Whitewater Racing on the Petawawa River

The Petawawa River Hell or High Water Weekend is back, bigger and better than last year… and this time everyone has a chance to participate. The 2010 festival will be held the weekend of May1, and features the Ottawa Valley Rafting Championships, pitting local teams of amateurs or professionals against each other in an all out race. The top three teams will advance to a head-to-head combat style challenge to claim the title. This is one race not to be missed.

“HOHW for 2010 is really growing. We had a good crowd out last year, and so we’re trying to build on that,” says Philip Kompass, one of the festival organizers. “The Ottawa Valley Raft Championships are a chance for any interested person to get in a raft – or make their own team – and join in the fun. We’ve arrange with Esprit rafting to supply all the equipment and a guide. All you need to do is paddle!”

Even more importantly, the event will be raising money for two local causes close to the hearts of those in the Ottawa Valley: Soldier On, a charity that works to help injured CF members get back on their feet; and Whitewater Ontario, who will use the money to help keep Ontario’s rivers clean, safe and accessible.

“Both of those causes are very worthwhile, and the day will be heaps of fun. Esprit will be there to keep you warm and safe, so get a team together and come out and enjoy the river while you can! You can check it out, or register online through www.five2nine.ca or www.petawawariverrats.com.”

The other components of Hello or High Water Festival has also grown; several of the local professional kayakers will be competing as well as steeping up to offer free clinics; there will be a flatwater and touring kayak boat demo session for those who like the calmer waters, as well as freestyle demonstrations (surfing and tricks on a wave) and an expedition to tackle the even more difficult rapids of the Upper Petawawa River in Algonquin Park.

And, the crown jewel, will again be the actual kayak race, in which over 50 boats are expected to take to the rapids of the Petawawa.

“Even if you prefer to stay on ‘terra firma’ there is plenty to take part in this year. We’ve got a photo shootout (free entry) as well and a dinner, tons of prizes, videos and a live band on Saturday night. It’s early May in the Ottawa Valley; do you really have something better to do? Come on out and enjoy yourself!”

The athletes, volunteers and organizers are warmly welcoming all spectators, paddlers or interested people to come down to the river on May 1. Paddlers will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about the river, the sport or the race.

With river will be roaring with spring melt water when over 75 whitewater kayakers, canoeists, amateur raft teams and the local rafting companies are expected to tackle the whitewater rapids of the Petawawa River in the 2^nd Annual Come Hell or High Water Race on May 1, 2010.

Known in the paddling community as "The Town Run" of the Petawawa, paddlers will race the clock, and each other, competing for the top spot. The racers will launch into river just above the first - and largest - rapid known as Railroad (found off of Portage Rd. on Wilson Ave) and will cross the finish at Catwalk Rapid (Centennial Park, below City Hall) covering roughly one-kilometre of Class III and IV rapids in approximately five minutes.

"The Petawawa River is an absolute gem of a river," explains Philip Kompass, who along with Mike Crouzat are co-organizing this year’s event. "With the threat of the river being dammed and diverted in the next few years, this was an ideal opportunity to showcase the sport and the river!"

"The waves in Railroad and Lovers' can get just as big as those on the Ottawa. Couple that with more technical rapids, and I am sure both the racers and the spectators will be in for an entertaining afternoon."

The Ottawa Valley Raft Championships will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by the Hell or High Water Race at 1:30 pm. Throughout the day there will be demos, clinics, activities and some of the local outdoors shops on hand. There are plenty of spots to view the action, as the river follows the Millennium Trail walking path right in the heart of town, but the bulk of the activity will take place at Centennial Park (Catwalk).

But the Petawawa River is not just for experienced paddlers. It has whitewater challenges for paddlers of all abilities. Once the spring melt begins to taper off, beginners and intermediates can develop their skills in the warm waters of Catwalk Pool and the easier rapids, like Golf Course or Big Eddy. There is an active kayak club and the cost to join, take lessons or use the equipment is very reasonable.

"The Petawawa River is a kayaker's dream, with warm water, a wide range of both technical and easy rapids, and a long season; it would be a real shame to lose it," explains Mike Crouzat. "It is such rare thing to find a river of this quality, right in town; so easily accessible for everyone."

The race is all in good fun, but with the number of world-class rivers, and the number of world-class caliber kayakers and canoeists found in Renfrew County, (including at least one Olympian) you can bet that this will be a very competitive race.

"Petawawa has so much to offer in terms of outdoor recreation," adds Crouzat. "They are really supportive of this event, and hopefully we can spread the word about the great whitewater, and in fact all kinds of other recreational opportunities as well, that exist here in Petawawa and the Upper Ottawa Valley.

"If you have ever considered taking up the sport, this event is not to be missed. All the details are on www.five2nine.ca and www.petawawariverrats.com. I hope to have a great crowd come out."

If you are interested in taking up the sport, or would like more information on kayaking on the Petawawa River check out www.petawawariverrats.com.

For more information, please contact Philip Kompass ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or check out the Facebook page.