Whitewater Ontario supports a number of different events hosted across Ontario. Below is a tentative 2026 event schedule for events in Ontario or for Ontario paddlers:
| Date | Event/Training | Description |
| April 17-19, 2026 | MACKFest (Marmora, ON) | MACKFest (the Marmora Area Canoe and Kayak Festival) is a premier early-season whitewater event held annually in Marmora, Ontario. Traditionally taking place in April to take advantage of the spring freshet, it draws paddlers from across Ontario, Quebec, and the Northeast United States to tackle the diverse runs of the Crowe and Beaver Rivers. The festival is celebrated for its grassroots community feel, offering everything from technical steep creeking to playful river running. Beyond the water, MACKFest is a vital social hub for the paddling community, featuring a popular Saturday night dinner and party that serves as a massive reunion for the season ahead. It is a volunteer-driven event that emphasizes river stewardship and provides a high-energy kickoff to the Canadian whitewater calendar. Proceeds go to river access, advocacy, community support (food banks and youth programs), and sustainability of the event. |
| May 2, 2026 | International Whitewater Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (Peterborough, ON) | The 2026 International Whitewater Hall of Fame (IWHoF) Induction Ceremony was a landmark event held on May 2 at the new Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough, Ontario. This year’s ceremony was particularly significant as it brought the international paddling community to the world’s largest collection of paddle craft to honour five icons who have shaped the sport’s history: Roger Parsons (Canada): A pioneer and explorer whose influence is felt across almost every facet of Canadian whitewater. Dana Chladek (USA) & Danielle Woodward (Australia): Olympic slalom champions recognized in the “Champions” category. Hugh Canard (New Zealand) & George Wendt (USA): Visionary river conservationists and “Advocates.” |
| May 3, 2026 | Celebration of Roger Parsons’ Contributions to Whitewater Community (Minden, ON) | On May 3, 2026, the paddling community gathered at the Minden Wild Water Preserve for a special commemorative event to honor the legacy of the late Roger Parsons. Following his induction into the International Whitewater Hall of Fame (IWHoF) just the day before, this riverside tribute allowed friends, family, and fellow paddlers to celebrate Roger’s immense contributions to the sport in the environment he loved most. The gathering took place at the Gull River, a site where Roger spent countless hours as an explorer, advocate, and mentor. Attendees shared stories of his pioneering spirit and his tireless work in securing river access and fostering the whitewater community across Canada. It was a poignant and fitting salute to a man whose influence remains a cornerstone of Ontario’s paddling heritage, ensuring his memory continues to flow with the rivers he dedicated his life to protecting. |
| May 9, 2026 | Hell or High Water (Petawawa, ON) | The Hell or High Water (HOHW) takes place each spring on the Petawawa River to capitalize on the powerful, high-volume runoff. The event draws hundreds of paddlers and spectators to the Town Run section of the river, specifically targeting the legendary Railroad Rapids. Beyond the adrenaline of the competition, HOHW is a massive community celebration. It serves as a vital fundraiser for river conservation and access initiatives, bringing the town and the paddling world together for a weekend of live music, local vendors, and the “Big Water” thrills that have made the Petawawa a bucket-list destination for whitewater enthusiasts. Proceeds go towards access and advocacy. |
| May 8-10, 2026 | CKC Slalom & Kayak Cross Team Trials (Minden, ON) | |
| May 15-17, 2026 | Palmer River Festival (Palmer Rapids, ON) | The Palmer River Festival is an annual celebration of whitewater culture hosted by the Paddler Co-op on the banks of the Madawaska River. Located near Palmer Rapids, Ontario, the semi-annual festival serves as vibrant season-opener and season-ender gatherings that brings together paddlers of all skill levels. The event typically features a mix of on-water clinics, community races, and freestyle showcases, all centered around the accessible yet playful rapids of the Madawaska. On land, the festival is known for its “river family” vibe, featuring live music, local food, and gear swaps. It remains a cornerstone event for the Ontario paddling scene, emphasizing skill development, river safety, and the preservation of river access in a social, inclusive environment. |
| May 15-17, 2026 | Minden Whitewater Preserve Opening Weekend (Minden, ON) | |
| May 17, 2026 | Slalom Intro Race – Ripples – Pumphouse (Ottawa, ON) | |
