You don’t need any river experience, but some physical fitness and swimming ability is recommended

To participate, you need to be:

• Age 10 and up (children must be closely supervised by their guardian(s) and be mature, respectful, and able to pay attention to safety instructions)
• Physically active, with average swimming ability
• Free of COVID symptoms, with no history of contact with somebody who screened positive or was presumptive positive with the past 14 days.

The safety of everybody in the group is always our number one priority. The most important factor is our instructors’ years of experience, training, and knowledge of the river.

Many people think of whitewater as extreme. But in fact, with the right approach to decision making, we have a lot of control. Throughout the day, as you learn about how the river works, you’ll see that whitewater is 100% predictable.

Safety practices

• Our instructors have extensive and current industry-leading safety credentials and certification. Every trip has a minimum of 2 guides with Wilderness First Responder (an 80-hour medical course) and Whitewater Rescue Technician certification—As well, many of our instructors teach those disciplines
• Each trip carries 2 cell phones. They are always carried by the guides in separate waterproof containers in different boats
• Each trip carries an extensive first aid kit, river safety equipment, and an AED (defibrillator)
• All activities are ‘challenge by choice’. It is up to you if you want to participate in a given activity

Of course, river travel and whitewater paddling have inherent risks. We ask that you read through and sign our Liability Release Form before you arrive.

Please contact us if you have questions about safety. It’s one of our specialties and we enjoy talking about it. As lifelong wilderness travellers, our guides feel more safe on a river than they do on city streets—and our primary goal is that we want you to feel the same way!

What to expect

Paddle an upper section of the Te-Nagàdino-Zìbi (Gatineau River) by kayaraft or raft, and camp out for two nights with all of your food, camping, and paddling equipment provided.

Practice swimming in swiftwater and reading the river while also developing your paddling skills in a safe and fun environment. All whitewater sections are “challenge by choice,” so there is always a way to opt out.

Surround yourself with nature. This waterway winds through the tall pines and rocky outcrops of the Canadian Shield.

This is a great way to bond during an active, outdoor adventure.

We’ll outfit you with your own kayaraft, which is a stable, inflatable kayak. These boats are great for practicing because they’re stable and easy to steer. We’ll also provide all of your other paddling gear, a tent, inflatable camping mattress, and everything for the camp kitchen. You will need your own sleeping bag and personal gear. (See “what to bring” below for details.)

The group will have three guides and a large river raft, which you can hop into anytime if you prefer to be in a guided boat.

You’ll have a backcountry vacation and gain experience in both camping and a broad range of river skills. Also, you can relax around camp and have fun in the water.

Prep

• Book online, or contact us anytime
• Start your learning with a 25 minute online mini-course with videos 
• Fill out your personal information forms (including dietary preferences), and sign your digital waiver

Your day on the river

Day One

We will raft through some rapids to our private campsite on an island. Your comfortable camp will be ready when you get there, and the guides will prepare an excellent meal made from seasonal and locally-sourced fresh foods.

• Go to the meeting location near Maniwaki, QC for 10:00 am on the first day. Allow two hours for the drive from Ottawa
• Leave your car here (we will come back to it by mid-afternoon on the last day)
• Get your dry bag and load up your gear in the shuttle bus that will take us upriver
• Learn briefly about the rafts, the river, and keeping yourself safe.
• Lunch
• Head out on the river! You will embark on guided rafts to navigate the rapids and paddle to your campsite for the night
• Arrive to your already-built campsite and make yourself comfortable
• Enjoy a delicious dinner right on the river and with a campfire

Day Two

Using the kayarafts, we will explore nearby rapids and you will hone your whitewater, safety and river running knowledge with our top notch guides and instructors. We will be staying close to the camp so you can chose how much time you want to spend on the water!

• Start with a big camp breakfast
• Custom-designed day to fit the abilities and interest of every person in our small group. This includes whitewater paddling and instruction, swimming, and hiking.
• Delicious lunch and dinner on the island
• Special evening activity tonight! (This differs with each trip)

Day Three

We will leave the camp and spend the morning rafting down the river to our vehicles.

