Week of Rivers Overview

This week is designed to bring intermediate kayakers and canoeists to our favourite river runs. We know and love these sections and wish to share them with you during five days of paddling Ontario and Quebec’s best whitewater! With a group, we can offer a program in BC, too!

MKC Instructors will be your expert River Guides and support team. All the logistics of the trip are pre-arranged so you can focus on your paddling and enjoy a whitewater vacation like none other.

Who is this Course for?

Intermediate level kayakers or canoeists who have experience in Class III whitewater (kayakers must have a solid roll).

Itinerary

*Rivers visited dependent on water levels.

Course Location

Ontario/Quebec:

We return to the hospitality of Madawaska Kanu Centre and our sister company, OWL Rafting on the Ottawa River, after day-long river trips.

Possible Ontario & Quebec Rivers include sections of the Madawaska and Petawawa, The Gatineau, The Upper Rouge, Desert, Ouareau or the Lower Lievre River. We always finish with a fun-filled run down the Middle or Main Channel of the Ottawa River followed by our signature Pontoon BBQ meal cruise back to the OWL base.

BC:

This ‘road trip’ style week will be based out of local Bed & Breakfasts with healthy and delicious meals prepared for you.

Possible BC Rivers include the Mamquam, Cheakamus, Elaho, Ashlu, Callaghan, Bridge, Lions Bay, Fraser, Nahatlach, Stein, Gun & Thompson Rivers. Rivers visited will depend on water levels.

 

Cost

Week of Rivers Ontario/Quebec

$1355 – River Guides and Shuttles
$650 to $900 – Accommodation & Meals. See below for various accommodation & meal packages.

BC

Pricing upon request

Rental Package

$365 (for boat, paddle, helmet, lifejacket). Individual items also available to rent.

Accommodation + Meal Packages for Ontario/Quebec

Shared Lodge Plan* | $900

Our rustic Lodge rooms have everything you need! Choose either a queen bed or 2 twin beds. Rooms are at ground level with nearby washroom facilities (en suite not available). Meals included.

Dormitory Plan* | $750

Dorm room accommodation sleep up to six per room. Dorms are on the second floor with nearby washroom facilities. Meals included. Bring your own bedding.

Camping Plan | $625

MKC's wooded campsites are great for tents, trailers and campervans. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, onsite parking, and access to nearby washroom facilities. Meals included. No electricity.

Check In

The evening before your course between 7 & 10pm

Check Out

Friday at 7pm

*For those booking for one for Glamping, Cabana, Lodge or Dorm: it is likely you will stay with other students of the same gender. To book a private accommodation as an individual is an additional cost.

About our Meals

We take pride in serving healthy, hearty and delicious meals. As a proud member of FeastON, we source locally when possible and add our special touch with herbs and edible flowers from our own garden. Meals start with breakfast the first day of the course and include: 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners plus an après-paddling snack. Coffee, tea and juice are complimentary. BYOB.

Locally roasted specialty coffee and homemade snacks can be purchased from our Riverside Shop & Café.

   

Group Discounts

We welcome groups of 5 or more at a discounted rate (conditions apply)

What do folks think of Week of Rivers?

This week long course really helped build my skills: paddling, safety, river reading and confidence. We saw some gorgeous parts of Ontario and Quebec and were taken great care of by all the MKC staff. Our two instructors were absolutely superb. They brought a level of reflection and gratitude to this activity that was unparalleled

Kate

The WoR was great - the rivers were challenging without being terrifying and the instructors were skilled at motivating each paddler to safely expand their skills. I highly recommend MKC to any paddler.

Sherman

For the Week of Rivers, I had great guides, who go out of their way to make things as exciting as you want them to be!

Henry V

Week of Rivers Ontario & Quebec 2024:

May 27- 31
June 17 – 21
July 29 – August 2

BC Dates by request.

Book Now

Coming with a group? With 5 or more, we can offer custom dates.

Slalom Week

Kayak or canoe in ways you never thought possible. Find the fastest lines using various strokes and maneuvers to turn your boat quickly.

Intermediate
Advanced

$1180 / Per person

COURSE DETAILS
5 Days

Ottawa River Instruction

Kayak the famous Ottawa River with the people who know the river best! River running or freestyle – your choice!