| June 6-7, 2026 | Summer Series Race 1 (Barry’s Bay, ON) | |
| June 13, 2026 | Reel Paddling Film Festival (Haliburton, ON) | The Reel Paddling Film Festival (now officially the Paddling Film Festival World Tour) is coming to Haliburton on Saturday, June 13, 2026. Hosted by Whitewater Ontario and Algonquin Outfitters, this screening brings together local outdoor enthusiasts to celebrate the year’s best cinematography in kayaking, canoeing, rafting, and stand-up paddleboarding. |
| June 13, 2026 | Slalom Intro Race – Ripples – Pumphouse (Ottawa, ON) | |
| July 3-5, 2026 | Ottawa River Paddlefest (Forester’s Falls, ON) | The Ottawa River Paddlefest, occurring July 3–5, 2026, is a premier celebration of the Ottawa River’s legendary whitewater, centered at OWL Rafting in Foresters Falls. This year’s festival is particularly momentous, marking 50 years of whitewater adventure on the river and bringing the community together for a weekend of skills development, competition, and social connection. The weekend is packed with a mix of instructional and high-energy events, including skills clinics, competitions, and culture and community activities. |
| July 18, 2026 | Eastern Canada Freestyle Team Trials (Valleyfield, QC) | The Eastern Canada Freestyle Team Trials take place at the Valleyfield Whitewater Course in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec. This technical, urban course provides a unique, stadium-like atmosphere where paddlers compete in a world-class freestyle feature known for its fast, surging green waves and powerful holes. As a critical selection event for the Canadian National Freestyle Team, the trials bring together the best freestyle kayakers from Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes. Athletes have limited time to perform a variety of aerial and technical maneuvers to impress the judges and secure their spot on the international stage. The event is a high-energy showcase of the sport’s progression, set against the backdrop of one of the most accessible and spectator-friendly whitewater venues in Eastern Canada. |
| July 18-19, 2026 | Summer Series Race 2 – Pumphouse (Ottawa, ON) | |
| July 25, 2026 | 28th Annual Jimi Cup (Ottawa, ON) | The Jimi Cup is indeed a dedicated squirt boat event held annually on the Ottawa River. It takes place at the famous “Smoothie” eddy, located at the top of McCoy’s Chute. Unlike traditional slalom or freestyle events, the Jimi Cup focuses on the niche and technical art of squirt boating—specifically mystery moves, where paddlers use the river’s vertical currents to sink their low-volume boats underwater for as long as possible. The event is a laid-back, community-driven gathering that celebrates “downtime” and the unique culture of squirt boating, often drawing a dedicated group of paddlers to the Ottawa’s world-class mystery spots each July. |
| Aug 9, 2026 | Squirt Team Trials Submission Deadline | |
| Aug 15-16, 2026 | Canada Cup – Freestyle (Forester’s Falls, ON) | The Canada Cup (often called the Canada Freestyle Cup) is the grand finale of the Ottawa River competitive season, typically held in mid-August when the river reaches its ideal low-water levels. Organized by the Ottawa Kayak School at Wilderness Tours, the event centres on the world-famous Garburator Wave, a feature renowned for its massive air potential and technical consistency. More than just a contest, the Canada Cup is a celebratory “bookend” to the summer, bringing together the Ottawa Valley’s tight-knit paddling community for a weekend of elite action, volunteer spirit, and legendary post-race festivities. |
| Aug 29-30 | Summer Series Race 3 – Pumphouse (Ottawa, ON) | |
| September 12-13, 2026 | Slalom & Kayak Cross Provincial Championships (Minden, ON) | |
| November 14, 2026 | 15th Movember Classic (Ottawa, ON) | The Movember Whitewater Classic is a legendary late-season event on the Ottawa River that brings together the paddling community for “cold water and a great cause.” Now reaching its 15th year, the race was founded by Matt Hamilton and Robyn Butler to raise funds and awareness for men’s health through the Movember Foundation. Held in early November, the event is famous for its chilly temperatures and the distinctive “Mo’s” worn by participants (often over their drysuits). The race typically takes place on the Middle Channel, featuring a team-based format where pairs of paddlers navigate the river together. It is celebrated for its inclusive, high-energy atmosphere that prioritizes camaraderie over cutthroat competition, often culminating in a spirited after-party at the River Barn. Over the years, the Classic has raised tens of thousands of dollars, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the Ottawa River’s autumn paddling tradition. |