ORCKA Communiqué
January 1, 2026
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Memberships renew on January 1st – We hope you decide to join us again next year!
Note: there are no changes to our 2026 insurance coverage. However Organizational Members are required to submit their current (updated) Risk Management Plan to info@orcka.ca by March 15, 2026. (For more details, see below.)
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RMP Submission — Due March 15, 2026
To maintain your eligibility for insurance, all Organizational Members and Trip Leaders are required to submit a current Risk Management Plan by March 15, 2026.
If you are an Instructor, you can support the organization(s) you work with by assisting them in reviewing and updating their plans.
The purpose of this webinar is to offer guidance to members in the creation or updating of their Risk Management Plans (RMP).
We will guide you through the questions you need to consider about your organization and its activities to understand the inherent risks and what safety standards and procedures should be put in place to help mitigate the risk. It will apply to ORCKA courses across all disciplines, including day and overnight trips.
There will be some discussion and sharing on crisis management but the focus of this webinar is on prevention and preparedness. Examples and tools will be provided as well as follow-up support. REGISTER HERE
Please submit your completed Risk Management Plan by email in PDF or Word format to: ORCKA Office. Use this Risk Management Plan Guide to gather the necessary information and ensure all key components are covered.
When naming your document, please include your organization name and the submission date, for example: Your Organization Name_ RMP_March 2026
If you have any questions, please contact us at ORCKA Office
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Yes, some of our Organizational Members have already posted Instructor courses for 2026!
Is it your year to recertify? You will be prompted when you renew your membership if it is.
Get your courses listed on the website before February 20 to ensure they are advertised to the public at the Outdoor Adventure Show.
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Upcoming Communiqués will highlight some of the newest features of the ORCKA Program, including:
Basic Canoeing Instructor Refinement
ORCKA SUP Bridge Program
ORCKA’s Adaptive Program Expansion
Contact Wally Van Dyke for more information
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ORCKA needs your help! We are looking for dedicated ORCKA paddlers to volunteer for a three hour shift at our booth at the upcoming Outdoor Adventure and Travel Show February 20-22, 2026 at the International Centre in Mississauga. Your duties will include informing, promoting, and connecting interested paddlers with the various programs that we offer.
We are also looking for strong individuals to demonstrate their skills in SUP, basic canoeing, and kayaking in 30-minute pool demonstrations.
For volunteering, you will receive an ORCKA t-shirt and free admission to the event. If you are interested please contact Carl Kellum at promotion@orcka.ca
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Do you have something special you would like to have included in a 50th Anniversary edition of Canews? What is something you believe was significant enough to include? Please send your unique memories to info@orcka.ca.
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ORCKA Regions 3, 5 and 6 Planning Meeting - February 2026
Regions 3, 5 and 6, the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), are holding its first on-line planning meeting for 2026 on Feb 17, 2026.
Interested in attending?
Please complete the following form.
For more information contact your local Regional Representative:
Region 3: Greg Derbyshire:
Region 5: Steve Turner & Dave Goldman:
Region 6: Jared Ball:
Rideau Paddlefest- Saturday June 13, 2026
Celebrate the river’s nature, history, culture and benefits with the Rideau Roundtable: Voyageur canoe races, canoe dance with ORCKA, Wooden Canoe Heritage Association, and more. Kinsmen’s Lower Reach Park in Smiths Falls, ON.Please contact Lee at environment@orcka.ca to join the dance!
Ontario Solo Canoeing Rendezvous (“OSCR”) - Friday-Sunday, June 19-21, 2026
A multi-organizational collaborative event:
Potluck and speakers Friday evening
Curator-guided tour of the “back-room collection” of the spectacular Canadian Canoe Museum
WCHA Northern Lakes Chapter Mini-Assembly and Huron 14’ restoration
Many canoes from many manufacturers to try
Amazing offerings at a silent auction
Canoeing clinics to add functional flair to your paddling. Come share, play, and learn! Watch ORCKA Coming Events (https://www.orcka.ca/events-coming) for registration in spring 2026. Please contact Lee at environment@orcka.ca for participant or sponsorship information.
ORCKA’s Adaptive Paddling Train-the-Trainers workshop at the Canadian Canoe Museum - Thursday-Sunday, June 25-28, 2026. Watch ORCKA Coming Events for registration in spring 2026. Please contact Wally Van Dyke for more information.
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Roger Parsons has been inducted into the International Whitewater Hall of Fame.
This prestigious honour recognizes his lifelong dedication to paddling, his remarkable achievements on the water, and his contributions to the broader whitewater community.
We invite you to read this wonderful write-up highlighting his accomplishments and celebrating this well-deserved recognition. You may recognize some other past ORCKA members in this tribute.
On May 2, 2026 The Canadian Canoe Museum will host a special evening to celebrate the 2025 IWHOF Inductees surrounded by history, culture, and craftsmanship. Sign up to be notified when tickets become available!
WMA Wilderness First Aid
Friday, January 16 to Saturday, January 17, 2026 in Kitchener.
January 22nd - Paddling Film Festival Premier (6-10pm)
The Complete Paddler hosts the Premiere of the Paddling Film Festival at the Toronto International Boat Show. One hundred percent of the night’s proceeds will be going directly to Project Canoe, a Toronto-based youth charity program.
Canadian Canoe Museum - Stained Glass Canoe Workshops
Saturday, January 24 & 31, 2026
Get Kids Paddling Webinar
Wednesday, January 28th, 2026, 7:30 pm EST
Louise de Lannoy (Executive Director - Outdoor Play Canada)
Jacky Chan (Head of Land-Based Learning for the Lac des Mille Lacs Education Schools in Thunder Bay, Ontario)
More information and Registration, click here.
Big Canoe Instructor Opportunity
Canoe Toronto Corp. operates 1-hour guided Canoe tours for clients. The company wishes to hire ORCKA Big Canoe Certified/Emergency First Aid with CPR Certified Canoe Instructors to safely stern Canoe tours for the April to October 2026 season on a contract basis. Contact Peter Altimas at peter.altimas@gmail.com for more information.
Note: if you are interested in becoming an ORCKA Voyageur Canoe Trip Leader or ORCKA Voyageur Canoe Instructor 1 or Instructor 2, you can do so in a Voyageur Canoe Course Saturday-Wednesday May 23-27, 2026 at Agnew Lake in Webbwood. Please contact Wally Van Dyke for more information.
41st Wilderness and Canoe Symposium - February 21, 2026 (9:00am-6:30pm)
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ORCKA has regional representatives covering 16 regions in Ontario.
A list of these reps can be accessed here.
A map of the 16 regions can be accessed here.
These reps are to assist member organizations, instructors and the paddling public with course and program information.
If you have not done so already, feel free to email the rep in your area to be a part of the ORCKA community communication network.
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There are many ways for you to contact us and get your questions answered.
Select an email for the Executive member or Committee Chair in the portfolio that relates to your question.
For inquiries about certifications and membership numbers.
ORCKA Regional Representatives
For anything related to your region.
Email info@orcka.ca and you will be directed to the appropriate contact.
Remember to indicate your membership number in the subject line to expedite the process.
Phone 416-426-7016
Email canews@orcka.ca to submit ideas and suggestions.