ORCKA Communiqué
March 1, 2026

    • Are you interested in doing some part-time work for ORCKA?  We are looking for a member (someone who is very familiar with ORCKA and our programs) who would be interested in part-time remote work. This is an administrative role so good computer skills and communication skills are essential. Training will be provided. If interested please contact Barb at info@orcka.ca.

  • The ORCKA Program has changed! Please Read!

    • 2026 ORCKA Program Progression Chart

    • Who Can Teach What

    • Basic Canoeing Instructor Refinement – for 2026

      • A Basic Canoeing Instructor 1 (Tandem Only) certification has been introduced!

        • This will make it easier for some Basic Canoeing Instructors to gain certification  to instruct Basic Canoeing Levels 1-3 (Tandem) and Safe Canoeing programs.

      • The Current Basic Instructor Certification becomes a Basic Canoeing Instructor 2

        • A new Prerequisite for this course will be CSP Level 1A. (Previously candidates would   earn CSP Level 1A and B during the BCI course). Now, because they would have that entering the course they will only have to earn CSP Level 1B for the paddling skills component.

      • Current Basic Instructors will be grandfathered to Basic Canoeing Instructor 2’s.

    • ORCKA SUP Bridge Program May 16-18: Calling All Interested Instructors!!

      • If you are a current ORCKA Instructor in any discipline, this Bridge Course is an opportunity to become an ORCKA SUP Instructor 1 in a shortened course that by-passes most of the Instructor components (because participants are already Instructors) and focuses on improving SUP Paddling skills to at least SUP Level 2.

      • This allows you the opportunity to become certified as a SUP Instructor on the long weekend in May. Look for more course details at 2026 SUP BridgeCourse or Contact Wally Van Dyke

    • ORCKA’s Adaptive Program Expansion for 2026:

      • As we integrate Adaptive Paddling into the broader ORCKA Program, we look forward to expanding beyond physical needs to also include mental and emotional health needs in a “Paddling for Wellness” model. Key features of this expansion will be rolled out in an addendum to the manuals and be highlighted in the June Adaptive Paddling Train-the-Trainers workshop listed under ORCKA Events below.

    • 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.

    • To assist you with your Risk Management Plan we had a webinar and developed a word template.  Click here to have a look at these resources.  Please copy the template and rename it rather than write over this document.  Thank-you!

    • Please submit your completed Risk Management Plan by email in PDF or Word format to: ORCKA Office. 

    • When naming your document, please include your organization name and the submission date, for example: Your Organization Name_ RMP_March 2026

  • Now is the time to plan your courses and trips! 

    Steps:

    1. Login to Renew your ORCKA Membership

    2. Register for Recertification Clinic (if required)

    3. Submit your Risk Management Plan by March 15th

    4. Hire your Instructors / Trip Leaders (ensuring appropriate current certifications)

    5. Prepare your Curriculum and Share Your Risk Management Plans with Instructors

    6. Register your Courses with ORCKA and Order Badges, as needed

    7. Promote your Courses (we will help make Connections!)

    8. Add Participants to your ORCKA Course in the database

    9. Run your Course and Assess Participant skills

    10. Record Participant Results in ORCKA Database

    • Well done, Carl and Team!! A BIG THANKS to all of the members who made the time to support ORCKA at the latest Outdoor Show. So well set up and organized. Computers with large screens pointing out to the public so they could see how to navigate the website and find courses. Very clever!

    • Special thanks also to Andy Owens, Paula Hilborn, Rachel Quilty, Ryan, Edwin and Wally for our first ORCKA Adaptive Paddling Pool Session. One of the viewers who was inspired by Rachel’s one-armed use of the Angle Oar (thanks so much Rachel for your very brave participation!), said to Paula afterward “I’ve been waiting for this my whole life. Everyone has told me I can’t do this and can’t do that, but I now know I can!”. What a wonderful tribute!

    • Do you have something special you would like to have included in a 50th Anniversary edition of Canews planned for publication in 2026? What is something you believe was significant enough to include? If it is a story, 500 words or fewer. Please send your unique memories to info@orcka.ca.

    1. Ontario Solo Canoeing Rendezvous (“OSCR”) - Friday-Sunday, June 19-21, 2026. In Peterborough, 5 minutes from the Canadian Canoe Museum.

