Forward Strokes 2010

Membership Committee

Director: Laura Duncan

1.  Insurance:

We are working on building our  membership benefits package to include clear guidelines in areas such as sanctioned events being expanded to include river running with certified 'river leaders'.

2.  Fees:

We will leave current membership fees as they are and concentrate on encouraging membership in other ways and increasing WO 'presence'.

3. Free Membership for Intro Courses Offered by Commercial Members:

 This has been discussed by both the Membership and Instructor committees. Progress is being made and hopefully we will have something in place this year.

4. Increase ‘WO’ Presence:

We are exploring strategies to increase the WO 'presence' to members and thinking about a long term plan. River access signage is a recent example of one such strategy. We will ask members about access issues and find people willing to do some of the negotiating while working in conjunction with our Influence committee. Promotional materials like t-shirts, stickers and other merchandise are also needed. Our new Marketing committee will work with all committees on this. We would like to have stickers ready and t-shirts in time for the summer.

5. Membership Drive:

We are looking at the possibility of membership drive and are exploring at ideas about how to do so - e.g. making use of Facebook; providing support for new kayakers. We will also look at what our clubs have done e.g. GKC.  We may need a volunteer to update the WO Facebook page with the updates.

6. Club Contacts:

We need to update our list of Club Contacts as not all contacts appear to be active. We want to make sure messages are getting through to the right person.

7. Website:

We plan to expand benefits section of the website to be clearer about the benefits and what the insurance means. This is a work in progress.

8. Volunteer Opportunities:

The membership survey indicated that many people would be willing to volunteer for WO. We need to find some opportunities for people to volunteer, e.g. keeping river Wiki up-to-date, river access negotiations, Facebook page.

9. River Wiki:

We need to approach clubs about submitting content for the Wiki from their local areas. The Wiki needs to gain some momentum and we need to find ways to get more content on it.

10. River Rescue Course:

As part of a membership benefit, we hope to explore a WO rescue course for WO club members at the Gull. If this is a success, we need to think about running a yearly course to encourage safe practices among WO clubs. Eventually perhaps this could be combined with WO /CKC river leader certification.

Minden Wild Water Preserve Committee

Director:  John Slot

1.  Picnic Tables:

This is generally a maintenance item. Some tables will need repair and some may need replacement. The newer, wood/steel combo seems to be the way to go and will cost approximately $200 each. A complete inventory should be undertaken on the numbers that can be repaired, the number to be scrapped, and the number we can reasonably replace with new e.g. 2-3 yearly. Repairs may be done by summer students.

2. Washrooms:

The sinks, counter and mirrors are badly worn and showing age. There can be substantial cost depending on how much is done this year. New stainless steel sinks/counter tops and mirrors would be a great start on the downstairs washrooms. We are looking into the costs now. We are suggesting the upstairs be seriously done as well especially the women’s’ washroom.  

3. Bridge:

We are exploring some ideas about the bridge and the idea for a viewing platform instead which has great merit, especially in light of the pending Pan Am games. If so we would like to see external funds for that project. If we proceed ourselves at this time, we are probably looking at + $1500 for a small viewing platform that could also be used for race judging. In the interim, we may need to consider demolishing the bridge and not replace it.  We will also explore another option which is to assess its overall safety and do the necessary repairs.

4. Painting:

All of our out-buildings require painting and preferably all the same colour.  This can be done by our summer student.

5. Shoreline Rehabilitation (take-out):

This is an important project that will require careful planning and consideration for the cost to WO e.g. labour, equipment. An offer has been received for the donation of materials (stone).

6. Access Recognition Signs:

Three have been ordered at a cost of $5 each plus tax.

7. Road Directional Signage:

This is a great idea and we recommend that we proceed with the application now in order to have them for next year. There will be an annual cost of $160.  Signs should have a generic paddling and camping symbol.

8. Water System:

A UV system was suggested. Prudence would say “leave well enough alone” especially since there have been no problems and the water is tested on a regular basis. The UV system has a high cost. We will continue with standard warning signs.

9. Fireplace:

Currently our fireplace is not up to building code standard. The point was made about high cost of repair (+$1000) versus the amount of usage. We recommend the doors be padlocked for now to make it inoperative.

10. Outdoor Shower(s):

We are exploring this and taking into consideration of our membership survey result of 21 % in favour of showers. There are definitely pros and cons. They can be environmentally friendly, with low maintenance and at low cost, but they would be more functional than fancy (use of cedar boards, pea gravel floor, copper piping). 

11. Septic & privie pump-out:

This is a priority maintenance item which will cost around +$300.  

