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.
Note that a new listing for Nanook Expeditions has been added on August 6.
Ontario Covid Stage 3
Ontario is entering the stage 3 of the COVID reopening protocols on Friday July 16, 2021.
The only difference is that is relevant to the club is that club trips and events can have as many as 100 people (up from 25).
All other protocos in the attached document remain in effect.
Stage 2 COVID Protocols June 30, 2021
The club's COVID protocols (attached) have been updated to reflect the more of Ontario going to stage 2 precautions. The key changes are:
- Group limits have been expanded to 25 people (outdoors).
- There are no restrictions on who can share boats as long as they maintain a 2-metre distance.
- Meals can be shared as long as certain precautions are followed.
The following clarifications have been added:
- Vehicles with more than 2 rows of seating can carry one person per row of seating (masks and open windows required).
- Meetings at the boathouse must be held outside. This is to permit distancing when others are doing inventory or getting gear.
Vaccinations
Pursuant to direction received from Ottawa Public Health, people with one or two vaccinations must follow the same rules are people who have not been vaccinated. There have been media reports that the government of Ontario is preparing guidance for people who have been vaccinated. When there are rules in place that apply to people who have been vaccinated, the club will update these procotols to reflect the new rules.
Individual Risk Tollerance
The attached COVID protocols provide the minimum rules that must be followed. Club members, including trip leaders, are free to require additional precautions if they feel that they are warranted. These precautions must be communicated as part of the trip planning process.
 COVID Screening Questionnaire.pdf | [ ] | 93 kB |
| RACCC Protocols June 30, 2021 | [ ] | 147 kB |
Public Access Project, OTTAWA RIVER
UPDATE: See attachment below for letter sent by the canoe club to Mayor Moore ot the Township of Whitewater Region.
From the Ottawa River Runners:
As many of you may have heard, Whitewater Ontario (WO) has begun a project with the goal of securing access to a public take out below the Rocher Fendu (whitewater) section of the Ottawa River. But, in order to do this, they need our help!
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.
Tay Canal to Beveridges Locks
Sunday, June 20 2021 was a perfect day to be on the water and we had an expert leading us on Tay Canal from Perth to Upper Beveridges Locks. Mark S. welcomed a group of old-timers and new members, a nice mix of solo, tandem and kayak paddlers.
The Tay Canal is the portion of the Tay River providing a connection between the town of Perth and the Rideau Canal at Beveridge Bay on Lower Rideau Lake. The canal is 9.8 km in length and is run today by Parks Canada as part of their Rideau Canal operations. It has an interesting history of entrepreneurial ambitions of Perth 19th century residents, who wanted a navigable connection from Perth to the Rideau and somewhat succeeded after two attempts. For a time, the canal from the Beveridges Locks to Perth was known as "Haggart's Ditch" - Wikipedia has a good entry on the topic.
Executive Meeting Minutes June 10th 2021
Log in to see minutes from the virtual meeting of the executive on June 10th, 2021.
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 2670.
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.
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.
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.
Executive Meeting Minutes May 18th 2021
Log in to see minutes from the virtual meeting of the executive on May 18th, 2021.