Update – May 20th, 2011

HELL OR HIGH WATER AND THE LEVEL SIX CUP

Congratulations to Phil Kompass and the Hell or High Water organizing committee on this very successful event which took place on May 7th.  With over 400 participants, the organizers have every reason to be proud of hosting what has turned out to be one of Canada's – if not North America's - largest paddling events.  With a great team of volunteers, the event provided something very special for both participants and spectators alike. Well done HOHW!

The weather and water conditions shone brightly on the Level Six Capital Cup held near Bate Island on April 30.  It was a very full day with some terrific action.  Congratulations also to Stig, Tyler and the crew for putting on a great event. Results can be viewed at: www.levelsix.com .

Here are the official final results for the HOHW Downriver Kayak Race and the club portion of the Raft Race.

                                                                                 Level Six Cup

ADVOCACY NEWS

As you can see, the Advocacy Committee has been very busy in a number of important areas.

The Advocacy Committee continues to work on River Access issues and offer a single point of contact for negotiations between landowners and paddlers. Our most recent efforts involved dealing with landowners regarding private property issues at the Salmon River and Moore Creek.

We have been participating in Ontario Rivers Alliance meetings but were unable to get a WO member to attend the last ORA meeting on May 14th in North Bay. If anyone is interested in representing us at these meetings, approximately once every 6 weeks, your help would be most appreciated. Please email Donna at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Our committee representatives have been attending meetings in Petawawa with Xeneca, concerning their proposed hydro electric development. The next meeting is set for May 31st.

We conducted a survey of WO members in April regarding our position with Xeneca to make sure we are properly representing our members’ views. Of 142 participants who completed the survey, 75% oppose the project and agree that we should provide our input in discussions with Xeneca; 25% oppose the project and prefer we have no discussion with Xeneca.

River Wiki on the WO site now has beta on flows and access for 51 rivers! Send us any information you may have and we will continue to update the site. We are working to see if we can get live river gauge information as well.

Our committee is entertaining the idea of developing a paddlers’ forum on the WO website. It would be a great place for discussion of what’s happening. Let us know what you think about this idea.

Adventurer Magazine has contacted the Advocacy Committee for an article they are writing on recreational access issues in Ontario (climbing, paddling, trails etc). WO’s involvement in River Advocacy and River Access should be featured when the article is published.

Wayne Donison

INSTRUCTOR RECERTIFICATION

On Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21, Whitewater Ontario is conducting a Kayak Instructor Recertification course in order to help enter existing whitewater kayak instructors into the new National Kayak Instructor program. The recertification will held at Palmer Rapids as part of the Palmer River Festival. This is likely to be the last chance to recertify without having to take the full 4.5 day Instructor/Leader Course all over again.

The new CKC program is not only amazing but is also a trend-setter with new material through Sport Canada but it will also enhance the strength of our sport in Ontario and across the country. It is important to note that now an Instructor and Trip Leader are recognized at the same level as coaches by the Coaching Association of Canada.

To register, please email Donna at   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Claudia van Wijk

MEMBERSHIP

The membership committee has been working on the following since the last WO update.

Something we are considering is to make memberships active starting April 1 to coincide with the renewal date of WO's insurance policy.  This would make bookkeeping easier for clubs which use the WO insurance - and spring paddling usually starts around then too! Another initiative for the committee this year is to welcome WO members when they join or renew their membership with a welcome letter and an (electronic) membership card.  This will inform new members what WO does that they may not have known and remind existing members of the benefits of joining.

If you have any input about the initiatives listed above or have any ideas for the membership committee please contact Brad Statham at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

WHITEWATER ONTARIO PROMO BOOTH

Stephanie Reeder has done a great job of organizing and coordinating our WO Promo Booth.  Our booth was very visible at both the Level Six Cup and HOHW and will again be set up this weekend at the Palmer River Festival.  Stephanie also has plans for it to be set up at the Voyageur Heritage Weekend on June 11th and 12th.  We are looking for volunteers to staff our booth so please email Stephanie if you are able to help. ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

MINDEN WILD WATER PRESERVE

The Preserve campground and Roger Parsons Centre is ready to go for another great summer season. The Gull is pumping and the trilliums are fantastic once again.

There are few notable changes at the Preserve which WO members and their guests should be aware of:

REGISTRATION PROCEDURE

All campers must first complete the Registration System found at the kiosk when entering the campground as follows:

1.  Upon arrival, please fill out the information required on the envelope and inserted card

2.  Place the camp fees in the envelope and deposit it in the camp fees box ($10/member/night - $15/non-member/night)

3. Place the completed card prominently on display on the dashboard of your car

4. Failure to follow these rules will be grounds for removal from the campground

CAMPFIRE WOOD

A tremendous amount of volunteer work and cost goes into supplying campfire wood for the entire season for our members. Last year the woodshed was empty well before the end of summer as there was virtually no control over wood consumption.  The new woodshed is now enclosed and secured. The shed will be open according to a schedule, to be posted shortly, and when staff is present on site.

Firewood will be sold in milk crates at a charge of $3.00 each. Please ensure that the crates are returned promptly to the shed for others to use.

WASHROOMS

The downstairs washrooms in the Roger Parsons Centre have presented various problems in the past. New toilets were installed this spring and water leaks have been fixed. This is the first stage towards renovation of the washrooms. Your cooperation in keeping the washrooms clean is greatly appreciated.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH PROGRAM (O4Y)

Once again, the Preserve Committee will be running two O4Y weekends – July 9-10 and 16-17.  A supporting grant has been received this year from Mountain Equipment Co-op.

We can always use volunteers to help with organization, meals and boater safety. Everyone is invited to watch the paddlers of tomorrow get started!

Further details:   http://whitewaterontario.ca/the-preserve-news/235-opportunities-for-youth.html

MWWP Committee

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Our Communications committee is in need of your help.  With the volume of events, activities, and programs Whitewater Ontario is involved in, we need a strong communications team to ensure our members get the necessary information in a timely fashion and in the right place.  We need assistance in the area of website support, social media, and the use of other communication tools.  If interested – and we do need you – please contact Peter Farr at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

VOYAGEUR HERITAGE WEEKEND

Be a part of the Voyageur Heritage Weekend , June 11th-12th celebrating Canada Rivers Day by re-enacting the experience of  the Voyageurs and Loggers along the Ottawa river through running the rapids, period cuisine, storytelling and heel-kicking fiddle music talent of today ! 

The event includes Friday evening by the campfire—an animated history lesson with Jeff Jackson and lively storytelling and songs with Barney McCafrey.

Saturday is a full day of Whitewater Rafting and return BBQ luncheon Pontoon cruise. The Voyageur dinner and Dance well into the night with good 'ole Valley fiddle music.  Sunday's paddling a 30 ft decorated original Voyageur Canoe upstream between the myriad of islands as Voyageurs did hundreds of years ago.  More information email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

UPCOMING  EVENTS

May 20-22           Ottawa River Festival

May 21-22           Palmer River Festival

June 11-12          Voyageur Heritage Weekend

June 26-July 3    Summer Race Series*

*On line registration for the Summer Series will be available shortly.  Keep checking the WO website.

Get out and enjoy your Ontario rivers this weekend!