MKC Launches Essay Contest to Celebrate 50th Season

Known around the world for its unique approach to canoe and kayak instruction, the Madawaska Kanu Centre (MKC) is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary in 2021.

To mark the occasion, MKC is launching an essay contest, and the winner will get a free weekend getaway at MKC with meals, accommodation and paddling instruction (value $600).

To enter, contestants will be asked to write a short entry on the topic “What can you learn by paddling a river”. The contest will run until September 2021 and a winner will be selected in November. The essay will be published in MKC’s Anniversary cookbook that celebrates the paddling centre’s confluence of good food and river experiences.

Essays must be between 150 and 500 words. Please submit via our Contact Us page!

The contest winner will join the ranks of more than 50,000 students who have learned the joys and thrills of whitewater paddling at MKC, which is nestled alongside the Madawaska River in Eastern Ontario.

Students as old as 86 and as young as 2 have ventured onto the rapids with MKC instructors, many of them world class competitors eager to share their love and passion with novices.

Over the years, MKC has launched the careers of many top tier paddlers. For example, Dana Chladek worked one summer at MKC when she was a teenager. She went on to win multiple Olympic and World Championship medals.

Founded in 1971 by Christa and Hermann Kerckhoff, MKC’s mission was to create a safe, fun learning environment where beginners could learn the basics and expert paddlers could refine their skills. The common thread was to instill in everyone a love for the outdoors and the wonders of whitewater paddling.

MKC also pioneered a landmark agreement with the hydro-electric authority that operates a dam on the Madawaska River, guaranteeing water releases on weekdays so paddlers have consistent flows to play in.

MKC has been a family affair since the day it opened. Christa and Hermann’s oldest daughter Claudia took over operations in 1982, along with her husband Dirk Van Wijk. And, just recently, a third generation, Claudia and Dirk’s youngest daughter Stefani, assumed responsibility of the Centre.

She is eager to build on the solid foundation laid by MKC’s 50 years of introducing students to the thrills and joys of whitewater paddling. “This river has been gathering paddlers for decades, I’m grateful to call it both my home and my career”

In addition to the essay contest, MKC is planning to host (subject to pandemic restrictions) a gathering on the Labour Day weekend to celebrate its half-century anniversary. The Anniversary Recipe Book will be published in the Spring of 2022, filled with recipes and the many memories 50 years on the river has generated.

Reviews

4 star ratingGood tame ride for first timers but wear proper shoes is my take away Great family adventure. Very tame rapids for first timers. Very friendly instructors. I booked through trip advisor (Viator) and didn’t receive the email for the waiver or important info such as what to wear. We wore our crocks and were told we were not allowed to wear them. Had to buy $35 water shoes for each of my 3 kids as a result. Then noticed 10 others wearing crocks in our group and was upset that we were made to buy shoes. They ended up giving us our money back for the shoes and were allowed to wear our crocks. Disappointing start to our adventure. Viator confirmation email only said footwear is required. Should be more specific for people so they don’t have to go through what we did. In the end it was still a good family outing.
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Freedom31472160761 Avatar
Freedom31472160761
7/05/2023
5 star ratingGreat experience for young or new rafters. We had an amazing white water experience with our two young daughters. Our guide Mel was so encouraging and fun in spite of the drizzle. Great interaction with our kids and would highly recommend this to families looking for their first rafting adventure.
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andrewsJ7602CG Avatar
andrewsJ7602CG
8/24/2023
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
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.