Canoe Club Membership Procedures for 2019
Some modifications to the Canoe Club membership procedures for 2019 are listed below.
1) Members only have to pay the membership to join the RA once unless they let it lapse in which case they have to pay it again. Members however will be given a three month grace period during which the RA membership fee will be waved.
2) Canoe Club annual memberships now run for 12 months from the date that a member joined. The RA will send a reminder email to a member one month before their Canoe Club membership expires.
3) If a Canoe Club membership is not renewed by the expiry date, there will be no grace period. The member will be removed from the Canoe Club membership list and their access to the Canoe Club website will be blocked. If they renew after the expiry date, their access to the website will be promptly restored.
4) New members will get a $25 discount on their RA membership fee if they register for a weekend training course at the same time as joining the Canoe Club.
Upcoming Events
Please note the following events:
1) Navigation and Winter Environment - 7:00pm February 21
This evening will introduce the basics of navigation using a map and compass. The practical component will take place during the weekend at Limerick Forest.
Basic Navigation
Way finding in the winter
Winter vs Summer / Land vs Water
Sounds of Winter
Members and non-members welcome
Cost: Free
Room: Outaouais (at the East end of the building)
Location: RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Drive, Ottawa
Registration with Training Coordinator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. is recommended.
2) The Snake River, and other worthwhile Adventures in the Yukon - 7:00pm February 26
The Snake river is one of the classic northern expeditions in the Peel watershed, accessible to whitewater paddlers. Join RACCC members to learn about their self-guided summer 2018 voyage on the Snak plus hiking (and eating their) way through the MacKenzie mountain range.
Logistical and culinary tips as well as other worthwhile excursions will be noted, such whitewater day trips from Whitehorse, hiking in the Tombstones, and exploring glaciers in Kluane and Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park.
Members and non members welcome
Cost: Free
Room: Courtside B (at the East end of the building)
Location: RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Drive, Ottawa
No registration required.
3) The Camino de Santiago - 7:00pm March 7
One of the world’ most popular treks is the Camino Frances (from just inside France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain). This seminar will review available routes, when to go, how to get there, what to bring and where to stay and eat. Paul H. will also review some of the highlights of his trek in 2018.
Presenter: Paul H. (other Ottawa residents who have walked other routes will be invited to attend and supplement the presentation).
Members and non members welcome
Cost: Free
Room: Courtside B (at the East end of the building)
Location: RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Drive, Ottawa
No registration required.
4) Cross-country Ski/Snowshoe - Gatineau Park - Herridge Cabin - 4:00pm March 9
Join a group of us for a cross-country ski or snowshoe hike from P16 (off Pine Road) or snowshoe from P15 (Cross-Loop Road) into Herridge cabin. Bring something to drink, food to share, a headlapm, tea candles, etc. Dress in layers to prevailing conditions. Mett at 4:00 p.m. at the starting point. Paul H. will co-ordinate the ski group from P16. Contact Paul H. to notify if you are coming and if you need a ride or can offer one (car pooling is encouraged)
5) WINTER CAMPING & TRAINING WEEKEND March 9-10
A weekend out at Limerick Forest Interpretive centre that allows us access to a beautiful cabin and a beautiful trails to provide a chance to test out skills learned and learn new ones.
Planning Meeting
Thursday, February 28, 2019
7:00pm - 9:00pm | RA Centre, Courtside B
Tarplogy
Food/water: Stoves vs Fires , Energy needs (winter vs summer)
Light management / Battery conservation
Camp Selection / Preparation
Practical exercise travel / navigation
Shelters: Commercial, Emergency, Other
Scenarios
Fee (course): $25/person (members and non members welcome)
Register on-line at www.racentre.com/PlayRA, by phone at
613-733-5100 or in person at the East Member Services desk.
Adventure Smart:10 Essential Survival Items
According to Adventure Smart (more info here) - here are the 10 basic survival items to have with you in any outdoors situation, whether you're out for a few hours or few days. (Check out sample kit below)
(These are not the specialized/essential pieces of equipment that you would bring for a camping trip e.g. tent, sleeping bag, etc.)
1. Flashlight, spare batteries (and bulb)
2. Fire making kit: waterproof matches/lighter, fire starter/candle
3. Signaling device: whistle or mirror
4. Extra food and water
5. Extra clothing (rain, wind, water protection, toque
6. Navigation aids (map/compass)
7. First Aid Kit (know how to use it)
8. Emergency Shelter (orange??) :-)
9. Pocket knife
10. Sun protection (glasses, sunscreen, hat)
Paddling the 'Eye' of Quebec - 2018 Trip
Paddling the ‘Eye” of Quebec A cool place to paddle….but…would we go again?
About 214 million years ago a 5 km diameter meteor struck the earth. It is one of the oldest known impact craters on earth.
In the 1960’s, a series of dams (power generating stations) created a circular reservoir at the crater site. ‘Lac’ also known as ‘the eye of Quebec’, can be seen from space and is one of Quebec’s ‘curiosities’.
This geological phenomenon offered an enticing destination that was also doable and affordable! If someone had a keen interest in geology it would be a fascinating place to go! Despite impact taking place so long ago you can still see how it shaped the landscape. Amazing to think of how much heat it took to liquidate bedrock and shape the island and surrounding mountains!
