Location: Ottawa River
26.07.2026–1.08.2026

The Zambezi is the ultimate bucket-list river—but staring down its massive, crashing waves requires more than just a roll; it requires a deep, instinctual understanding of high-volume, big water mechanics.

Welcome to the Zambezi Prep Week On The Ottawa River.

We have designed the ultimate, high-intensity training ground on the warm, deep, and forgiving waters of the Ottawa River. This is not just a standard kayak clinic. This is a highly targeted, preparation program designed to transition your paddling from defensive to offensive, ensuring that when you arrive in Africa this October, you feel pure excitement instead of fear.

Over five days of intensive on-water training, daily video analysis, and tactical seminars, you will break down the specific skills needed to crush high-volume rapids:

• Big Water Mechanics & Wave Riding: Learn how to read massive hydraulic features, navigate huge boils, and use the river’s immense power to your advantage rather than fighting it.

• Combat Rolling & Chaos Management: Build a bulletproof roll in highly aerated, turbulent water and master the psychology of staying calm when upside down in big features.

• High-Volume Line Choice & Spacing: Learn how to scout rapids, identify safe eddies in chaotic environments, and maintain perfect spacing within a group.

• Safety & Rescue Protocols: Practice high-volume rescue techniques, swimming in big water rapids, and aggressive self-rescue strategies.

Cinematic Video Analysis

We don’t just watch you paddle; we dissect it. Using high-definition footage captured throughout the day, we will analyze your blade angles, body posture, and boat speed. You will see exactly what you are doing right and what tweaks you need to make before hitting the water the next morning.

Bonus: You will walk away from this week with a professional, cinematic digital media package of your paddling to share with your community.

Day 1: Arrival, Check-In & Welcome Feast

• The Vibe: Arrival, setting the scene, and meeting your tribe.
• The Details: Arrive at the Wilderness Tours Resort in the late afternoon and settle into your accommodation. Take a stroll down to the beach, breathe in the fresh river air, and unpack your gear.
• Evening: Gather at the resort lodge for our Official Welcome Dinner. We will introduce the coaching team, break down the week’s progression, and connect with the community of paddlers and partners who will be sharing this journey with you.

Day 2: Alignment, Big Water Fundamentals & The First Splash

• The Details: Start the morning with a Riverside Yoga Session designed specifically for paddlers to open up the shoulders, back, and hips. After a breakfast, we head to the gear sheds for outfitting, safety briefings, and boat setup.
• On the Water: We launch onto the warm waters of the Ottawa. Today is all about assessing your baseline, dialing in your roll in moving water, and understanding the core mechanics of high-volume river features. We will enjoy a scenic lunch right on the river rocks.
• Afternoon & Evening: We wrap up paddling at 3:00 PM. Back at the resort, we head into our first Cinematic Video Review Session to visually break down your on-water posture and blade control. Afterward, melt away any tension in the Riverside Sauna, followed by a group dinner at the resort.

Day 3: Stepping Up the Intensity

• The Details: Today, the training shifts from defensive to offensive. We will focus on aggressive eddy turns in heavy boils, ferry glides across currents, and reading high-volume lines.
• Evening: Once off the water, we will dive into an exclusive Zambezi Preview & Video Analysis. We will break down footage of the exact rapids you'll face in Africa, mapping out lines and holding a tactical Q&A session. For dinner we will head out for a special evening at the Historic River Barn.

Day 4 and 5: Chaos Management, Combat Rolling

• The Vibe: Building mental resilience on the water.
• The Details: These two days are dedicated to the ultimate confidence-building. We dive deep into "Chaos Management"—mastering the psychology of staying calm upside down and executing a bulletproof combat roll in highly aerated, turbulent water. You will practice high-volume rescue protocols and swimming safely through massive features.
• Evening: On Wednesday night we will celebrate with Wine Tasting Experience at sundown.

Day 6: The Grand Finale Lap & Whitewater Brewery Celebration

• The Details: This is our final day on the water, no overthinking—just pure, high-confidence paddling.
• Evening: We cap off an unforgettable week with a trip to the famous local Whitewater Brewing Co. Feast on gourmet pub fare and raise a pint of locally crafted beer to the ultimate community vibe. This is where we hand out your digital media packages and say a temporary goodbye to the Ottawa River as our eyes turn toward Africa.

Day 7: Farewell Breakfast & Final Departures

• The Details: Breakfast, final hugs, exchange contact info & pack up your gear.
• The Next Stop: You leave Canada with an entirely new level of on-water confidence, and we hope to see you in Africa!

Book Now $2199 CAD

• 5 days of whitewater kayak instruction
• 6 nights of camping included (accomodation upgrades are available)
• 17 meals
• Daily shuttles
• Access to sauna, beach, water park
• Expert guiding and support with travel logistics

Location: Wilderness Tours
1260 Grants Settlement Rd, Foresters Falls, ON K0J 1V0, Canada

Airport Shuttles:
Can be arrange, please contact Ottawa Kayak School via e-mail at info@ottawakayak.com

Note: Prices are subject to 13% HST & $15/day/person Park Pass