Canadian Rivers Day - June 12, 2005
Sunday June 12, 2005 was Canadian Rivers Day and Ottawa Riverkeeper celebrated with a guided paddle on the Ottawa River with Max Finkelstein. In the city of Ottawa, about 50 friends and family members paddled the legendary Ottawa River from Victoria Island to Petrie Island a distance of approximately 18 km. Participants came from as far as Montreal to join the Ottawa Riverkeeper Celebration.
Paddlers began to gather early on Victoria Island. Some arrived bringing only themselves hoping to catch a ride – no one was disappointed! Max is a renowned canoe author, heritage river connoisseur and voyageur-in-training. Before departure, Max mentioned that Victoria Island was perhaps the most historic and sacred piece of river shoreline in the entire country – being an important Algonquin gathering spot long before the arrival of Europeans.
Around 10:15AM, most of the boats were on the river. Participants made a “paddle past” of parliament hill and Rideau Falls, sailed past the Prime Minister’s home. Motorboats prevailed between Macdonald-Cartier Bridge and Rideau Falls – some very loud and very fast. Paddlers settled into a routine, fairly spread out and reached Upper Duck Island after a 2 1/2 hour paddle brings us to Upper Duck. After a nice lunch on the beach, paddlers departed for the last half of the trip. Paddlers landed at Petrie Island around 4PM where they caught the informal shuttle to Victoria Island. Despite the heat and humidity, everyone enjoyed the Ottawa Riverkeeper Celebration of National River Day on the river.
Please check the event section to learn about the upcoming celebration!
Photo Gallery
Max Finkelstein
Paddle from ...Print this page - Email this page