12. Patio Stones:

Relaying of stones around the RPC is a definite enhancement to the overall appearance and safety factor. They are unsightly, create a lot of tracked dirt into the washrooms and upstairs, are hazardous (uplifted) and cause pooling of water under the foundation.  A load of screened limestone/sand, impermeable ground cloth and some brute strength is required. 

13. Upgrade Campsites:

A number of sites have poor locations for tents (i.e. protruding roots/rocks, low lying). We’ll need to assess all sites and determine which need fill (course sand?). We plan to do this either at the spring cleanup or leave for a summer student to do. Several yards of fill will be required and will cost approximately $200-300.

Instructor Committee

Director:  Claudia van Wijk

1. Launch of the new CKC Whitewater Kayak Instructor Program – L2I2

 This program will be administered through Whitewater Ontario.  WO will receive a $120 certification fee which is valid for 3 years per instructor candidate.  The current L2I2 program manual will be electronically sent for instructor candidates to print themselves. Whitewater Ontario retains $30 of the $120, submitting $90/instructor to CKC.

2. Instructor Courses - Recertification

Recertification will be administered through Whitewater Ontario.  Instructor courses will be administered by the Learning Facilitator and Host organization. 

A Western Recertification and MLF standardization clinic was held April 29-May 02, in Kananasakis, AB at which Claudia Van Wijk attended.

Two Eastern Recertification Courses will be held in Ontario this year:

# 1 – May 28-30, 2010 at MKC

# 2 – Sept 24-26, 2010 at Minden Wild Water Preserve within the Paddle Canada Instructor Symposium

 3. New Instructor Courses will be coordinated by Claudia van Wijk.

4. Instructor Newsletter

Jeff Jackson will be developing an Instructor Newsletter. The initial version will be an invitation to the Eastern Recertification clinics.  We hope this project will become a national forum for instructors to communicate across the country. 

5. Instructor Pro Deals

 Ryan Whetung will be contacting manufacturers to offer special pricing for CKC Instructors. 

6. Whitewater Ontario Website 

Watch for the arrival of a dedicated Kayak Instructor page on the Whitewater Ontario website and an Instructor Course Calendar. A Learn to Kayak page will be coordinated by Paul Sevcik with WO commercial members listed, with link to their website for course information.

7. Instructor Ball Caps

Caps embroidered with CKC WHITEWATER KAYAK INSTRUCTOR are being purchased with costs covered by CKC.

8. Communication

Regular announcements will be made on the WO website for Instructors as well as relevant press releases sent to Rapid Magazine, Paddling Life, Kayak Session, CKC, and Paddle Canada.

Further information about other projects, goals, and initiatives from other committees will be throughout the paddling season.

J. Tayler

July 5, 2010  

WHITEWATER ONTARIO RECEIVES DONATION FROM HOHW

Whitewater Ontario was the recent recipient of a generous donation from the Hell or High Water organizers to support river access issues. The Hell or High Water event on the Petawawa River was a huge success both this year and last year and draws attention to the river access issues that the river faces. We would like to thank the organizers of this event and for the generous donation and commend them for their hard work for such a worthy cause. For more information on the event check out their website: http://www.liquidlore.com/hohw/race.html

But the hard work continues....

The HOHW organizers are planning to set up a booth at the forthcoming Canada Day celebrations in Petawawa to raise public awareness of the proposed damming of the river and collect signatures for a petition. They extend an invitation to all Whitewater Ontario members in the Petawawa area to drop by the booth and sign the petition. Please drop in and help with this worthy cause.

GULLFEST 2010 – NOT THIS YEAR

As most Whitewater Ontario members are aware, the 2010 version of GullFest has been cancelled due to lower than expected water levels. Let’s hope for a strong and robust return in 2011.

 With minimal snow fall this winter, and no precipitation in March, April or May, water systems are extremely low across the province, but good paddling is still to be found on the following whitewater runs:

 Madawaska River:

Palmer Rapids - has become a popular destination this summer with it being the narrowest section along the 240km Madawaska River.  Present flows are 25cms, but weekly updates can be found at MKC's gauge page:  http://www.owl-mkc.ca/gauge_page.htm

 Middle Madawaska - flows are planned for Tuesday through Thursdays to support downstream recreational needs.   

