Volunteers/Honorary Members

The following are our wonderful volunteers and some highly recognized and honorary members of the CUKC. They are extensively involved in the club, some of whom are even past executives who have poured a lot of time and effort into the CUKC. Their hard work is much appreciated and the club would like to extend its thanks to them for everything they have done.

2011/2012 Official Volunteers

Alberto Martel – albertotato@gmail.com

Mitch Broughton – mitch_broughton@hotmail.com

Wade Lazarus – wadelazarus@hotmail.com

Cheryl McGregor – fairbanks32@hotmail.com

Honorary Members

Former President and co-Founder

Martin founded CUKC with unprecedented support from Justin Hick and Simon DeNure in 2006. We all had one goal in mind: “to provide affordable and accessible kayaking to students of Carleton University”.

I am an outdoor enthusiast and especially passionate about whitewater kayaking and I felt there was no better way to share my passion through the Kayak Club.

We’ve been lucky to have such a dynamic group of students throughout the years. We have proven that a group of students who are passionate about one thing can do something great! We’ve started three years ago with only extra gear kicking around in our garage from our execs and members =D we’ve come a long way since we’ve started! and we still have a lot of work to do.

We are by far the luckiest paddling club in Canada! We have the Rideau River running right through our campus! Hogs Back Falls only 5min up river from the University! Champlain Bridge about 20 minute drive! and the list goes on! It made a lot of sense to start a club right here at Carleton.

Former VP Event

It amazes me how far this club has come from that first ‘club meeting’ at
push button on the Ottawa River.  Getting a club going is a lot of time and
work.  Luckily, we’ve had some amazing members and exec with a lot of
passion for the sport and club.  In a very short time, CUKC has become one
of the biggest university kayaking clubs in Canada!

I know the kayak club was one of the best things I took away from
University.  Now that I have graduated and away from Ottawa, I realize how
lucky we all were to have the club.  Thanks everyone who helped make CUKC
what it is and continue to work hard making it bigger and better.  I
definitely made a lot of friendships over the years at CUKC and have more
good memories than I could count.

Former VP Finance

Jamie joined the club in 2006 as VP Finance and is expected to continue his financing duties through the 2010 academic year. CUKC is able to offer students such great deals in part because of funding from the University of Carleton and prudent management of previous cash flows. In addition to accounting and financial forecast duties Jamie has been actively involved in the instruction of CUKC’s beginner and intermediate members. With ORCA kayak level 1 instructor certification, along with 4 years of related professional work experience Jamie is able to instruct students on skills ranging from the sweep roll to flat-water loops or how to boof off of local waterfalls.

I have chosen to participate in CUKC since my first year at Carleton because what it can offer me as a student and how it allows me to give back to the student community. Through the years academic demands have increased along with time commitments to other extracurricular activities but CUKC has remained the organization that helps balance my life with an outlet for physical, social, and creative energies. Where else can one find James D in his duck painted kayak, or Martin reminding everyone of how absurd French Canadians really are, or hear Jackie comment on how as soon as her student is more than a boat length away they resemble a colourful blob so could I please tell her if that blob flips upside down. CUKC has enough colour to brighten up even the most dull of lifestyles!

Website Designer and Instructor

I worked very closely with Martin to help establish the club within the university and start to construct the framework of the club as we see it today. The vision then was to create an environment for students in the whitewater capital of Ontario to paddle with each other, and I’ve seen the club evolve into it’s current glory… that and we wanted an excuse to paddle more often. I’ve also spent time focusing on the club’s image (logo and website design), and more recently instructing in the pool.

CUKC for me has been a fantastic opportunity to connect with all the kayakers at Carleton University so we can get together and paddle. Whether its helping a group make their first run down the Ottawa river, or waterfall thrill seeking with the experienced/insane regulars I always manage to have a good time. I enjoy the fact that there is lots of interest in whitewater kayaking at Carleton University and its great to see that people are as enthusiastic to learn as I was when I picked up the sport in 2004. I’m confident that the club will continue to grow and prosper for years to come.

Former VP Communications

As the only female member of the CUKC exec, Jacqueline proves that white water kayaking isn’t just for the boys. Paddling has always been a large part of her life both recreationally and formally as an ORCKA registered flat-water canoeing and kayaking instructor for the past 9 years. Jacqueline was bit by the white water bug 3 years ago after coming out to a pool session and has been hooked ever since. As a graduate of Carleton’s Mass Communications program it is fitting that she is the club’s VP Communications. In addition to being an instructor, Jacqueline’s duties include booking space in the Atrium when the club wants to promote events, creating and disseminating advertisements on the club’s behalf and acting as a liaison between the club and CUSA.

Instructor and Super duper flat-water looper

I hope that what I’ve done is progress some of the play boating (white-water and flat) skills of CUKCer’s But more importantly, I know that I’ve made some great friends, and helped some CUKCer’s enjoy some white-water sessions:)

The club is in capable hands. I think it’s doing great and will only get better. One thing I do look forward to is more club gear. It’s great; and rare, for a club to have gear available for people getting into white-water kayaking, especially for trying to learn play boating.

Why am I a part of the club: I seen a post somewhere (possibly the boater board) for a club meeting back in fall of 2007 I think. There were only a handful of people there, but we watched some videos, socialized and made some plans to paddle and get the club rolling. Having just moved to Ottawa it was a perfect way to make some new paddling buddies.