It’s time for municipalities and other government agencies to adopt more progressive policies and to make protection of the river a priority.

We, the undersigned encourage our local leaders to;

1. Preserve and restore the natural features that help protect the health and integrity of our river (shorelines, floodplains and wetlands) and enforce municipal and provincial laws that protect these natural features
2. Support increased funding for wastewater infrastructure improvements: stop dumping untreated sewage into the river
3. Promote public access to the river and monitor/report on water quality at your municipal beaches
4. Share information with the public and encourage water literacy and public participation in decision-making
5. Encourage sustainable development and projects that have a positive impact on our river and our community
6. Make the health of our river and the safety of our drinking water a priority

Its nearing that time of year where we are looking to get rid of as much of our gear to replace it for next season!

Starting August 25th at 4pm until we shut down operation in mid October we will be having a gear sale! We will have kayaks along with corresponding equipment up for grabs to Paddler Co-op members ($5 annual member fee). Here is our price list!!

Price List – plus 13% HST
Pyranha Ina Zone 222, 230,232(2), 242 – $375
Jackson Kayak 2009/2010 Super Hero – $650/$850 (lightly Used)
Jackson Kayak 2009/2010 Hero – $650/$800
Jackson Kayak 2010 Little Hero – $850 (Lightly Used)
Jackson Kayak Super Fun – $650
2 Jackson Kayak 4 Fun’s – $650
Jackson Kayak 2006 Fun – $450
2 Jackson Kayak 2009 Fun’s – $600
Jackson Kayak 2010 Fun – $700
2 Jackson Kayak 2010 2 Fun’s – $700
6 Jackson Kayak Fun 1’s/1.5 – $650
2 Jackson Kayak Dynamic Duos – $1450

Equipment – 25% off if you buy 4 pieces or more!
Kayak Paddles $50-$100 (5 kid paddles available)
Spray Skirts $30-$50
Helmets – $25-$50
PFD’s – $35-$75

To reserve gear or for more information please call 613-758-2772 or email info@paddlerco-op.com

Hope everyone is enjoying the last few weeks of summer!

Paddler Co-op Staff

Inka Reichert

It was my second time out in the river and only my fourth time kayaking – which was pretty amazing for me. To “be safe” in the wildwater, we had to learn the Eskimo role, where you pull yourself out of the water with your paddle after your boat flips over. I learnt the role within two lessons in Mooneys Bay. I was really proud of myself – until I could convince my roommate Steve to take summer lessons too: He was able to roll himself up on the air after only one lesson. But Mat assured me that we both were really talented and that some people never learn it.

I didn’t believe it before I went for the first time in the rapids but you definitely need the Eskimo role a lot. It is quite difficult not to flip over – even crossing only a small rapid. I remember, that I was almost more time under the water then above the water, when I went out on the river the first time with Mat’s crew and some other beginners. But that doesn’t mean that it isn’t fun out there. It is awesome to fight against all the little waves. Everytime, when I was able to keep my head out of the water, I paddled out of the rapid with a big, happy smile.

And besides, I never felt unsafe: Mat and his crew always had an eye on everybody. They know how to fish struggling and anxious beginners, with no breath left to do the roll and have to get out of the boat and swim, out of the water.

I didn’t only enjoy the paddling, I also enjoyed the great Canadian outdoors which we were surrounded by. On my second trip, we camped next to the river and had a fire in the night with some beers and kayaking adventure stories. While we were running down the river, we were the only paddlers on the water – it was such an awesome, relaxed time.

The highlight of the trip was being able to surf one of the standing waves the current forms on several points of the river. I can tell you, it is really hard to get in, but when I surfed it, it was an amazing feeling. I was jealous of the people who were able to stay for minutes in the waves. But that was also inspiring for me to go on – and as I learnt that Germans are big paddlers, I’m sure that I will find some waves in Germany too.

Finally I just want to thank the Carleton Kayak club and its awesome people. Me and my roommate had a great time paddling out in the Ottawa river. Merci beaucoup!!

What’s up CUKCers

Hope everyone’s summer is going well, and that everyone is getting in some good paddling!

If your currently in the Ottawa Region and would like to go paddling email our community @ trips2010@lists.cukc.ca and will get you boating

As much as everyone hates to hear this, summer is starting to wind down, BUT, that means that the club will be up and running again in full flight!!! So here are four quick updates to let you know what we are up to and to invite everyone to some events.

1) Summer lessons: Summer lessons are still running on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Mooney’s Bay Beach at 6pm. They are $20 per person and will help new paddlers get themselves onto the water and learn basic paddling skills and learn how to roll. If you are interested email events@cukc.ca

2) 7 Sisters Trip: For the first time as a club, we will be running a Seven Sisters trip. If you don’t know what the seven sisters are: well they are a series of 7 waterfalls of varying heights on the Rouge River in Quebec. The trip will be taking place during the weekend of August 21st and 22nd. This trip will be for ADVANCE paddlers only. Unfortunately we cannot take any beginners as the risks associated with the river would be too great. Anyone who is interested please email events@cukc.ca and we will keep you in the loop for planning. For more background info about the sisters.http://www.liquidlore.com/quebec/rouge/7sisters.html

3) King of the Clubs: The second annual King of the Clubs weekend will be held again at the Ottawa River during the weekend of September 4th and 5th with the competition taking place on the Sunday.This is a really fun event with many other paddling clubs from across Ontario and is for all skill levels. So if you want to come out and have a great time fill out our online form . For more info please see our event page ‘King of the Clubs“.

4) CUKC Fall Trip: Last but not least, CUKC will be holding its annual Fall Trip to the Ottawa River. This is a whole weekend event and will be taking place September 24th, 25th and 26th. Last year we had a great turn out and we are hoping for another great trip. This trip is again for any skill level, we especially encourage beginners, and we will be hosting world class instructors again for all the beginners on the trip. So if you want to come out and have a great time fill out our online form . For more info please see our event page ‘CUKC Weekend on the Ottawa River“.

Other than that, enjoy the rest of your summer! And CUKC wishes you happy paddling.

Your CUKC exec.

Martin Cayouette, Matt Tasson, Quinn Richardson, and Stephen Slipp

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