Update – August 31, 2011

KING OF THE CLUBS THIS SATURDAY!

Whitewater Ontario’s 3rd annual King of the Clubs event is coming up this Saturday, September 3^rd at River Run.  Information has been sent out to our clubs and is posted on the WO website.  If you have any last minute inquiries email Cale Reeder at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We hope to have another great turnout.

AOB AGREEMENT

The current two year agreement (pilot project) to rent part of the Roger Parsons Centre to Algonquin Outfitters-Boatwerks for operating a paddling school will terminate October 1, 2011.

At the outset of this pilot project, Whitewater Ontario clearly stated that it wishes to evaluate the success of this pilot and at the same time would like to proceed with a transparent public call for expressions of interest for a continuation of this type of service at the Preserve.

We wish to initiate this Request for Proposal soon, simply so that other potential bidders have an opportunity to inspect the property prior to winter and that there is no appearance of an unfair advantage to AOB.  Details will be released in the near future.

MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN

While Whitewater Ontario generates most of its revenues from membership events and the Preserve, we also receive a small amount of base funding from the Province of Ontario. This goes mainly to help cover our administrative costs and some athlete support. The grant funding is determined on a three year cycle and our new cycle begins in 2012 at which time we must submit various information. The grants are coordinated through CanoeKayak Ontario, the umbrella organization composed of whitewater, sprint, and marathon disciplines.  Steve Pomeroy, WO’s treasurer is also the current president of CKO and is very involved in the grant funding process.

A key element in the grant request is our 2011 membership level, so we need to maximize membership and thus the grant amount. For this reason, anyone joining Whitewater Ontario between September 1st and December 1st will receive membership through the entire 2012 season. If you have friends and fellow paddlers participating in any events or are interested in supporting WO river access activities, please encourage them to take out a membership now.  Membership information and online registration can be obtained via our website at:  http://www.whitewaterontario.ca/join-wo/membership-benefits.html

HORSESHOE LAKE ROAD

Just a reminder to our members and the paddling community in general of the importance of respecting the residents who live along Horseshoe Lake Road near the Gull River. Keeping a close eye on the speedometer and respecting the posted speed limit signs on Horseshoe Lake Road contributes to the positive relationship we wish to maintain with the residents of the area and the community. Thanks for doing your part.

SPORTSNET SIGNS THREE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH CANOEKAYAK CANADA

Rogers Sportsnet has announced a new three-year agreement with CanoeKayak Canada for exclusive broadcast rights to five key events this season, leading up to Rogers’ extensive coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games, where canoe/kayak will receive high profile. 

In addition to the Canoe Sprint World Championships, Sportsnet has also secured the broadcast rights to the Canoe Sprint World Cup, Canoe Slalom World Championships, Canoe Slalom World Cup, and the Mazda Canoe Kayak Knockout.

This television agreement hopefully will increase the slalom profile across Canada. With Whitewater Ontario athletes like John Hastings and Sarah Boudens vying for the 2012 London Olympics, television coverage of the upcoming World Championships in Bratislava will provide a great opportunity to watch these athletes competing at the highest level.

Sportsnet’s broadcast schedule for the 2011 Canoe Slalom World Championships from Bratislava is as follows:

Saturday                September 11   6:00AM

Sunday                  September 11   6:00AM

Monday                 September 12   3:00PM (Replay)

Best wishes to all our Canadian slalom athletes as they participate in the final major international race of the season.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

August 31                           MKC Open Canoe Race                                 MKC

September 3                      King of the Clubs                                            River Run

September 10-11               Gull River Open Canoe Race                         Gull River

September 18                   The Pumphouse Slalom Race                       The Pumphouse, Ottawa
                                              Provincial Championships

We are also in the process of setting the date for our Annual General Meeting later this fall.  Watch for details in the coming weeks.  Start thinking about how you would like to be involved with Whitewater Ontario next season.

Keep enjoying 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