 Lower Madawaska River (aka Snake rapids) - the same flow going through the Palmer Rapids Dam runs through this section of the Madawaska River and is a great day trip for Novice to Intermediate whitewater paddlers.  The take-out at Buck Bay has been expanded and the road re-built thanks to the support of numerous river users and a valuable grant from MEC.  Find out more at:  Don't Mess with the Mad: http://www.boundlessadventures.org/mad/index.html

 Ottawa River:

The water on the Ottawa is warm and at amazing summer levels. Check the levels on the OWL gauge:  http://www.owl-mkc.ca/gauge_page.htm

INSTRUCTOR UPDATE

 We are in the process of organizing two new L2I2 courses for OKS and Paddler Co-op. Watch for dates in July and August. The next Leader / Instructor courses are scheduled for:

 Leader2 - July 30/31

Leader2/Instructor2 - July 30-August 2

 More information is available on the WO website:  http://www.whitewaterontario.ca/programs/instructor/instructor-certification-course-dates.html 

 Just click on the Instructor Certification link.

MEMBERSHIP

 We have been working together with the website team to get our club information updated and to identify those clubs which offer Learn 2 Kayak programs so that visitors to the website can see the various avenues into paddling available - commercial members, clubs, intro courses etc. If you are part of a club and your information is not up on this page (http://www.whitewaterontario.ca/community/clubs.html), encourage your club executive to contact Donna to get the information posted.

INSURANCE FAQ’S POSTED ON WEBSITE

 Details of the new Whitewater Ontario insurance policy have been posted on the WO web site. This has important details for members and for those participating in sanctioned events. The documents can be accessed from the main page under PROGRAMS -> INSURANCE.  Please feel free to forward any questions you might have to Steve Pomeroy ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

MINDEN WILD WATER PRESERVE

 Come visit the Preserve this summer and see the changes and look to the property. The long awaited outdoor shower for the Preserve is nearing completion! The building has a fresh appearance thanks to Connor who patched and painted the interior. Screen doors on the washrooms will now keep the bugs out although this has been a lean year for the pesky critters.

Members of the Preserve Committee are keeping up the tradition of introducing new kayakers to the sport by holding Opportunities for Youth Paddling Camp July 10-11. Come out and help or just enjoy the river and camping.

As a reminder to all campers, please do not remove the fire pits from their current locations as it leaves a mess and kills vegetation over a large area.

WEBSITE FEEDBACK

Whitewater Ontario recently received this email from member David Walker:

Hi:

 I was just looking at the Whitewater Ontario website.  I just thought that I'd check it to see if there was anything new.  I don't do that often because in the past nothing much seemed to change and the info was usually out of date.  Usually, the Boatwerks Boaterboard seems to be the place to keep up with what is going on in the paddling community. Well I got quite a surprise this time!  Lots of new, up to date information.  Some one has been putting a lot of hard work into the site and I just want to let them know that I appreciate it.  Well done!  I'm sending an email to rest of my club to tell them to check it out.

 Dave Walker

President, Georgian Bay Kayak Club 

 *Thank you Dave for taking the time to let us know what you think.

 
NATIONALS VOLUNTEERS

We have had a great response from members who are able to volunteer at the upcoming Canadian National Whitewater Slalom Championships being held at the Gull July 31- August 1. Contact Jim Tayler ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and Doug Corkery ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) if you think you may be able to help out that weekend.

JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – FOIX, FRANCE

Three Whitewater Ontario slalom paddlers who are members of our National Junior A team are now in Foix, France preparing for the 2010 Junior World Championships. Michael Tayler (K1), Rachael Penman (K1W) and Alexandra McGee (C1W) are proudly representing Canada at this important international competition and we wish them all the best when competition gets underway July 10^th.

MARKETING AND PROMOTION: A STICKY SITUATION

In the next few weeks we will be mailing out our newly minted Whitewater Ontario stickers that will look great on your boat. To keep mailing costs to a minimum we are sending the stickers to our clubs and commercial members for distribution. If you have an individual membership and are not affiliated with a member club just email Donna at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we will do our best to get some stickers sent out to you.

We are also in the process of ordering some new Whitewater Ontario long and short sleeved shirts. We will have them at the Nationals on the August long weekend and plan to keep a supply at the Gull. We are not quite ready to take orders but as we move through this first step we will identify ways to increase distribution.

 Have a great summer on the water!

Dear Whitewater Ontario members:

In our June 5th update, it was indicated that we are forming an ad hoc committee to develop a plan for the WO Fleet currently stored at the Preserve. The committee will make a recommendation to the WO Board later in the fall.

I have asked Russ Duhaime to chair this committee. Russ will bring a thoughtful, balanced approach to the discussion and deal with the multiple perspectives that will be presented.

