Experience whitewater paddling Ontario

Benefits of learning how to paddle whitewater

Whitewater paddling is every bit as fun as it looks. And it’s not always extreme. Most of the more popular whitewater routes in Ontario are quite tame. With some education, instruction and experience, you can become proficient at the sport.

Once you have developed skills and confidence, learning to paddle whitewater opens up a whole new range of canoe trip options, such as the French River, the Spanish River and the Madawaska.

The whitewater paddling community is small and friendly. Once you’ve attended an event or two, taken a few lessons or gone on a guided trip, you’ll meet people eager to help you improve and learn.

Whitewater paddling outfitters, schools and clubs

Without a doubt, the best way to get involved in whitewater paddling is with some instruction.

Moving water is surprisingly powerful, so newcomers to the sport need to take lessons or hire a guide. There are several outfitters and schools in Ontario that teach the correct paddle strokes, how to scout rapids, techniques in self-rescue and how to determine when to paddle rapids and when to portage them.       

Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association (ORCKA)

A provincial not-for-profit that promotes a safe, knowledgeable and accessible recreational paddling culture through education, instruction and advocacy. Search for a “moving water” course near you.

Paddle Canada

Paddle Canada is a national association for recreational paddling that set standards for instruction and certification in canoeing, kayaking and stand up paddling. Find a course or program near you.

Paddler Co-Op

Located in Palmer Rapids, the epicentre of whitewater paddling in Ontario, and many would agree, the whitewater capital of Canada, Paddler Co-Op offers whitewater instruction for all levels, from beginner to advanced paddlers.

Location: 6535 Palmer Road, Palmer Rapids

Rescue Canada

A swift water rescue course might be a good idea on your whitewater training journey. You’ll learn how to recognize hazards, safety techniques, self-rescue and companion rescue.

Madawaska Kanu Centre

Nearby, Madawaska Kanu Centre offers fully inclusive week-long instruction courses on their little slice of the Madawaska River. It’s an incredible place to learn and the perfect place to do so.

Location: 247 River Road, Barry’s Bay

Black Feather

Black Feather outfitters hosts a whitewater canoe clinic every spring. They also offer multi-day whitewater-focused canoe trips in Ontario on the French River, Spanish River, Magnetawan River and the Petawawa.

MHO Outfitters

Each year MHO Outfitters does a spring whitewater trip in addition to multi-day whitewater trips on the French, Missinaibi, Spanish and the Petawawa Rivers throughout the paddling season.

Whitewater clubs in Ontario

Get involved in the whitewater paddling scene in Ontario and meet like-minded people at a local club. Some clubs will organize winter pool sessions so you can practice your rolls and more.

Best whitewater rapids in Ontario

Once you’ve learned to paddle whitewater in Ontario you can start looking for the best place to paddle whitewater while challenging yourself. Be sure you’re fully prepared and have researched water levels and safety concerns.

Find more paddling destinations on Paddling Maps.

Gull River

If you’re ready for the real deal, the Gull River is your spot. Located just south of Minden, this is where the whitewater events were held during the Pan Am Games in 2015.

The Minden Whitewater Preserve features 800 meters of whitewater rapids and ranges from Class II to Class IV rapids. This spot is perfect for paddlers who have some experience but are looking to develop whitewater canoe and kayak skills.

Whitewater Ontario administers and maintains this small stretch of rapids.

Madawaska River

The Madawaska River around Palmer Rapids is one of the best places to get started in whitewater paddling.

There are several places to access the river. You can paddle the small section just upstream from the Paddler Co-Op. This section can easily be portaged over and over. Paddle downstream, grab your boat and hike back up to repeat it.

The Lower Madawaska is good for knowledgeable beginners, whereas the Upper Madawaska is for expert paddlers.

Spanish River

The Spanish River is a multi-day wilderness trip destination. You’ll need whitewater experience to paddle this.

One of the cool parts of the trip is that the shuttle vehicle is a train. The train line between Sudbury and White River features a couple of freight cars that carry your canoe and gear. The track parallels the Spanish River for much of the way so you can choose where you want to get off.

The crux of the Western Fork of the Spanish River is the mighty and aptly named “C3 Rapids” as they are Class III whitewater along 400 metres of rocks, turns, braids and shelves. You will need to know what you’re doing to paddle this section. Otherwise choose the portage option.

Further downstream the 20-kilometre “Royal Ride” is a meandering downhill rollercoaster of swifts and mild Class I rapids. It’s an absolute blast.

Multiple outfitters guide Spanish River trips including Black Feather and MHO. And Chrismar makes an essential map of the river including tips on rapids and which ones to avoid.

French River

Located just north of Parry Sound, the French River is a classic spot for an introduction to whitewater. Many outfitters run family-friendly trips here. In August, the water is warm, the bugs are mostly gone and it’s just a great time to play in the waves.

The classic French River trip is from Wolesly Bay to Highway 69. It will take between two and five days depending on how fast you travel. You’ll need two vehicles for your group. Exit Highway 69 and leave one vehicle at the French River Supply Post and Marina for when you finish the trip. Then drive all your gear in the second vehicle up to Lodge at Pine Cove, where you can park, unload and get on the water.

You’ll hit the majority of rapids on day one depending on how fast you move. There are some amazing campsites along this stretch. Keep in mind that the Big Parisienne Rapid is the last set of real rapids before Highway 69. It’s worth taking your time on the first day and camping near one of the rapids, especially if you’re looking to practice paddling whitewater.

There are a couple of versions of the French River Paddling Map, including a good one developed by Ontario Parks. Complete with rapid names and camp numbers, you’d be hard-pressed to get lost on the river with this map as your guide. Pick up a copy to start planning your trip at MEC or another outdoor outfitter.

Ottawa River

The mighty Ottawa River is another major center of whitewater paddling in Ontario. The water levels fluctuate wildly throughout the season and offer everything from family-friendly paddling to full-on Class V rapids.

If you’re interested in kayaking whitewater paddling for beginners the Ottawa Kayak School is a great place to learn. Multiple courses are available for different skill levels.

Otherwise, the Ottawa River is an intermediate to advanced river. Be sure to speak to local outfitters about where is safe to paddle and what the water levels are like before getting in the water. Wilderness Tours offers a plethora of packages from multi-day rafting trips to single afternoons and family-friendly options. OWL Rafting offers similar experiences.

Missinaibi River

The pièce de résistance of Ontario whitewater paddling is the Missinaibi River.

Flowing from Missinaibi Lake into the Moose River and then into James Bay, this is a seriously remote river with lots of whitewater. This river requires confidence and experience. Trips on the Missinaibi can last from five to over 25 days depending on which sections you want to do and how long you want to be out there.

Outfitters like Black Feather and MHO offer multiple options on the Missinaibi.

Legendary Canadian paddler Hap Wilson produced an incredibly detailed guidebook called Missinaibi: Journey to the Northern Sky.