Annual General Meeting
Wednesday November 18 2020 7-9pm
Dear RACCC Members,
With the approach of fall, it is time to start planning for the Annual General Meeting (AGM). As with many club-related activities this year, adjustments are necessary due to the ongoing challenges associated with COVID. Consequently, the RACCC’s 2020 AGM will be a virtual meeting to be hosted using the Zoom platform on Wednesday November 18th, 2020 from 7 to 9 pm.
To ensure that the virtual AGM unfolds as smoothly as possible, the Executive requests that members who wish to participate in the AGM contact Mark S by Wednesday November 11th, 2020. They will then be provided with instructions on how to join the meeting.
Note, as part of this year’s AGM, time will be allocated in the agenda to review the club’s COVID protocols and seek feedback from the membership. As well, if you should have any topics to address, please contact Mark S.
In preparation for the AGM, I invite all club members to consider serving on the 2020/2021 club executive. If you are interested, please contact Karen H.
Gatineau Park Winter Passes
Once again canoe club members are eligible for discounts for Gatineau Park winter passes. The discount is only available to current club members.
Kilmarnock to Merrickville
On October 25 a group of six club paddlers went on an "arctic expedition" from Kilmarnock Lockstation to Merrickville community beach and back - total distance about 22 km. Karen H. was expertly leading Salome S., Mark S., Paul H., Anatoly C. and Joanna D.
We expected cold air and cold water and dressed accordingly. All the way to Merrickville we paddled through a mostly wide and shallow, marshy part of Rideau River against an unpleasant chilly breeze. We were really looking forward to returning with a gale at our backs, but instead the wind died in the afternoon. Despite paddling by the Rideau Bird Sanctuary, we saw few birds, apart from a magnificent blue heron.
Our lunch stop on the beach was short, and paddling back was as energetic as in the morning. We made the whole distance in record time and headed to Stella Luna in Merrickville for celebratory hot chocolate and ... ice cream. We are all proud of having been part of what was likely the last trip of the season and of stretching the paddling season so far into the fall.
Submitted by Joanna (click Read More for photos)
Manotick to Kars
On October 17th, Karen H. led a group of six from the Manotick Municipal Boat Launch to the Kars Recreation Area and back, approximately 12 km each way. The group was composed of Anatoly C., Joanna D., Salome S., Jane M., Mark S., Francine L., and Karen H. as the leader.
The river was calm and the skies were blue as we departed from the boat launch in Manotick. The river remained calm most of the day except for a few windy spots, mainly as we got closer to Kars and on the way back. The skies displayed a mixture of sun and clouds throughout the day.
South Nation River
Oct. 16, 2020
Four club members and one guest met at the end of Lacroix Road near Casselman at 10:30 am. After a night of rain, the sky was heavily overcast. It was cool (9 degrees Celcius) but no rain fell. We were quickly on the water and paddled to the right, towards Casselman. The river is fairly wide but shallow, and curves back and forth between steep, high banks of silt and clay. Depending on the water level, the shoreline can be slippery but it caused us no difficulty. We were dressed in many layers which we soon removed as we warmed up.
Poonamalie
At 10am October 11, 2020 a well-bundled group of 8 club paddlers in 3 tandem canoes and 2 kayaks set off from the Poonamalie lock station, part of the Rideau canal system. It was a chilly 4 degrees Celsius but calm.
We paddled leisurely upstream, past several friendly homes on Bacchus Island, then west past the extensive cattail marshes on the north shore of Lower Rideau Lake.
Shortly after noon we reached the Tay River. The docks, ramp, lawn, picnic table, and washroom at the lower Beveridge lock were perfect for a lunch stop. There is a nice 5 minute walk to the upper Beveridge lock, with several historical panels and a view up the Tay River canal. By then, the temperature had risen to a balmy 9 degrees, warm enough to shed a layer of clothing.
Mississippi River - Pakenham to Blakeney
On October 3rd, our small group ventured out to the Mississippi River at Pakenham to enjoy a paddle up to Blakeney (and back). The group was composed of Jame M. (a Club veteran), two new members - April S. and Francine L. - as well as Paul H. as leader.
