Trip Leading Primer
Wednesday 12 May 2021, 07:00pm - 09:00pm
This seminar is for those wondering what it takes to lead a trip with the RACCC or even on their own. It will cover many of the logistical points that need addressing before you go, when on trip and even possible post trip needs. Scott C. - an experienced trip leader and long-time member of the Club - will address topics such as choosing a route, planning the trip, organizing the planing, transportation, on-the-water issues, meal planning and trip finances. Paul H. - the Flatwater Co-ordinator - wil review required processes of the Club, including posting a trip on the website, filling out forms, reserving Club equipment, safety briefings and making payments to the RA.
Virtual seminar details are available on the calendar here for members. Non-members can get virtual seminar details from the Training Coordinator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in advance of the seminar. To receive materials in advance related to the seminar, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Learn to Canoe
The RA Canoe Camping Club is offering several 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.
Dates May 29 (Barcode 00002668) or May 30 (Barcode 00002669) or July 10 (Barcode 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.
Canoe Club Archives
Mark is in the process of digitizing the club archives. While we have most of the documentation since 1980, the club does not have much from before then. If you have copies of club documents (trips reports, handbooks, newsletters, etc.), please contact him to share them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The intent is to make these documents available to club members but how and when to do so has not yet been decided.
Whitewater Boat #33 returned to fleet
Boat #33 was wrapped on Piano Rock at Palmers two years ago during a training session. We got the gunnels and deck plates back in, but it was a hangar queen all last year because of the inability to get a work party together. However, it has now been repaired and is back in the shed ready to paddle. Click Read More to see some before and after photos.
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. Also, the RA is waiving until May 31 the RA fee for former canoe club members. As a result, a renewal membership in the canoe club costs $55.37 including tax.
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 |
RACCC Tripping/Camping Training 2021 Update
Hi Everyone,
UPDATED: 12 May 2021
As we are about halfway through the most current lock down and hopefully beyond halfway through the third wave, it is time for an update on the tripping / camping spring training program.
First, we have removed any in-person tripping/camping training at this time. We will revisit this throughout the spring and early summer with hopes we can offer training and certification in late summer or fall time frames.
Second, online virtual training will be conducting on Wednesday evenings from 1900 – 2100 (7-9pm) via zoom. This will follow same format as our winter seminar series and start on 12 May 2021 till 16 Jun 2021.
The following presentations will be given with more information and details to follow on the club website in coming weeks.
Stuff You Can Do: Canoeing during COVID
Click here for a CTV article which includes an interview with the Canoe Club's Mark S. This article is a transcription of a segment which appeared on the May 1 CTV News at 6. The 2 minute segment with Mark appears at the 24 minute mark. You will have to watch a few advertisements before you are allowed to get to that point.
1980 YUKON RIVER TRIP REPORT
While the club is on hold until May 20, it seems like a good idea to reprint a trip report from 1980 courtesy of Mark S. who has finished scanning 30 years of club newsletters.
After much delay I am finally putting down a 'few words on the Yukon River trip. Actually, I did write a report some weeks ago; it ran to almost nine pages, and being a compassionate man, I had not the heart to inflict it upon anyone. Instead I will make a few more general comments about the river, the Chilkoot Pass, and maybe a few words of advice to those who might wish to do the trip in future.
Cool Summer Job
We are looking for:
A candidate with strong paddling skills, and experience in outdoor education /interpretation. The successful candidate will lead big canoe tours in the Rideau Roundtable’s voyageur canoes and be responsible for delivering interpretive materials and for the safety of the participants including our COVID-19 safety guidelines and procedures.
Paddle Canada training will be provided by the employer (Rideau Roundtable) for the candidate to be a certified Big Canoe Intermediate Leader.
The location of tours will be in Gananoque (20 days) and Smiths Falls.
Hourly wage: $15/hour
Hours per week: 35
Job duration: 16 weeks from May 17 (Mon) to August 27 (Fri). We may need some days transferred to the Rideau Paddlefest weekend in the fall.
Interested candidates should contact Max Finkelstein, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 613-729-4004
Club on Hold Until May 20
The Ontario government has announced a stay at home order (https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/61192/ontario-strengthens-enforcement-of-stay-at-home-order).
As a result, the RA Centre is closed until May 20. Click here for more information.
Group club activities will be put on hold in the spirit of the stay at home order. The stay at home order will be in effect until end of day on Wednesday May 20th. The rules for the renting club equipment are still in force. That is to say, only members who have contributed significantly to the club will be allowed to rent club equipment.
The club's virtual seminar series and virtual open house are not affected by this decision.
The RA Centre and the club executive will actively monitor this situation. Any further updates will be communicated via the club’s web page, Facebook site and Canoebytes.
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.
Free canoeing books and maps
We received a collection of canoeing related books, booklets and maps from a member of the community. These items were already offered to the Canadian Canoe Museum, and we are now ready to offer them to RACCC club members.
RACCC Training 2021 Update
Hi Everyone,
Normally around this time of year you would be hearing about all the exciting training and trips
we are preparing for the upcoming season BUT as we all know COVID-19 has placed much of
what we love doing on hold, on pause, or undecided. We did, however, want to reach out to all
of you to provide a snapshot of this past summer’s training program, while also providing an
early heads-up of possible options we are considering for the coming 2021 open water season.
Training during summer 2020 was understandably limited with only two whitewater courses and
one sea kayaking course taking place. In addition, some individual coaching was offered by
select experienced members and instructors.
Looking forward to the 2021 open water season, the club is in the initial stages of planning a
training program, but, similar to last year, the scope and timing of that program will be
dependent on local and provincial public health advisories, as well the club’s COVID-19
protocols, which will be updated during March and April.
It is the club’s hope that a 2021 training program will be possible and, as such, reflecting on last
year’s experience, we are considering the following possible options (Note: more details will be
available before the ‘on-line open house’ that is tentatively scheduled for late April):