• Relaxed breakfast and time to pack up your personal items
• Head downstream on the rafts through some fun rapids and swiftwater (speak with your instructor if you would like to try heading downstream on the kayarafts!)
• Practice in the rapids and enjoy time to play in the river
• Lunch  
• Arrive by river to our finishing point, and your car, by mid-afternoon to wrap up the trip and say goodbye

On your 3-day Gatineau river adventure

Your planning for this trip should be easy: you just need to get yourself to our meeting location with outdoor clothing and we take care of the rest.

Check out all the lists below. Remember for clothing: it’s best to avoid cotton and denim. We highly recommend Merino wool for all underwear, socks, base layers, and mid-layers.

As always, if you have any questions give us a call or send us an email. We’re here to help.

• Your professional guides are always available (maximum 4:1 participant to guide ratio) and will adjust the skill level of the activities to fit your abilities and interests.
• All ground transportation between the meeting location and the location of our boat-launch.
• 2 nights fully guided camping — your guides will make sure you stay warm and comfortable.
• All meals and snacks from day-1 lunch through day-3 lunch—amazing and locally-sourced food! Please let us know your dietary preferences.
• We bring enough wine and beer for two drinks per person per night.
• 25 minute online learning (optional, to complete beforehand)—you can do it on your phone—covering river hydrology and whitewater safety principles
  
  Equipment provided:
• Inflatable whitewater kayak (self-bailing) and kayak paddle
• Raft and raft paddle
• Wetsuit (4/3 mm)
• Helmet and PFD (lifejacket)
• Large drybag (to store your camping gear and extra clothes)
• Tent – you get a tent to yourself unless you’re a couple or want to share
• Comfortable sleep system (high-quality inflatable mattress and pillow). You can rent a high quality sleeping bag from us or bring your own.
• All kitchen equipment, including water-purification and handwashing system.
• Group shelter
• Composting toilet where you can have privacy and a great view

The weather and water temperature in the summer on the Gatineau river are warm.

We’ll provide you with a wetsuit (4/3mm) that you can wear if you want to. It’s a good idea to bring at least one complete layer of merino wool or synthetic clothing to wear under your wetsuit

Bring two sets of clothes and footwear: one for on the water and hiking, the other for evenings at camp. Remember: avoid cotton—it doesn’t dry and doesn’t insulate when it’s wet.

Please also bring a pair of surf shorts or quick-dry shorts to wear over your wetsuit—they’ll help protect our wetsuits when you sit!

Packing list for camp

• Sleeping bag, rated to 10°c or below – you can rent one from us for $79 CAD
• 1 pair of shoes (old running shoes or closed toe clogs—something to keep your feet safe and dry)
• 2 or 3 pairs of thermal socks (1 or 2 different weights is a good idea)
• Undergarments (synthetic or Merino wool)
• Lightweight t-shirt (synthetic or Merino wool)
• Lightweight long-sleeve shirt (synthetic or Merino wool)
• Lightweight ‘quick dry’ long pants (synthetic or Merino wool)
• Thick fleece or wool sweater
• Top and bottom medium-weight synthetic or wool long underwear
• Rain gear top and bottom
• Toque (wool or fleece winter hat)
• Sun hat
• Small quick-dry towel
• Headlamp with extra batteries
• Sunscreen, lip protection, and insect repellent
• Water bottle, 1 litre
• Sunglasses with strap
• Prescription glasses with strap if necessary
• Toiletry kit with biodegradable soap and shampoo as well as personal medications
• Optional: reading material, journal, binoculars, camera (waterproof or with waterproof case)
• Optional: fishing rod with tackle and hard carrying case.

Packing list for the river

• 1 pair of shoes for the river. The ideal river shoe is lightweight and draining yet supportive enough for walking on portages and scouting rapids, with a grippy sole. These can be lightweight running shoes, water shoes with a supportive sole, or sturdy sandals with toe covering (not crocs).
• 2 pairs of thermal socks for the river: wool, fleece, or synthetic
• Bathing suit / surf shorts—important to wear over the wetsuit that we will provide you to protect our wetsuit when you’re sitting
• Lightweight synthetic t-shirt – Merino wool or synthetic
• Top and bottom medium-weight synthetic or wool long underwear
• Long-sleeved neoprene ‘surf’ top or long-sleeved medium-weight fleece top
• Thick fleece or wool sweater
• Thick fleece pants

General Packing

• Clothes for the trip home
• Personal medications and other personal items you might need