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Celebrate Canadian Rivers Day

Westboro Beach - Sunday, June 13, 2004

Explore the path of the paddle first traveled by aboriginals 8,000 years ago, the early Europeans such as Champlain 400 years ago and later by the voyageurs by participating in Ottawa Riverkeeper’s celebration of Canadian Rivers Day. Come and enjoy a leisurely paddle on one of Canada’s most historic rivers – the Ottawa River.

p.Ottawa Riverkeeper Celebrates Canadian Rivers Day
Sunday June 13, 2004 at Westboro Beach in Ottawa

Ottawa Riverkeeper AGM

This event will kick off at 11:30 a.m. with the Ottawa Riverkeeper’s Annual General Meeting, including a light lunch hosted by Moe’s Newport Restaurant Cafe, located at Westboro Beach. Everyone welcome!

Fundraising Paddle for ORK

Following the meeting, there will be an organized river paddle that will follow a route between Westboro Beach and the Deschenes Rapids in support of OTTAWA RIVERKEEPER. There will be both a “leisureâ€? course and a longer “Voyageurâ€? course, both courses easily paddled within 1 – 2 hours. The total distance of the routes will be determined in response to the weather on the day of the event. The paddling will begin at 1:30.

Participants are encouraged to raise money for Ottawa Riverkeeper by collecting pledges. A minimum pledge of $20 per boat is required to be eligible for our fantastic prizes. Prizes will be awarded for the following categories:

  1. the fastest paddlers
  2. the best-dressed paddlers
  3. the paddler who collects the most pledges

Registration and Pledge Forms are available at Mountain Equipment Co-op or you can download the pledge form here and print it out yourself.

Pledge Form

Participants wishing to take part in the fundraising paddle for Ottawa Riverkeeper are required to bring their own canoe, kayak or rowboat and must ensure they have the minimum required safety equipment including a: PFD, bailer, floating throw rope and pealess whistle. If you do not have your own boat, rentals are available nearby at MEC.

Family Activities

For those not wishing to participate in the paddle, there will be family-oriented activities hosted by Ottawa Riverkeeper on the beach as well as on the river. Come and paddle in a Voyageur canoe, paint a fish or participate in an interpretive riverside ramble. Join in the fun, meet the Ottawa Riverkeeper and discover your river. There is no registration fee to participate in these activities but donations to Ottawa Riverkeeper are welcome.

Riverside Ramble with Leanne Kane

Leanne Kane is an eleven year resident of Westboro and a long time river rambler along the Ottawa and Rideau rivers. She likes canoe tripping in Algonquin and Frontenac Parks, hiking in Gatineau Park and telling stories to anyone anywhere. Leanne will be leading a family-oriented interpretive walk along the shore of the Ottawa River, leaving from Westboro Beach around 1:45 p.m. All are welcome to participate.

Fish Painting with Susan Jolliffe

Local artist Susan Jolliffe will be working with and inspiring children and adults to create fantastic fish art. Don’t miss out!

Itinerary

11:30 – 12:30 Ottawa Riverkeeper Annual General Meeting

12:30 – 1:30 Light lunch

1:30 – 3:30 Fundraising paddle for Ottawa Riverkeeper and family activities

3:30 – 4:00 Prizes awarded and event wrap-up

For further information or questions, please contact Kim at 613-866-7793 or email outreach@ottawariverkeeper.ca

Driving Reminder:

For your information, the westbound lanes of the Ottawa River Parkway are closed to motor vehicles on Sunday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from Island Park Drive to Carling Avenue. You will have to access Westboro beach from the eastbound lanes if you are driving. There is a parking lot for the beach off the Parkway, just slightly east of the beach and parking is also available on Kirchoffer Street, where you access the beach by walking under the overpass.


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