We are looking at a maximum of 8 participants on the committee (plus Russ) that we hope will represent the diversity of our organization. As chair,  Russ will also assess whether there is need to increase the size of the committee in order to complete its task. There is a distinct possibility that not all interested members will be on the active committee but there will be an opportunity for input by the membership in a method that will be determined by the committee. Steve Pomeroy will serve as an executive contact to provide information and support but will serve in an advisory capacity only. He is not included in the count.

If you are interested in serving on this committee please express your interest in an email directly to Russ ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Upon achieving our goal of eight committee members, Russ will be in contact and provide the date for the first teleconference.  Russ will also send out a note indicating the composition of this ad hoc committee to our membership.

We value your interest, support, and commitment to Whitewater Ontario. Here is a great chance to get involved with your organization.

Good luck!

Jim Tayler
President
Whitewater Ontario

I also hope this update is helpful. We want to see it evolve into a regular form of communication with our members. Your suggestions are welcome.  Thanks, Jim NEWS AND COMMITTEE UPDATES FORWARD STROKES 2010

Over the past several months our committees have been developing plans for this year’s paddling season as part of the 2010 version of our Strategic Plan “Forward Strokes”.  As this plan continues to evolve and develop, our organizational focus increases, as does our ability to support the paddling community.  In the coming days we will be posting an updated working copy of Forward Strokes on our website with the priorities listed for a number of our committees. It is not a complete document as our committees are in various stages of development and progress. Some of the goals listed have actually already been achieved.

INTRODUCTORY KAYAK COURSES

Earlier this spring the board of Whitewater Ontario accepted the recommendation from the Instruction Committee to formally discontinue the Introductory Kayak course historically held at the Gull. While it is understood that WO has offered these intro courses for many years, we have decided to refocus our time and energy towards CKC’s National Instructor Certification Program in which we are already providing substantial leadership and involvement. We will be looking at ways Whitewater Ontario can still support introductory programming that is already conducted by our clubs and commercial members – and help strengthen their participation. This will take some time to develop with the input of those groups who are providing these courses. There are multiple perspectives on the Intro Courses and this has been a discussion point over the past few years. Please read the document on the website that contains more information about this decision.

THE FLEET

What to do about the Whitewater Ontario Boat Fleet currently stored at the Preserve has also been a question raised over the past few years. In order to make the best possible decision, it was decided by the board in a teleconference in the spring that an ad hoc committee needs to be formed with representation from our working committees and membership. The committee will ultimately make a recommendation to the board as to the future of the fleet but after a process that includes but is not limited to a) a full inventory and updated status report of the fleet’s current condition b) a means of gaining input from our membership c) an assessment of the fleet’s real value.  Please stay tuned for information about the formation of the committee and tentative timelines. A recommendation is not expected until the fall as to give the committee time to properly address the question.

COMPETITION

Whitewater Ontario has reason to be proud of its slalom athletes who recently competed in the Junior and Senior National Team Trials. Ontario athletes will make a strong presence on both teams. Particular congratulations go out to John Hastings who dislodged 5 time Olympian David Ford as Canada’s top KI boat. The Senior Team begins competition for this year’s World Cups in Prague while the Junior National Team will attend the World Championships in Foix, France. Congratulations to Ontario athletes John Hastings (K1), Cam Smedley (C1), Jamie/Adam Cutts (C2), and Sarah Boudens (K1W) for making the National Senior A Team. Kathleen Tayler (K1W) and Thea Froelich (K1W) are members of our Senior B Team. Michael Tayler (K1), Rachel Penman (K1W), and Alexandra McGee (C1W) were successful in making our National Junior A team.

Full team trials results are available on the CKC website:

http://www.canoekayak.ca/english/newsentry/view/94

For those of you interested in getting a good sense of the new artificial course at Rutherford Creek BC, an excellent video of one of John’s runs is available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZuGVDy_1sg

Good luck to all our slalom athletes this coming season. Please remember that Whitewater Ontario and the Ottawa River Runners are co-hosting the Canadian National Slalom Championships at the Gull July 31-August 1.  Also due to a number of complications, the Andrew Westlake Memorial Race scheduled for June 13^th has been now re-scheduled to take place as part of the Canadian National Whitewater Championships on July 31^st at the Gull River. Registration information will be out shortly through Whitewater Ontario and the Ottawa River Runners.

GULL FEST

Gull Fest 2010 will be taking place this year on July 3-4 on the Gull River in Minden.
We will be hosting 2 events over two days. We will have a boater cross on Saturday and a Rodeo on Sunday. There will be other events taking place on the Saturday after the Boater Cross. Camping will be available at the MWWP camp ground.