We paddled south past the trailer park and ventured through the large concrete culvert up Glen (or Indian) Creek) for a short distance. The colours were beautiful with a mix of green coniferous and muti-coloured maple trees along the route. The rapids at Blakeney provided a pretty spot for lunch.
Although the skies threatened rain frequently during the day, we had at most a few spits of rain. With virtually no wind and cool but comfortable temperatures, paddling conditions were almost ideal (no sunblock and no bugs). We capped off the day with ice cream at Scoops in Pakenham.
Gracefield Camp Volunteer Day Report
Since 2009 the canoe club has held canoeing weekends at Gracefield Christian Camp near Gracefield, Quebec. It is a beautiful area to visit. We have enjoyed easy availability and low costs. We have had access to camp beaches, their archery range, many trails and the Turtle Rock picnic spot. The Second Beach campsite feels like a wilderness area but it is within reach of many amenities new campers sometimes need, like electricity, a phone, fridge, shower, dryer or their car. Sometimes we used camp canoes, barrels, or the services of a lifeguard, or other camp staff. The camp has delivered milk, fresh vegetables, mail and a variety of other things needed to make canoeing families comfortable.
One good turn deserves another, so on September 25 six strong canoe club volunteers spent a day improving the Second Beach campsite by removing dead trees and creating firewood. Efficient work produced many stacks of firewood. We also enjoyed a brief but wonderful paddle on Lac Castor Blanc. A big "thank you" to our capable canoe club volunteers!
Executive Meeting Minutes 2020-09-16
Log on to see the minutes of the virtual executive meeting held September 16, 2020.
Updates to COVID-19 Protocols for RACCC
September 26, 2020
The club executive reviewed the Covid rules and made 3 changes. The changes allow limited carpooling, and update the requirements for returning and disinfecting equipment. The latest version of the Covid rules is here.
Burnstown Trip Sept. 16 2020
On Wed. Sept. 16th 2020 we drove for about one hour to arrive at Burnstown Beach by 9:30 am. There were no crowds. Four club members headed south on the Madawaska River as far as the Springtown bridge. The weather was clear and the temperature moderate. The water was still reasonably warm. We saw rolling hills on either side of the river and some cottages on the west side. We were challenged with a head wind of about 35 km/hr but made steady progress. We turned around at the bridge and enjoyed a tail wind. Our on-water leader (Catherine) pointed out our options for stopping spots. We ate our lunches where Kippens Creek meets the Madawaska. We noticed white turtlehead flowers along the shore and lots of chanterelle mushrooms as well as other mushrooms. We appreciated having a botanist along! After lunch we paddled up Kippens Creek. A road crosses the creek and we found two culverts just large enough to allow us through. Some decided to paddle upstream as far as possible. It was very pretty. We returned through the culvert to Burnstown Beach arriving about 3 pm. We had paddled just under 16 km in five hours. Thanks to all for the wonderful team effort!
Mississippi R:Pakenham to Blakeney Rapids
September 6, 2020
A glorious sunny day greeted 8 happy RACCC paddlers: 3 canoes and 2 kayaks for our day trip on the Mississippi River, from the Pakenham Beach upstream to Blakeney Rapids and return. By 10:00 AM we paddled away from the sandy beach, upstream where the Mississippi flows under a railroad bridge and then winds through a wooded valley. There are a few cottages, a trailer camp and some farms along the way.
After about 2 hours and 9 kms of calm flat water and easy upstream paddling we arrived at the unexpectedly pretty Blakeney Rapids gently cascading and sparkling in the sun. The Nepean sandstone cuts across the river valley here, creating several channels and islands with beautiful waterfalls and rapids. The smooth granite rocks on shore made a fine place for our picnic lunch and for enjoying each other’s good company and stories. There were several families with the same thought of enjoying the enticing spot, making it a bit busy. But everyone was enjoying themselves and we all made space for each other.
Read more: Mississippi River:Pakenham to Blakeney Rapids 2020