Whitewater Kayaking the Ottawa River | Bucket List Paddling Trip

The Ottawa River is recognized around the world as one of the top whitewater kayaking destinations. It's got warm water, big rapids and epic surf waves, which is why many of the world's top paddlers have come from the Ottawa. It's also why I decided to call this place home over 20 years ago. Whether you're an experienced paddler, or considering trying whitewater paddling for the first time, a trip to the Ottawa River should definitely be on your bucket list!
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Wilderness Tours: www.wilderness...
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PADDLES
Aqua Bound Manta Ray Carbon Paddle:
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FOOTWEAR
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PFD’S
NRS Odyssey PFD: bit.ly/3ibIk2n
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OTHER PADDLING GEAR
Zoleo Communicator: bit.ly/3zw7gw1
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[@rickquist3992]

Now THAT'S the Ken Whiting we know and love!

[@boblem5994]

Life is full of regrets and I'm adding whitewater kayaking as something I wished I did when I was a younger man, especially after watching this video. The sheer joy in the participant's faces was great to see. It's very enjoyable to watch.

[@PaddleTV]

:) Yes... I consider myself extremely fortunate to have parents that encouraged me to try whitewater kayaking when I was 14 years old. It had a ripple effect on the rest of my life.

[@joshinfwtx4506]

Just getting started at 44. Only got a small taste so far but I'm hooked.

[@ChrisVarga]

It's never too late. I started when I was 44. 50 now. One of my favourite paddling buddies is 76. Started at 73! You don't need to go over Niagara falls....the first day. ;) Such a great, welcoming community. We may not all become Ken Whitings, but you'll most likely make good friends and have fun. That's really all that matters. :)

[@allanonamiss4224]

Bob, just letting you know that I'm currently 40 and just a month ago, I witnessed a 5 yr old and an 80something yr old man kayak passed me on the Middle channel of the Ottawa. Just saying... never too late ;-)

[@boblem5994]

@@allanonamiss4224 It' true you are never too old to learn new experiences. What's stopping me are my deteriorating lungs. To the people that are healthy just go out there, embrace your fears and just do it, while you have the chance. I no longer have that choice but the majority of you do.

[@johndewhurst3612]

Part of what influences the water level is the Hydro dam, definitely big water in June but colder, August water goes down, but thats when other rapids become more fun. Did the Coliseum in June big water, but our guide could still spit. Was an amazing time!

[@kayasper6081]

It is a joy to see you playing in those rapids, Ken.

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks Kayasper. I'm still loving it after 30 years :)

[@Furniture121]

I tried whitewater kayaking in Scotland way back in 1999... I'm just now getting into rec kayaking, this video kind of inspires me to try out whitewater again. I live in Ottawa, so the trip upriver isn't too arduous.

[@MicajahMcCurry]

Get after it!

[@PosaTheExplorer]

Holly wow such an amazing adventure..

[@georgewilliamssr5230]

On my bucket list for sure!

[@skikayak7125]

Excellent .. Linda and I still hope to make it to the Ottawa to see all of you guys on the river. Hopefully, Canada reopens to us Yanks.

[@PaddleTV]

We'll be waiting Cam! :)

[@BrianthatiscalledBrian]

That looks crazy fun. 🙂👍🚣‍♂️

[@FeWolf]

my favorite vid you have done

[@PaddleTV]

One of my favorite ones to film too! :). I'm going to do a bit more whitewater videos this year.

[@FeWolf]

@@PaddleTV like to see the Star Raven go at it

[@Lea99Jones]

We went up there every summer for seven years. Out of Baltimore. Oh my goodness. This is a nice video.

[@stephaneproulx5579]

Hey Ken - love your videos! Great job to you & team! Have you challenged the Deschênes Rapides on the Outaouais/Ottawa?

[@PaddleTV]

Thanks! Now, I've never been through the Deschenes Rapides. Is it worth the paddle?

[@stephaneproulx5579]

@@PaddleTV For you, most certainly! For me, not yet...

[@ronactive]

Sehr schönes Video. Grüße ronactive

[@danielapawlowska3024]

where does everyone park?

[@coppershark1973]

What wasn’t the plan?

[@spencer82rocks]

Looks fun but don’t exempt the worse,title ,this is not the plan , you sign for it,you are it .

[@hunterhartley583]

It’s to bad that wilderness tours is trying their best to monopolize the river and has wrecked most access to the river.

[@jamesfuller626]

glad someone commented about this

[@MrKenny1914]

This shit looks dangerous.

[@joshinfwtx4506]

Without the correct gear and training, yes it is. With the proper gear and a few lessons it becomes less dangerous than the car drive that got you there.

[@bcwbcw3741]

I loved the Ottawa. For all its difficulty and hugeness it is remarkably forgiving as the big pools between drops mean that even if you get trashed in a drop and swim you don't flush into anything dangerous, and have a place to recover. That said, it can be intense for a newbie as you can be sitting in the middle of the big ponds between drops and a swirl will come down and spin you around or flip you over. The ability to by-pass rapids easily is also a feature. One thing to keep in mind is that water flows around things as long there aren't the kind of narrow sieve-like boulder piles and downed trees that make some rivers more dangerous.