CdB's New Members' Day
When:
Saturday, June 14th, 2025 10:00am
Where:
Ottawa River's, channel tbd based on river level and paddlers.
(Some of us will do the middle for new paddlers, and if water levels are high, many/most will do the middle).
The Level was ~ 5 on Sunday Jun 08
https://www.shaggydesigns.com/gauge/ottawa.htmMany safe lines or alternate lines and of course, all rapids can be scouted and walked!
Why:
To meet your new paddling buddies and do what we love best.... PADDLING!!!!
How:
More experienced CdB Paddlers will paddle along and be available with helpful hints and advice about the river.
Meet time:
10:00 AM-you should leave Ottawa around 8:30 at the latest.
Meet place:
Public Paddlers Takeout is the take out and our meeting place to organize the shuttle..
… here's a link to a map:
https://goo.gl/maps/QQD3oH7Fjsk6p2J7A45°42'52.7"N 76°44'14.8"W
Unnamed Road, Foresters Falls, ON K0J 1V0
For car-pooling people have the option to meet-up at 8:30 am at the Eagleson Park and Ride which is located at Eagleson Rd. and Hwy 417.
https://www.octranspo.com/en/our-services/park-ride/What to Bring:
Kayak and all paddling equipment. See CDB guidlines if you are new.
Food: Bring drinking water for the day and a snack or lunch, since we usually stop somewhere along the river.
Safety equipment:
Bring:
-- your boat with flotation, helmet, spray skirt and paddle
-- life jacket (PFD), whistle and throw bag
-- clothing appropriate to the air and water temperature, river booties or other kind of shoes.
which is a condensed version paraphrased from the safety thread on our CdB-Ottawa.com Web Forum.
At the takeout a shuttle needs to be set up so all the paddlers, boats and paddling gear gets to the OWL put in (which is also marked on the map).
Remaining at the take out are dry clothes and a sufficient number of cars for the drivers at the end of the day to fetch the cars.
Usually somebody steps up to be the shuttle Tsar.
More information on shuttling can be found here:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/4823356341/Shuttle%20for%20dummies/10153694420126342/What will happen:
Usually at this event, we have a large flotilla of boats on the river.
Once everybody is geared up and ready to go, we will gather in the bay before heading off down the river.
That will provide a chance for introductions and to give some safety guidelines. In the past, the last person was left behind ... don't be that person....
It's really difficult to keep track of everybody, so the best approach is to travel down the river in small groups as part of larger entourage.
New member's day is also a couple days prior to the deadline for renewing your 2025 membership, so make sure to renew if you haven't already!
We will bring membership forms ($20 per member or family/year)
Thanks!
The Ottawa Middle and Main channel are run many times during the paddling season. We hope to see current, past and new members at this event!
Regards,
The CdB Executive
