Update – July 21, 2011

2011 WHITEWATER SUMMER SERIES

Based on input received following the conclusion of the 2011 Summer Series at the Gull River, Whitewater Ontario’s respective sponsors, supporters, team managers, coaches and athletes were very pleased with the outcome!  On behalf of WO, all parties involved were specifically thanked and a results press release was distributed.

Special thanks to Summer Series Race Director, Steve Pomeroy and all the officials and volunteers who made this event possible.  As a result of this year’s series we have clearly forged a strong connection with the slalom paddling communities in both Australia and New Zealand with a distinct possibility some of them will return next summer. It was also the first time that the Andrew Westlake Memorial Cup was won by an international paddler, New Zealand’s Carl Whitehead.  As in previous years both Brian and Joyce Westlake were on hand to watch the race and present the cup in honor of their son Andrew, a promising young paddler, who was killed by an impaired driver a number of years ago.

ADVOCACY NEWS

1. WO access signage projects are underway at the Salmon River, the Black and the Crowe River Fish Hatchery

2. Committee approved a donation to the Crowe River Fish Hatchery Road Maintenance Association made together with Kawartha Whitewater Paddlers club

3. Members of the committee attended a teleconference with the CEO of Xeneca together with representatives from the Petawawa River Rats regarding the Big Eddy Proposal. Meetings and involvement continue....keep an eye out on the website for more updates.

4.   Committee approved support of the proposal for a whitewater park in Cambridge. WO has sent a letter of support and will send an Advocacy committee member to the council meeting this week.

MINDEN WILD WATER PRESERVE

Are you looking for a great place to camp, paddle, fish, hike or just chill out with friends or family? Then come to the beautiful Minden Wild Water Preserve on the wild and warm waters of the Gull River. It’s closer than you think.

Although this summer has been hot and dry so far, the Gull has been, and hopefully will continue, to be at stellar levels!

The Summer Race Series which concluded on the July 1^st weekend at the Gull was a very successful event (rodeos, boater cross and slalom races) and we now have a group of kids from both Australia and New Zealand who can hardly wait to get back as soon as they can.

https://picasaweb.google.com/mccoy085/GULLRSUMMERRACESERIESJULY132011?authkey=Gv1sRgCJihjLzC2aaQjgE&feat=email#

Our second annual Opportunities for Youth Program were held for two groups of youth on July 9-10 and 15- 16.  Kids in boats - smiling - having a great time. Thanks to all the organizers, instructors, volunteers, AO Boatwerks staff and the generous donation from Mountain Equipment Co-op for making this tremendous success!

https://picasaweb.google.com/mccoy085/July9102011?authkey=Gv1sRgCJHZ8Iq_pf2YgwE&feat=email#

https://picasaweb.google.com/mccoy085/OPPS4YOUTHJULY15162011?authkey=Gv1sRgCJLEkd_z3ZSF6wE&feat=email#

See you on the river!

A big thank you to John Slot for taking so many great photos of these recent events at the Gull. Bravo John!

CLUB SCENE

Plans are well underway for the upcoming King of the Clubs event taking place on Saturday, September 3rd, 2011 at River Run on the Ottawa River.  This is an event that anyone can participate in and is well represented by several clubs throughout Ontario. Watch for more information in the coming month.  Event organizers will also be contacting Paddling Clubs to remind and encourage them to join this fun-filled event!

ONTARIO ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK

Did you know that Whitewater Ontario is a member of the Ontario Environment Network (OEN)?

OEN is a non-profit, non-governmental network coordinating the efforts of over 500 Ontario environmental groups working towards and promoting protection of the environment.

The OEN offers many services including a central referral service for anyone seeking environmental information, organize workshops and conferences, publish resource materials, facilitate issue-specific caucuses, and maintain a database of Ontario environmental groups as well as a delegate database for public consultations

Check out their website: http://oen.ca/

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 6-7                          National Whitewater Slalom Championships                Chilliwack BC

September 3                      King of the Clubs                                                             River Run, Ottawa River

September 10-11           Gull River Open Canoe Race                                        Gull River

How to stay cool in this heat? Get out and enjoy your Ontario rivers! 

Whitewater Ontario is a volunteer-driven organization, uniting, supporting, and sustaining the inclusive
development of the whitewater paddling community and resources.

www.whitewaterontario.ca