Circumnavigating the centre island is approximately 250 km, requiring 10 – 12 days of 20 – 30 kms per day. Bonus – no portages !
But…. Beware the weather! Due to the lake effect and long reaches, it changes quickly from sunny and calm to dark, stormy, windy, waves and buckets of rain!
How far away is it? It is located about 300 KM north of what is now Baie Comeau. About 1160 kms from Ottawa or 14 driving hours with the last 4 hrs on a road alternating between asphalt and gravel. Access is easy – if you don’t mind the long drive. We opted to drive for 2 ‘reasonable’ distance days . On our way to , we camped at Les Bergeronnes right on the shores of the St Lawrence River just north of Tadoussac. Beautiful!
Baby It's Cold Outside
Here is an interesting website about dealing with cold that is funded by the government of Canada. Gerry G stars in the lost skiers episode.
Voyageur Canoe Trip Sept 6-10, 2018
Driftwood Provincial Park was the gathering place for the
beginning of our trip and the first night stay after dropping a
vehicle at the Pembroke Marina for the car shuttle at the end.
It felt like a family reunion since we were 10 of the paddlers
from the East Wind Brigade of last June.
Friday began with the club percolator bubbling away as we
packed up to meet Alistaire Baird and our boat at The Swisha
(Rapides-des-Joachims).
The mist hung low over the river as we lifted the 33 ft boat
down from the trailer, checked the maps, listened to Alistaire's
advice on our route, packed our gear and gathered for a
tobacco ceremony before slipping into the calm water of the
Ottawa River.
We easily fell into a paddling rhythm after being trained on
last years' voyage. Gouvernail (stern paddler) steered while
communicating with the Avant (bow paddler), who set the
pace while watching for obstacles.
Thanksgiving comes early on the Petawawa
From bad experience comes good stories…
Bruce H and I (Scott C) and two friends from Montreal did the Petawawa last weekend, Sept 21-23 2018. We dropped one car at McManus Lake and carried on to Lake Travers. While we unloaded, a somewhat contemptible canoe landed, carrying two men: one middle-aged and barefoot, the other a young adult, both dressed all in cotton and soaked to the skin. The canoe was a 14 foot fiberglass beast, complete with folding seatbacks, suitable only for kids fishing in artificial ponds. The gentlemen walked up the landing to talk with us, and their story emerged…
Frontenac Provincial Park Family Trip Report
August 31-September 3, 2018
A great weekend relaxing at Hardwood Bay in Frontenanc Provincial Park. The two families that went were Cory, Kylah, Dylan, Riley and dog Dakota plus Nakissa, Grandma Shahin, Darius, and baby Kayvon.
We met late Friday morning and loaded up canoes then headed out for adventure. After picking up permits and a picnic lunch, we drove to the boat launch beside Devil Lake. Along the way we saw a deer, a turkey vulture and a blue jay. We had a great paddle to Hardwood Bay over calm waters and under overcast skies, spotting a few loons. Everyone got setup, we enjoyed a yummy shared dinner of beef stir fry and tacos, then relaxed around a campfire and the kids had fun roasting hotdogs, marshmallows and s’mores.
French River Trip Report 2016
See the attachment for the trip report, two years late!
 French River Trip Report 2016.pdf | [ ] | 1398 kB |
Lake Louisa Loop-Algonquin Park 2018
July 15-20/18 saw 6 paddlers( Shannon H, Delia E, Lynn O,Judy O-O’R, Greg G) led by Rick S, heading out to meet the hoards of deer flies during a paddling trip around Lake Louisa Loop. Luckily, our group tackled the bugs and kilometres of portaging with humour, patience and fabulous food to start and end each day-eggs/bacon tortillas, veggie chilli, two variations of porridge, pasta with pesto, curry with basmati rice and mango chutney and open-faced pizza, for example.
Lake Louisa Loop is a satisfying canoe route giving the paddler varying experiences- lots of paddling through lakes and streams,portaging, navigating beaver dams, beautiful scenery, lovely camp sites and some with sandy beaches. Luckily the leach- infested Welcome Lake was a lunch spot enjoyed on it's sandy beaches and not an overnight stay.
We headed out on the water each day at 9 am , alternating paddling partners, and pulled up for the night in the later afternoon. This gave us lots of time for setting up camp,a swim and relaxing before bed. Due to the fire ban and no nightly campfire, we attempted to play, "Two Truths and a Lie" but quickly discovered that our group were not good liars.
The enduring spirit of canoe trips
Click here for a nice Globe and Mail article on canoeing.
Kiosk 2018
For 8 days in August, we had near perfect weather, very nice campsites and almost no bugs. We started at Kiosk and then stayed at the following lakes in Algonquin Park:Kioshkokwi, Mink and Cauchon. Except for one afternoon, it was dead calm for the whole trip. The temperature ranged from 25C to 30C during the day. Click on "Read More" to see additional photos.
Algonquin South Trip Report 2018
A trip to the French River had to be moved when the park was closed because of a huge forest fire. So instead, we did a 7 day trip to the southern part of Algonquin Park. We visited Galeairy Lake, Rock Lake, Pen Lake and Clydegale Lake. It was nice swimming weather and not unbearably hot like it was in Ottawa. We were also able to stay at three excellent campsites. Click "Read More" to see more photos.