Free Seniors Paddling to Wellness on the Water sessions delivered by the Ottawa New Edinburgh Club (ONEC), in partnership with the Odawa Native Friendship Centre, Rideau Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre, and Ottawa Senior Pride Network. Funded by the Government of Canada through the New Horizons for Seniors Program.

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There will be two elements to the program and eligible individuals are welcome to sign up for either or both:

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Big Canoe: A three-hour introduction to paddling a Rabaska Big Canoe. Participants will learn how to paddle a Big Canoe together with up to 9 other paddlers. The session will cover basic canoe strokes, team commands and learning to paddle in unison, culminating in an outing along the Ottawa River (past the base of the Rideau Falls).

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Kayaking: A three-hour introduction to Kayaking session.  The session will cover getting into and out of a kayak from the dock, basic kayak paddle strokes, and safety training (including what to do in the event of a capsize). All successful participants will also receive a complementary club membership for 2026 allowing them to paddle ONEC kayaks throughout the summer and join our social group paddles on Wednesdays and Fridays (at no cost).

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Each session will be led by a qualified Paddle Canada kayak instructor/canoe leader, assisted by volunteer seniors from within ONEC’s paddling membership.  At the end of each session, participants will be invited to gather socially over coffee/tea/soft drinks together with snacks in the ONEC Waterfront Room in the NCC River House.

 

Sessions are free and open to adults aged 55+ and no previous paddling experience is required. Participants should be able to swim 25 metres (with a lifejacket) and have no issue with going up and down stairs.  All equipment, safety gear, and instruction are provided.

 

You can register below for individual sessions. If registration is full, please e-mail us at paddling@onec.ca to express your interest in this program and any dates you would like to be wait listed for.