      • 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 for registration in spring 2026.

        • Please contact Lee at environment@orcka.ca for participant or sponsorship information.

    2. 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.

    1. RA Canoe Camping Club (RACCC)

      • Three in-person events planned in March.

    2. Canadian Canoe Museum

      • March 12, Speaker Series:

        • D’Arcy Jenish on the remarkable life of David Thompson.

    3. 11th Annual Two Row on the Grand

      • Registration opens March 15, 2026

    4. Wilderness Canoe Association webinar - March 24th.

    5. Get Kids Paddling Webinar - March 25, 2026

    6. The Paddle Project 2026

      • March 28, 2026: An artistic exhibition and auction of painted canoe paddles at the North Bay Museum, ON.

    7. Get Kids Paddling is launching an initiative to develop The National Registry of Paddling Programs for Youth. The aim is to locate and highlight all paddling programs for youth taking place across Canada, including those within schools and communities. By putting this information into one place that is publicly accessible, opportunities for networking, creating dialogue and sharing best practices will be created, supporting our ongoing mission to Get Kids Paddling. We are looking for school-based paddling programs across Canada to complete a short survey.

      • The data gathered will be used to build our National Registry.

        • If you are interested in participating, please click HERE to fill out the survey.

    8. An Epic Adventure: Canada’s Centennial Voyageur Canoe Pageant

      • This book by Adrien J. Lefebvre tells the story of a phenomenal piece of Canadian history – the 1967 Canadian Centennial Voyageur Canoe Pageant, a race that stretched across the Canadian wilderness to celebrate the country’s 100th birthday. Available on Amazon.ca.

    9. 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! 

    10. Rankin River Canoe Rally- May 23, 2026 Bruce Peninsula:

      • This is a friendly, family-friendly competition, and our first goal is for all participants to have an enjoyable day on the water.

    11. 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.

    12. 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!

    13. Trip Guide and Instructor Opportunities

      • Algonquin Nature Adventures

        • We are looking for a canoe guide for daily 5-hr guided canoe tours in Algonquin Park. Involves bringing groups up to 10 on a 12 km tour (incl. a 100 m portage) with short stops at points of interests to explain/answer questions (heritage site, swimming stop, possible wildlife viewing).

        • Contact Baz at 426 823 7382 or algonquin.nature.adventures@gmail.com

      • Canoe Toronto Corp

        • 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.

    • Mandatory Lifejacket Focus: With a high number of paddling fatalities (over 50 in Ontario over five years), the OPP and safety groups are increasing pressure on voluntary or regulatory compliance for wearing lifejackets at all times. Between 2020-2024, 34 canoeists died in marine incidents, 17 kayakers died and five people died while paddleboarding. Source:CTV News.

    • Endangered Rivers List: Paddle Canada has initiated a "Threatened Waterways Designation" to highlight Canadian rivers in need of immediate support due to environmental threats. 

      • e.g., Stikine River Threatened: Plans for mine expansion on the Stikine River, a renowned paddling destination, have prompted calls for stricter environmental protections.

    • Climate Change Impacting Waterways: Warmer winters are making ice on popular paddling routes (like the Rideau Canal) less consistent and safe, affecting shoulder-season, year-round paddling, and winter activities.

    • Piping Plovers at Risk: In response to the loss of provincial protections, Ecojustice has filed a formal request on behalf of Environmental Defence and Ontario Nature, calling on the federal Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature Julie Dabrusin, to recommend an Emergency Order under the federal Species at Risk Act.

    • The emergency order request seeks immediate protection for critical piping plover habitat at Wasaga Beach. With the nesting season approaching, conservation groups are calling for action by March 1, 2026, noting that further delays could have serious consequences for the species’ survival and recovery in Ontario. Source: Ontario Nature.

  • 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.

  • There are many ways for you to contact us and get your questions answered. 

    • Board

      • Select an email for the Executive member or Committee Chair in the portfolio that relates to your question.

    • membership@orcka.ca

      • For inquiries about certifications and membership numbers.

    • school-liaison@orcka.ca

      • For all inquiries in relation to paddling with school groups and/or the OPHEA/OPASSE Safety Standards for the 2025-2026 school year with respect to water activities.

    • 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.

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