Stand Up Paddling Bridge Course
May Long Weekend - May 16-18, 2026
ORCKA offers Bridge courses occasionally when program uptake is needed.
ORCKA really needs more SUP Instructors!
If you are an instructor in any other discipline, you can quickly earn your SUP Instructor Certification in this shortened Instructor 1 course at a reduced fee.
Please contact Wally Van Dyke for more information.
CSP 1, 2 or 3
Solo Canoe Coaching
May 26-28th 2026
Bon Echo Prov Park, Mazinaw Lake Paddling, Campsite 139 or other
Tuesday – arrive after 3 pm with canoe, tent, food etc all you need for 2 nights in May.
Paddling sessions offered, Tues. evening, Wed. Early morning, later morning and evening, Thursday early and later morning
Wed pm – relax , hike , visit
Depart Thursday 11 to 1 pm, May stay in park later.
Cost: $100 paid to Margaret Harper plus your vehicle, food and another site if wished
Information and other forms margharper61@gmail.com
Margaret Harper , Lindsay ON, CSP Instr 2 Trainer
Rideau Paddlefest
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Smith’s Falls, ON
Celebrate the river’s nature, history, culture and benefits with the Rideau Roundtable’s Paddlefest and Voyageur canoe races and tours. Kinsmen’s Lower Reach Park in Smiths Falls, ON.
Unfortunately, because this event now coincides with the OSCR (below), ORCKA and WCHA will not be able to officially attend.
Photo credits: L. Benson (top-left) and Chris Uhlrig
THE ONTARIO SOLO CANOEING RENDEZVOUS:
THE “OSCR” OF CANOEING EVENTS! INCLUDING THE “WCHA” MINI-ASSEMBLY
2:00 pm Friday afternoon, June 19, 2026 to noon on Sunday, June 21, 2026 - Peterborough, Ontario
Each participant needs to register individually
Our secure site will ask for:
Which nights you will camp (if any)
your particulars (name, address, emergency contact info, etc.)
your canoeing experience
what you hope to learn
which activities you plan to attend
waiver completion. Note: Waivers for under 18 must be signed by a parent or guardian. Only 16+ can paddle solo, and participants 16 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Have your credit card handy to pay the event fee and camping fees. You can only register for yourself. Each participant must complete their own registration form. (parents/guardians can do a second registration for a child under 18 years)
What are the fees?
Event fee:
$50 per person plus HST ($56.50). This is for the event.
Tent camping (Optional):
Group camping (tents only) $10 plus HST ($11.30) per person per night. Spaces are limited so register early.
Information about hotel accommodations can be found on our events page. Book directly with hotel.
Optional fees we do not collect here and will be charged at the event:
Museum Collection Hall Tour: Friday June 19th at 2:00pm with curator Jeremy Ward. Special OSCR rate for this tour is $34 adults and $32 for seniors, plus HST (Note: admission to the main exhibits is extra). Pay at the museum. Spaces are limited - so sign up here**
General Museum Admission (does not include the Collection Hall): OSCR participants will get the Museum’s Group Rate per entry of $18 adults and $16 for seniors plus HST. You will need to self-identify at the front desk in any group size (not the usual 8) with proof of registration. Pay at the museum.
Gratuity for canoeing instructors.
Purchases from our fabulous sponsors.
Contributions to our Silent Auction.
After Registering
You will receive proof of payment. An information package on what to bring, where to meet, etc. will follow.
Ready to Register?
*Registration is open until Wednesday, June 17th, 2026. Each participant must register individually.
Who’s it for?
This event is for you if you are:
joining the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA) Mini-Assembly and/or
a solo canoeist (style, white-water, or tripper) from 16 to 100+
Note: If you are not already a solo canoeist, the on-water solo clinics will be too advanced for you. Keep learning, and we’ll see you next year. WCHA tandem paddlers and other tandem paddlers will be accepted. Please ask Lee at environment@orcka.ca.
What’s the agenda?
On the water - Share, play, learn.
Saturday. Skill-building in a non-competitive, non-course environment. Learn efficient functional solopaddling with flairwith famous and not-so-famous awesome certified instructors. Canoes to try from four manufacturers and paddles from two and more from our wonderful sponspors.
Friday afternoon/Saturday morning. Group paddling demonstrations at the Canadian Canoe Museum (Museum)
Sunday morning. Lift-lock paddle (Sunday - ride up and down! 😊). Tandem paddling encouraged!
Off the water
Friday afternoon (2 pm). Join the Curator-led Museum Collection Tour at our special rate.
Friday evening. Enjoy a potluck dinner and canoeing show ‘n’ tell slideshows. View Silent Auction items.
Saturday (all day). Watch Wooden Canoe Heritage Association (WCHA) members from the Ontario Northern Lakes Chapter restoring a cedar-canvas 14’ Huron solo canoe. See WCHA displays.
Saturday (all day). See sponsor displays and try out paddles and canoes.
Friday/Saturday nights. Stay at our Beavermead Campground Group Site (tenting only) or Peterborough’s many hotels or our two sponsoring hotels.
Saturday evening. Silent Auction and campfire slideshow at our Beavermead Campground Group Site.
** Spaces are limited and registration is required. **
Note: Only 16+ can paddle solo, and participants 16 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
For more information (especially if you’re unsure about your canoeing skills), please email Lee at environment@orcka.ca.
Accommodation Options
Tent spaces at our Group Camp Site $10/night/person plus HST.
Have an RV? Book with Beavermead Campground directly to be near the group.
We arranged some time-limited discounts at two Peterborough hotels
Best Western Plus Otonabee Inn (84 Lansdowne St E, Peterborough, ON K9J 7N9), on Meade Creek. From here, you can paddle to Rogers Cove. Cdn $179.95 + taxes.
Make reservations by May 19, 2026. (10 rooms available.) Call 705-742-3454 and reference “O.S.C.R.” or use this link.
Comfort Hotel & Suites, 1209 Lansdowne St. West, Peterborough, ON, K9J 7M2. A short (12 min) drive to Rogers Cove. Cdn $174 + taxes.
Make reservations by before Friday, Jun 19, 2026. (15 rooms available). Call 705-740-7000 & use Group Name: Ontario Solo Canoe Rendezvous; Group Number: YH18T8 or use this link.
How do I sign up? CLICK the Solo Canoeist on the right →→→
Pre-registration is required. Registration closes on Tuesday June 16th at midnight.
Note: Under 18 must be registered and accompanied by a parent or guardian.
ORCKA’s Adaptive Paddling Train-the-Trainers Workshop
From/To:
9:00 am, Thursday June 25, 2026
4:00 pm, Saturday June 27, 2026
Canadian Canoe Museum
Registration - Spring 2026.
Please contact Wally Van Dyke for more information.
Public Regatta
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Abilities in Motion will be holding its public regatta at Earl Rowe Provincial Park near Alliston, ON- Saturday, August 22, 2026. Please contact Lee at environment@orcka.ca or Andy to join a style paddling group, friendly competition and fun canoe games to increase awareness of adaptive paddling.
