» CReW: A weekend on the Ottawa The Cornwall Recreational Whitewater Club

Thursday, August 7th, 2008...11:38 pm

CReW: A weekend on the Ottawa

August 1st through the 3rd saw Sylvie, Emily, Cheryl, Daylan, Pierre, Susan, Doug and I back on the Ottawa river for another fun filled session.
This time around we were joined by Zachary Zwanenburg and Sean Hakvoort who had a weekend off during their 3 week stay with the Keeners at OKS. Sweet, our very own Ottawa River Guides!
Friday evening was a play session on 7/8 hole (or as many call it 7up) as well as some time on Odessey. The river levels are still high for this time of year. Saturday, despite the less than cooperative weather was awesome. Sylvie, Cheryl and Emily stayed at McKoys to play. Susan and Doug enjoyed some flat water paddling together around the various islands in the river. Zachary, Sean Daylan and I took on the main channel. What a blast. The water water was high enough to enjoy a little used route around the Lorne (far right around the island) and this offered and excellent chance for Daylan to learn about lines and how to make your line. He did great.
Waikiki was a blast. Brain Douche was intense and Coliseum was memorable. Big Kahuna was in fine form and gave me a surf to remember. The kids had a whole lot of fun at Lemings leap and the rest of the ride down was just plain old fun. I really enjoy the time that I get to paddle with my son. His progress at keeners is very evident and he is goingto be fun to watch in the coming years. (Just a bit harder for me to follow…..)
Sean and Daylan are also coming around very well. Sean has been learning a lot at Keeners and it shows. (Steven Wright called him “hard core” and the description fit very well!) Daylan just keeps surpirising me. His determination and enthusiasme for the sport is inspiring. Glad he is part of our group.
Sunday was a beautiful day and we all decided to run the Middle Channel together. Susan and Doug got their first river running experience together in the tandem. Good times! Good swims too! :).
Emily got her first really serious beatdown in Butterfly hole! It blew everyone away. She was thrown around like a doll and when she finally flushed she took 4 serious attempts at rolls and finally rolled up on the last attempt. Tears were flowing and her mom gave her the necessary hugs. Everyone else got together to give her the praise she deserved for her perseverance. And it paid off. She got right back in and rode the butterfly wave (on the left) like a pro! I am soooo proud.
Daylan Zach, Cheryl and I had fun running little trickle and of course everyone enjoyed Angels Kiss.
The highlight for me was running WT chute with my son. Sylvie was adamant that Daylan was not allowed to run this one. (Something about the risk of the serious undercuts… Sorry Daylan but I had to agree with her on this one. Next time maybe).
All in all it was great fun.
Wneh we left the mighty Ottawa on Sunday evening everyone learned a bit, smiled a lot and went home satisfied.
FYI: If you want to enjoy the Ottawa and need to stay somewhere reasonable and well located. Check out the Curtis Cabins. They are located just below Odessey and McKoys. You will not be disappointed.