this period the Board’s Governance Committee has identified common governance practices in not-for-profits, assessed options, developed a number of by-law proposals, sought legal counsel on those proposals, discussed these at the full Board on several occasions, and undertaken a consultation with members.
Over the past weeks the Board conducted four “virtual” consultation sessions with members on its proposed by-law revisions in Town Hall, Champions Table and blended meetings. It also considered and responded to many suggestions, in writing, via telephone and through virtual meetings. All of your feedback has been and is, valued by the Board.
As you know, the Board’s intention was to organize and present its proposals at a Special General Meeting (SGM) scheduled for June 29. I am now writing to advise you that based on feedback received in these consultations, we were unable to identify a way forward on by-law reform at this time. Accordingly, on June 15 the Board decided to cancel its previously scheduled SGM for June 29. Current by-laws, approved by RA membership at the April 25, 2019 and November 26, 2020 Annual General Meetings, remain in effect without change.
Our Board is committed to continuing to engage membership on important issues pertaining to the governance, resilience and sustainability of the RA. We thank you again for your support of the RA.
Sincerely,
Lee McCormack
President, RA Board of Directors
Private Flatwater Canoe Lesson
Three-hour private flatwater canoeing lesson with long time paddler/club instructor: Dot B (more info below)
Learn the basics of paddling a canoe or improve your paddling techniques or learn more advanced paddling strokes, canoeing maneuvers or style. Your choice.
Participants need to be prepared to follow Ottawa Public Health Covid-19 requirements.
Options:
- one person: solo lesson or
- two person: tandem lesson (You need to have your tandem lesson partner. Both are club members.)
Who can participate? Club members only. Age 16 years & up,
Dates available:
- Saturday 9:30 - 12:30 July 3
- Sunday 9:30 - 12:30 July 4
- Saturday 9:30 - 12:30 July 17
- Sunday 9:30 - 12:30 July 18
Whitewater Training Reopening
The Beginner Tandem whitewater course has been rescheduled to 25-27 June. It is likely to be based on the Ottawa River with camping at River Run. There are still a few slots available on PlayRA at https://www.racentre.com/enterprise/program/index
Learn to Canoe July 10
The RA Canoe Camping Club is offering a full-day clinics to teach beginners how to paddle a canoe safely where they want to go.
This will include paddling forwards, turns, stops and safety information. Students who are ready for more instruction will have the opportunity to learn more. These are taught by Paddle Canada instructors in small groups following public health requirements.
Cost $70 per club member or $170 per non-member per day. Click here for more information. The RA Barcode for this course is 00002670.
Questions? email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
How to register: Click here for more information.
Time to Renew your Canoe Club Membership!
If you have not already renewed your canoe club membership for 2021, it will be especially easy to do so this year. There is no longer a requirement to fill out a canoe club registration form if a previous year's one is already on file with the RA.
Avoid the rush later in the season and rejoin today! The club plans to have a busy paddling season for 2021 just like they did for 2020.
There is also a Covid waiver that must be completed online at www.racentre.com/raccc-waiver-adult (adults) or www.racentre.com/raccc-waiver-minor (under 18). If you filled out the waiver in 2020, you do not need to fill it out again for 2021.
For new members, click here for information on joining the club. Please also see the club handbook at the end of this article for more information on the club.
Click here for information on RA Centre closure for the month of April because of the Province of Ontario "emergency brake" shutdown.
During the RA Centre closure, Jill Laidlaw is available at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to answer your enquiries and to take your registration or renewal. (No in-person service available at this time).
| 2020 RACCC Handbook FINAL July 19.pdf | [ ] | 1040 kB |
2021 Discounts for RACCC Members
A benefit of being a member of the RACCC is that some retailers and course providers give discounts to club members.
Also, the RA has a number of community partners that represent a wide range of sectors offering benefits to RA members. Click here for more information.
2020 Canoe Club Trip Reports
A description of how club trips were run in a safe manner during the pandemic is given below followed by links to the trip reports.
If you would like more details about these trips, click here.
We all know 2020 did not go according to plan. Usual plans were all on hold. When some Ontario Provincial Parks opened June 1st we were eager to leave our homes where we had “isolated” for months. Day trips seemed like the safest way to begin. Initially we used the terms “Together Apart” trips. They matched the public health messaging of the time. Due to the pandemic, we would not share vehicles or food. We would not touch the belongings of others and would stay 2 metres apart at all times. Everyone arrived self-contained – they had their own gear. We all carried hand-sanitizer. No club equipment was used because the club was still closed. Participant numbers on each trip were kept small. Anyone with any Covid-19 symptoms or exposures was not to come.
For our first trip on June 1st even the Algonquin Provincial Park staff had no idea how to work during the pandemic, so we self-registered, as if they weren’t present. As time passed park and lock officials figured out how to work during the pandemic. The RACCC officially opened in late June and we could post official club trips again. Instead of doing just one trip to get us outside, we went between one and three times each week! Our blank calendars allowed us to choose the days with good weather.
In addition to these trips, the club ran over 30 whitewater day trips last year on rivers where bicycle shuttles were possible. This included the Lower Madawaska, the Middle Madawaska (near MKC), the Petite Nation, and the Ottawa. Unfortunately, none of us posted trip reports, but if you are interested you can learn about these trips and our 2021 plans at the RACCC Zoom Whitewater Trip seminar on March 31st 7 pm. Details are on the homepage or in the calendar or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Boat Thefts
The Ottawa Citizen reports that the theft of outdoor sporting equipment – including boats – is up. A disturbing aspect of this story is that they cut a metal bar holding the kayak.