Ontario Voyageurs Kayak Club, or “OVKC” is a club dedicated to the pursuit of paddling whitewater.

Our goals are to:

• Promote the enjoyment, challenges, thrills and camaraderie of whitewater kayaking and canoeing
• Organize river outings for members
• Promote water safety
• Develop and promote the sport of whitewater paddling

 
Volunteers in the club organize trips throughout the spring, summer and fall paddling seasons that appeal to all levels of boaters, from beginner to expert.

While most of our trips are to rivers in Ontario and Quebec, we also visit many other popular paddling destinations such as West Virginia and New York State.

Although our club is based in Toronto, our membership of over 100 people includes individuals from as far away as Ottawa and Windsor.

In addition to kayakers, our members also include many C-1’ers and open boaters.  Many of our members joined when they were beginners and looking for people to paddle with in a fun, safe group environment.  Others are experienced paddlers looking to hook up with adventurers to explore new water. One thing all levels of paddlers share is their enriched paddling experience from joining and participating in scheduled club trips.

A little on our history…

…The Beginning

…It was 1955 when I held an issue of American Whitewater Magazine in my hands for the first time. I was living in Toronto, a recent immigrant from Europe. I had built a few kayaks and shot some whitewater in Europe, but the question of organized groups, technique and up-to-date equipment were not even on the horizon.  One friend and I had explored Ontario's waterways and it was a revelation to find other people across the U.S. with a similar interest in my favorite pastime. There were just three of us whitewater paddlers in Toronto then, just three.

By 1957 I had gathered enough friends to form Canada's first whitewater club, the Ontario Voyageurs Kayak Club.  We had a ragtag set of boats, some home-made, some imported from England.  Klepper was just beginning to look for dealers in Canada. In 1958 we travelled to the West River in Vermont where I placed third in my first slalom race, missing first by the width of a finger.

Soon the Hudson Downriver Derby and Giant Slalom, the Brandywine Slalom, the Peterborough Slalom, the Credit River Derby and Root River Race followed on the calendar.   That first Credit River Derby had the highway so plugged up with spectators that even a fire engine could not get through.

Those were glorious days that started us, then came the indoor pool sessions, and the publication of the handbook for reading rapids.  We were very active in car rallies, parties and, of course, camping and touring on rivers when the whitewater season was over.

George Siposs, OVKC President 1957 - 1961.

Established …

In April 1957 a small group of enthusiastic paddlers met in George Siposs' new kitchen and founded OVKC.  Two years later (1959) they held Canada's first whitewater race on the Credit River.

Equipment and technique were scarce in those early days. Some of the stories of how they got their boats linger on. OVKC'ers would take turns roaming the banks of the Credit or Humber Rivers waiting for the appearance of one of the new European kayaks.  The paddler would then be lured to shore and hauled away for drinks and paddling tales. Other members would whisk away the boat and quickly pull off a mould.

In later years, club members such as Roger Parsons designed and raced their own boats. The C-2 that is mounted on the wall of the Minden Wild Water Preserve Training Centre is one of Roger's designs.

Competition…

[Toronto Daily Star: Monday April 20, 1959]

Eight Get Ducking in White Water Run …Eight of the thirty competing kayaks and canoes capsized yesterday in the four-mile Credit River Whitewater Derby organized by the Ontario Voyageurs Kayak Club.  No one was hurt.  The four-mile race between Streetsville and Erindale and a kayak slalom race at Erindale Park were won by George Siposs of Toronto, Chairman of the Voyageurs.

Competitors came from as far away as New York City and Port Huron, Michigan, and 500 people watched the events. A Hamilton pair, R. Gut and H. Messerer, of the Germania Club, won the doubles event.

Fun and games …

The Hat-Trick Club.  What is it and how do you join? This very exclusive club is a well-kept OVKC secret. The members of this particular club have awed audiences with their rolling prowess.  To be admitted to the club, the paddler must successfully complete two of  three consecutive one-hand rolls (on flat water) while keeping a helmet (or hat) dry in the air with the other hand. If you have long arms this is accomplished by passing the helmet/hat from one hand to the other over the bottom of the boat (remember, you're upside-down).  If, on the other hand, your arms are a little short, you send the audience into peals of laughter as they watch the helmet being pushed blindly across the bottom of the boat. It's tough when your right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing, or vice versa!  This feat of rolling must be observed by at least two OVKC members, one of whom has previously witnessed a Hat-Trick or, preferably, has completed the trick him-/herself .

• Welcome • About Us • Latest News • Club Activities • Photo Gallery •
• Bulletin Board • Join Today • Members Area • Links • Contact Us •