Intermediate
Advanced

$1030 / Per person

COURSE DETAILS
Weekend

Revvv Up Intermediate Kayak

Get warmed up this May long weekend for the new whitewater kayak season! This course is for intermediate kayakers who are feeling a bit nervous this Spring.

Intermediate
Advanced

$618 / Per person

COURSE DETAILS

Reviews

5 star ratingAdventure Rafting Great day adventure rafting with friends and family. From bridge jumping, surfing, flipping the raft and the laughs in between. Thanks to our guide Tatiana for an entertaining 2 hours.
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Sherpa57752201563 Avatar
Sherpa57752201563
8/05/2023
5 star ratingA great week at MKC I have been to MKC many times over the years, and it is a fabulous way to spend a weekend or a week. I did the 5 day kayaking course with my daughter and granddaughter this year. The instruction at MKC is some of the best you will find anywhere in the world. The facilities are beautiful. It is set in a wooded area of north east Ontario. August is a great time to attend because the water is warm, and not a lot of bugs. July may be a bit warmer, , and early September in this area can be very beautiful, and the water is still warm. May and June in this area can be a bit buggy so come prepared if you are going in the early summer.

The river is dam fed from a top release dam, so the conditions are consistent and the water warm-- no need for dry suits-- I think the water was around 80 degrees this past week. The river itself is probably a class 2-3 river, but has some good technical lines for more advanced paddlers.

MKC is great at accommodating all levels of paddlers. I have gone with paddlers who have never been in white water, or a kayak for that matter, and by the end of the week, they are running the river with confidence. I have been doing white water kayaking for around 30 years, and I still learn something new every time I go. More importantly, I have fun with both the family I bring and the staff at the facility.

The business is now being managed by the founder's granddaughter. It is a third generation business. Stefi holds true to her grand parents and parents vision of a top notch teaching facility, but at the same time brings her own touches and personality to the operation. Since Stefi has starting running MKC, I have notice some really nice changes to the facilities, and the food is excellent-- I am vegetarian and really enjoyed the vege dishes. Lots of good looking meat dishes for those who like them. The staff all seem to be very happy and excited to be doing what they are doing. They clearly have a solid team that makes every part of the experience excellent.

There are various packages available. You can camp and do your own meals if you are on a budget. They have bunk style rooms for groups, and individual rooms for individuals and couples. There are also several screen walled cabins up in the bush that I love-- feels like camping but with a real bed and no wet tent to deal with when you get home. The accommodations are not fancy, but clean and comfortable. The chalet where meals are served and where people gather is beautiful. If you have kayaks (or canoes if that is what you are doing) you can use your own equipment or rent from MKC. There equipment is top of the line.

Price wise, I view it as an all inclusive vacation with the added benefit of instruction. It is a lot less money that you would pay for an all inclusive vacation pretty much anywhere else, and you are building skills and great memories.
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Chris C Avatar
Chris C
8/13/2023
5 star ratingFamily adventure! When we arrived at the facility, we were greeted with such warmth and hospitality. The staff in the store were so kind and had great vibes. On the actual tour, we were greeted with jokes and clear instructions. Very entertaining and informative.
We had such an exciting and adventurous adventure with our two children (ages 7 and 4). Our guide Alex was so knowledgeable and approachable. She helped make my kids feel comfortable and excited about rafting. Such a wonderful day on the raft. At times, my 4 year old was afraid of the rapids, but by the end she was smiling and so proud of herself for doing something so adventurous! We were on the raft with another family with an even younger child. I know the website says that even 2 year olds can go on the raft, but just be aware that some of the rapids are a bit intense and your child may be afraid. The great thing is that we felt safe with our helmets and lifejackets, and we were given clear instructions on what to do if we did fall in the river. All in all, it was a fantastic activity, and our most adventurous one as a family to date!
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503travellingtania Avatar
503travellingtania
8/17/2023
November 17th 10am - 6pm EST

Early bird sale.

20% OFF

all 2 and 5 day MKC kayak and canoe programs. Includes Yoga Week, Slalom Week, Week of Rivers, Women’s Week and Weekend, Family Weeks and Weekends, Senior’s Week, Kayak and canoe instructor courses

Must place deposit to receive discount. We cannot combine discounts.

early bird sale heron
March 4th - 8th 2024

10% off

5 day kayak + canoe courses

5% of all revenue from this week is donated to your choice of three organizations

We are forever grateful for the support we continually receive from our communities. To say a small thanks, we want to give back.