Cost is $15 for non members of WO and $10 for members.

For race categories, details, and to register email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

INSTRUCTOR

The CKC Whitewater Kayak Instructor Program was launched in Ontario last weekend at MKC - with a recertification course that brought 24 instructors from across the province to the Madawaska for their L2I2.  The course was phenomenally received. 

From June 3-6th, the first Leader/Instructor course in Canada will roll out for paddlers needing, or wanting to be, certified under this new national program at the Madawaska Kanu Centre.  This is a fantastic opportunity for clubs to receive professional training for its Trip Leaders, which can then bring about club insurance on club listed trips lead by certified leaders. 

Claudia Van Wijk, our Director of the Instruction Committee, is also an MLF (Master Learning Facilitator) and has been a big support to Alberta’s Chuck Lee who has been the main force behind this ‘national dream'! Thanks to the recent restructuring of the sport model in Canada, the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) has identified the need to focus on the recreational and community levels of Sport - to meet the urgent need of building health and athletic goals in our country’s future.  Our big dream - that of CKC-Whitewater - is to see a fleet of kayaks in every city pool across our nation by 2020!  This is possible through the support of Health Canada and Sports Canada.   Climb aboard...and join the momentum!  Our motto is”More Bums in Boats ".

MINDEN WILD WATER PRESERVE

Bad news and good news for the MWWP.

First, El Nino has been both kind and unkind to us this past winter. Whether you are a believer or not in global warming - climate change, the fact remains that at the time of this writing we are barely getting water in the Gull and for that matter the entire Trent Severn system and elsewhere in Southern Ontario is dry, dry, dry. 

Yes, this is Otter slide in early May!

The good news is that the property is in GREAT shape for the start of the summer paddling/camping season. The annual spring clean-up was a huge success. Thank you to all who contributed! An inspection of the buildings and picnic tables however is a different story. We have planned a pretty active maintenance program this year including repair and replacement of tables, outbuilding painting, repair of the ‘kissing bridge’ and hopefully new sinks, and counter top and mirrors in the washrooms and possibly an outdoor shower!

You will notice a major facelift around the Roger Parson’s Centre, namely: leveling of the patio stones, a screened in porch thanks to AOB (Neal 2 Ross) and newly repaired/painted upstairs thanks to Connor Duhaime our summer student. Great job, guys. You will also see a few strategically placed signs along the river (both sides of take-out/Horseshoe Lake Rd. parking lot). They acknowledge the participation of Orillia Power and the Twp. of Minden in granting access to the Gull and reinforcing the message that access is a privilege and not a right.

In mid May, we gave a tour of the preserve and environs to two members of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am group. They were suitably impressed with our facilities! J

The MWWP Committee is anxious to work with WO members this year and to get your feedback on how we can improve the services to your park and make the Preserve Ontario’s whitewater showcase!

INFLUENCE

Hello WO membership

My name is Geoff Boyd and I have recently come on board to fill the position of the Director of Influence.  The purpose of this position is to give Ontario paddlers a voice through WO for access and river issues that we may encounter as paddlers, to ensure that we can still paddle the rivers we hold dear for many years to come. Over the next few weeks I will be looking to grow the Influence Committee (from the current state of 2 people) to help me out in this endeavor and act as ambassadors of the Influence Committee in the various regions you may reside.  I will be contacting a few people I have in mind personally, however, if you are a passionate and motivated individual and
would like to join the committee, please contact me at the email address below.
Once we have some bodies in place, we will be actively getting involved with current and future access threats to our rivers.  If there is an issue that you are aware of, please send me an email to let me know of the situation, and we can take a look at the courses of action available to us.

If you have any questions, or have any ideas of your own, please feel free to find me in an eddy, or email me at:              This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Regards
Geoff Boyd
WO Director of Influence

MEMBERSHIP

Member clubs will be pleased to hear that Whitewater Ontario was promoting Ontario paddling clubs at Palmerfest. A handout including the names, location, contact details and website of paddling clubs in Ontario was available at the Whitewater Ontario booth at Palmerfest. What better way for beginners and existing paddlers to continue their paddling careers than contacting a paddling club and getting involved! We have also set up a River Safety and Rescue course with paddling clubs in mind so people paddling together than take a safety course and learn together. If you are interested in taking a River Safety and Rescue course with other Whitewater Ontario Club members in August please email me ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and I can provide you with more details.

Whitewater Ontario

Phone – 1-888-322-2849

Fax – 905-985-5256

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it