By Adrick Brock
Class III rapids aren’t your average family destination. There are rocks to worry about, plus ledges, drops, undercuts, hydraulics. But the river is also a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts looking for the catharsis that accompanies facing your fears, and according to the Madawaska Kanu Centre, the whole family should be there for the experience.
The MKC is nestled into the bank of the Madawaska River, a two-hour drive from Ottawa, Ontario. Canada’s oldest whitewater school is run by Claudia Van Wijk and her husband Dirk. With two daughters of their own, the Van Wijk’s understand the importance of paddling together as a family. “Paddling is a lifestyle sport,” says Claudia Van Wijk. “It’s so important that your kids fall in love with it alongside you.”
The real draw to their Family Week program, according to Van Wijk, is that you arrive together as a family but are challenged at your own individual level. You may prefer canoeing, for instance, but your spouse may be a kayaker. Kids are grouped together, meaning you get to focus on your strokes while your children rip around at their own fearless pace. Classes are small, split by skill level, and lead by certified instructors.
The Madawaska river itself provides an idyllic . . .
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