Posted: July 22, 2022
A Rafting Adventure with the Youth Water Leaders!
This month, the Youth Water Leaders set out to challenge themselves during a three day urban kaya-rafting expedition on the Ottawa River. With the support of Boreal River Adventures, the youth were able to experience the power of the river like never before.
Friday
It was a beautiful sunny evening when the group started their adventure at Parc Moussette. Fitted with helmets and PFDs (that’s Personal Flotation Device) they completed a crash course in water safety before launching from the beach in two jumbo rafts and paddling to a nearby island.
Arriving at the island, the youth were met with a tiny wilderness in the heart of the city. Under the canopy of trees, only the sounds of nearby gulls and crackling of the fire could be heard. After a delicious supper, Ottawa Riverkeeper Laura Reinsborough led the youth in a reflection on what leadership meant to them. The youth shared many thoughtful responses, with a few common themes:
- Taking responsibility for yourself and others
- Standing up for a cause you believe in
- Helping to ensure that everyone has a voice
After their discussion, the Water Leaders gathered around the fire to listen to a song and stories from Awema Tendesi, an Indigenous speaker from Kitigan Zibi. Awema taught the group about Indigenous languages, the significance of the drum in Algonquin cultures, the importance of water and the special role of women as water protectors in his community.
As the sun set on the Ottawa River, the youth left the island with a new appreciation of water. Their conversation with Awema emphasised the importance of water as a source of life and community and set the tone for the weekend ahead.
Saturday
The youth were joined bright and early at Parc Moussette by Jean Dougherty and Beth McLarty Halfkenny, two geologists from Ottawa Gatineau Geoheritage. They taught the group all about the formation of the Ottawa River during the last ice age over 15,000 years ago and the fossils that can be found in the area today. While most people aren’t expert geologists, Beth and Jean believe that it’s important for us all to have some awareness of the geology where we live. For instance, the rocks and clay in an area can affect the quality of the water you drink – giving it a funny taste or smell. In the event that the rock contains natural radioisotopes as in some parts of the Canadian shield, water can even be unsafe to drink.
After their lesson in geology, the Youth Water Leaders took to the river in kaya-rafts. The group fist paired off to practice solo and assisted rescues. Once confident they could get back in the boats, it was time to paddle upstream to play in the white water. With the help of their guides, the Water Leaders started learning to “read the water” – finding the best currents to avoid obstacles as they hopped from one eddy to the next.
After lunch, it was time to get back in the boats! The group lined up and paddled single file, like ducklings, to the crashing Dessert Wave in the middle of the river – a popular spot for surfers and other thrill seekers. One by one they rode over the wave, with some daring youth even catching a surf!
Finally, after a long day on the water the group paddled back to Parc Moussette to play some games and relax by the beach before dinner.
Sunday
Early in the morning, only a little sore from paddling the day before, the Water Leaders launched their kaya-rafts from Parc Moussette and paddled to Lemieux Island, where they pulled ashore for a tour of the Water Purification Plant. They were greeted by two staff from the plant Josh Elliot and Andy Campbell, who had never seen visitors arrive by boat!
The plant at Lemieux Island provides clean drinking water for the central and eastern parts of Ottawa. The oldest part of the plant was built after an outbreak of typhoid, a water-borne disease, unfortunately killed dozens of Ottawa residents in the 1910’s.
During their tour the group learned about how the infrastructure and chemical processes for treating water have evolved in the decades since the plant’s opening. The current process is tailored to the conditions of the Ottawa River. As Josh explained, the Ottawa River is unique, and what works here wouldn’t necessarily do the job in another city like Kingston, where they source their water from lake Ontario and vice versa.
After bidding farewell to Lemieux Island, the youth took a lunch break by the river before making their way to the Pump House. Not only a critical piece of infrastructure for getting treated water from the Lemieux Island to Ottawa residents, the Pump House is also the site of an amazing white water course where professional athletes train. The youth experienced the power of the rushing current by swimming the course.
After having their fun in the water, the group jumped back in their boats. One by one they deftly paddling down the rapids, and over a giant wave at the end of the course which launched them into the darkness of a huge culvert.
After emerging from the tunnel, the youth paddled to the Jacques-Cartier Marina before making their way back to Parc Moussette. The whole group was tired after a long weekend on the water, but grateful for the amazing experience they had had. It’s such a privilege to live near the incredible Ottawa River, and this adventure was a great reminder of our responsibility to protect it.
Thanks to Boreal River Adventures for planning an amazing weekend with us, particularly Kim and our fantastic guides Leonie, Zofia and Jamie.
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