sPriNG sessiON: Bus eater wave.
photo: patricK camblin
WhiteWater LoWDoWn
Minutes from downtown, the ottawa river is
one of the world’s very best freestyle training
grounds. the high volume—averaging 10,000
cubic feet per second (CFs) during low water
and a raging 60,000+ CFs in spring—intimi-
dates first-time boaters, but even newbies
quickly become addicted to the warm water,
glassy waves and deep, easy-access play
spots. Learn the ropes—and the river—with two
excellent, local paddling schools. Liquid skills,
operating since 2000, is the smaller of the two
with a welcoming family atmosphere. Wilder-
ness tours’ ottawa Kayak school, established
in 1982, has full rafting resort amenities and
runs the popular teen Keener Camp. Both
offer a full spectrum of beginner to advanced
classes and hire top-notch instructors, includ-
ing former World Champions ruth Gordon (Ls)
and eric Jackson (oKs).
the ottawa Valley is also home to nearly a
dozen other diverse whitewater runs within a
day’s drive. these include the short and play-
ful Petawawa town run (class iii, 30 minutes)
and the three-day classic canoe trip on the
lower Pet (class ii-iii, 2½ hrs). across the ot-
tawa in the province of Quebec, head to the
Gatineau for big-water pool and drop (class
Get sChooLeD in
iii-iV), or the rouge for class iii creeking (both
1 hr). Montreal’s renowned Lachine rapids
and Big Joe surf wave are also within a three-
Beachburg
hour drive.
Cross-training
CyCLinG: the sprawling farmland of the
ottawa Valley lends itself to great long
bY brenDan MarK
distance rides along quiet backroads
with only the odd passing vehicle. try
the relaxing, 45-kilometre loop through
B
eachburg is a small farming community nestled in the heart of eastern Ontario’s Whitewater
Beachburg, Westmeath and LaPasse for
Region, 80 minutes north of Ottawa off the Trans-Canada. The famed Rocher Fendu (Split
views of the ottawa.
Rock) section of the 1,271-kilometre-long Ottawa River courses past the town’s doorstep. In the 30 CanoeinG: the entrance to algonquin
years since the first commercial rafting trip down the Ottawa, the number of outfitters and rafting
Provincial Park’s 7,725 square kilometres
and 1,600-kilometre network of canoe
tourists has grown dramatically, as has the importance of the river to employment and tourism in
routes is just 25 minutes away.
the area. Beachburg is the closest town to the put-in, offering groceries, alcohol and dining options, sKiinG: a host of small ski hills help beat
making it a busy service centre from June to August. During these months, guiding staff and paddlers
the winter blues. hit the slopes at Mt.
Pakenham (50 minutes) or Calabogie
from around the world settle in to train, surf and hang out. The few who stay behind to brave the
(45 minutes). For a cross-country workout,
photos: icy winter months are at the core
Gatineau Park has 200 kilometres of clas-
of a slowly developing, permanent
sic and skate trails (1¼ hours).
l
isa
whitewater community. Although
u
grub, Pub and hubbub
tron
still viewed as curious outsiders by
the annual Beachburg Fair, now in its 153rd
K
i
many of the surrounding country folk,
year, is the town’s biggest bash. held in July,
the boating populous has enjoyed a
the fair features tricked-out tractors, truck-pulling
contests and the always popular demolition
warmer welcome from Beachburgers.
derby. as expected in a small farming town,
In fact, many locals have taken up options for eating out are quite limited. Cur-
whitewater paddling.
rently, the two choices are Chinese or italian
8
(smokie’s takeout Pizza), but a new café called
simple things scheduled to open in the spring
BEST NEWBIE-
promises finer dining and an outdoor patio.
FRIENDLY TOWNS
LoCaL heroes
some fantastic boaters were born and raised
1 beachburg, ontario
in Beachburg, and many other whitewater
factoids
2 Franklin, north Carolina
gurus now call the town home. tyler Curtis
lives at the put-in to the river, Billy harris is
3 Charlemont, Massachusetts
a new landowner in town and Ken Whiting’s
» population: 900 » average house price: 4 Palmer rapids, ontario
heliconia Press is a local employer. other up-
$174,420 » average rent: $300 summer, 5 Forks of salmon, California
and-coming locals include Joel and Katie Kow-
$500+ year-round » number of gear shops/ 6 bingham, Maine alski (children of ottawa river rafting pioneer
guide outfitters: 4 » liquor store: yes—in an 7 Canmore, alberta
Joe Kowalski), Dave nieuwenhuis and—most
atCo trailer » McDonalds: no 8 White Lake, Wisconsin
famously of late—nick troutman.
www.rapidmag.com 2
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