Risk Management Plans - Webinar
Wednesday February 11th, 2026 - 7:00 pm
A risk management plan is a structured approach to identifying, assessing, and addressing potential risks that could impact the safety, success, and legal responsibilities of an activity or operation. It helps ensure that everyone involved is prepared to handle unexpected situations effectively, reducing the likelihood of harm and protecting the organization or individuals involved. We are aware that when teaching ORCKA courses there is an element of risk inherent in the activities. To be an ORCKA member in good standing all Organization Members need to have in place a current Risk Management Plan that is actively followed by your instructors, staff, volunteers and trip leaders.
The purpose of this webinar is to offer guidance to members in the creation or updating of their Risk Management Plans. 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.
ORCKA Regions 3, 5 and 6 Planning Meeting
Wednesday February 17th, 2026 - 7:30 pm
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:
Get Kids Paddling - Webinar
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Risk, Responsibility, and Youth Paddling
Candice Stuart & Steve Ruskay
Rideau Paddlefest -
Saturday, June 13, 2026
Celebrate the river’s nature, history, culture and benefits with the Rideau Roundtable’s Paddlefest: 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!
Photo credits: L. Benson (top-left) and Chris Uhlrig
THE ONTARIO SOLO CANOEING RENDEZVOUS:
THE “OSCR” OF CANOEING EVENTS!
On the water - Share, play, learn:
A fun day of skill-building in a non-competitive, non-course environment.
Off the water:
See Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA) members from the Ontario Northern Lakes Chapter restoring a cedar-canvas 14’ Huron solo canoe.
Who’s it for?
There’s brute force…and then there’s finesse. If you’re a style paddler, intermediate canoeist, white-water paddler or tripper from 16 to 100+ you’ll learn some efficient solo functional paddling with flair.
How do I sign up?
While we await some administrative news, please join the mailing list to get an update when registration is open.
Pre-registration will be required.
For more information and to join the mailing list, please email Lee at environment@orcka.ca.
Note: Under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
ORCKA’s Adaptive Paddling Train-the-Trainers Workshop
Thursday-Sunday, June 25-28, 2026.
Canadian Canoe Museum
Registration - Spring 2026.
Please contact Wally Van Dyke for more information.