Madawaska Kanu Centre

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Madawaska Kanu Centre (MKC) is a respected school for whitewater canoe and kayak, located near Barry's Bay, Ontario, Canada.

MKC is operated by Claudia van Wijk, a former Canadian Olympian in K-1 slalom, and her family. The family also owns and operates Owl Rafting, which is based on the Ottawa River.

MKC courses run on the Madawaska River (at spots like Palmer Rapids), and other rivers in the area, including the Ottawa and Petawawa.

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Accommodation

MKC offers three types of accommodations: lodge rooms (based on double occupancy), dormitory lodging, or tent sites in a wooded campground.

Also provided is a modern washhouse, hot showers and sauna.

MKC is famous for its cuisine. All meals are home-made with fresh ingredients, highlighted with herbs from the MKC garden.

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Classes

MKC offers 2-day and 5-day courses with whitewater canoeing and kayaking, as well as 2-day courses in sea kayaking.

The 5-day courses are the most popular- and combine an active vacation with learning. These courses provide an ideal amount of time to master new playboating, technical and river running skills, as well as river reading and river safety competence.

The 2-day courses are an introduction to either whitewater or sea kayaking. These courses will lay the foundation of basic skills and safety.

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Rivers

The Madawaska River is located at the front door step of MKC. The guaranteed mid-week water releases ensure a variety of Class I-IV rapids.

Advanced paddling groups will make days trips to a variety of other rivers in the area (Ottawa, Petawawa, lower and upper sections of the Madawaska, or the Gatineau... just to name a few).

All participants in the 5-day course will get to paddle a new river on the last day of the course to test and enjoy newly acquired paddling skills.

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Getting There

MKC is located in the Madawaska Valley right next to Algonquin Provincial Park near the town of Barry's Bay.

Directions from Barry's Bay are: turn south on Dunn St off of Highway 60, travel past the hospital for 14km, just before the Madawaska River turn left onto River Rd.

Directions from Bancroft are: follow Highway 62 north, just past the small community of Purdy turn left onto Centreview Rd, after 4km turn right, follow for 7km, cross the river and turn right onto River Rd.