Canoe and Kayak Down the Beaudette River


Event Details


Summary

When: Saturday, April 20th, 2024. Postponed to April 21st in case of bad weather

Starting point: Cul-de-sac located on Butternut Lane, North Lancaster (Glen Nevis), ON, K0C 1Z0

End point: Rivière-Beaudette Recreation Centre, 600 Léger Street, Rivière-Beaudette, QC J0P 1R0

Length: 20 km on the Beaudette River, 4 to 6 hours of paddling

Who: Beginners with a minimum of experience or more, aged 16 and over, from the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region

Cost: $15.00 per participant

Accepted boats: Canoes, kayaks (10 feet long and more), and paddleboards under certain conditions. For paddleboards, the river flow must be at least 3 m3/sec. to pass the rapids without hitting rocks and you must be able to stand and paddle for 4 to 6 hours.

Registration: Register online before April 17th. Cash payments will not be accepted on-site.

For more information, write to us at projetcom@cobaver-vs.org


Description

The 20 km course starts in Glen Nevis, Ontario, and ends in the village of Rivière-Beaudette. The Beaudette River is an excellent river to start canoeing and kayaking because of its low slope and easy rapids. This activity is for people aged 16 and over, beginners with a minimum of experience or more.

The registration fee is $15 and includes access to a shuttle bus. There will be no kayak rentals this year.

If you wish to participate, register online before April 17th, 2023. We will not accept registrations paid in cash on the day of the event. Registration is mandatory to participate. If you do not receive an email confirmation within 24 hours of registering, please check your junk mail. To register, head over to the French version of our website.


How it works

Drop off your boat at the time you chose when making your reservation (8:00 am, 9:00 am, or 10:00 am) at the cul-de-sac on Butternut Lane, North Lancaster (Glen Nevis), Ontario. You will be given a coupon to identify your boat. Keep it carefully, as you will have to give it to the site supervisor to take your boat back. A supervisor will watch over your boat while you return to the Rivière-Beaudette Recreation Centre by car.

At Rivière-Beaudette, the organizers will be waiting for you to confirm your presence, give you a map of the river, perform a few safety checks and have you sign a risk acknowledgment and acceptance form. You will then be transported to Glen Nevis by shuttle bus, where you will be briefed on the Beaudette River before starting your trip down the river. Departures will be in teams of two or more. If you are alone, you will be paired with another participant or group.

Schedule for the boat drop-off at the end of Butternut Lane in Glen Nevis, Ontario Shuttle bus departure schedule from the Rivière-Beaudette Community Hall
  • 8h00
  • 9h00
  • 10h00
  • 9h00
  • 10h00
  • 11h00

The finish point on the river will be marked by a beach flag with the COBAVER-VS logo on the Cedars Rapids Electric Transmission Company (CRT) grounds, located before the railway bridge in Rivière-Beaudette. You will be able to drive your car directly home as it will be waiting for you at the finish point. If you plan to leave the river before or continue past the end of the course, you must notify the organizers.


Important safety information

Mandatory equipment
  • Personal flotation device worn at all times (1 per person)
  • Sound signaling device (whistle provided by COBAVER-VS if needed)
  • Bailer (≥ 750 ml) in various forms or hand pump (may be a waterproof helmet)
  • Manual propulsion device (paddle)
  • A floating rope of at least 15 m
Highly recommended equipment (in a waterproof bag)
  • At least 1.5L of water per person
  • Hearty lunch (sandwiches, bars, nuts, etc.)
  • Hat/headband
  • Sunscreen
  • Waterproof or neoprene shoes
  • Warm coat
  • Several layers of clothing.
  • Gloves/mittens with non-slip palms
  • Toilet paper or tissues
  • Plastic bag for rubbish
  • Mobile phone in a waterproof bag
  • Identification (health insurance card)
  • Bandages as a precaution

The water and temperature will be cold and there is a real risk of hypothermia if you stay wet. We strongly recommend that you bring a change of clothes in a waterproof bag in case you capsize. If possible, we recommend that you wear a semi-dry suit.


Raising Awareness

On average, 140 participants paddle down the river every spring. The COBAVER-VS is working hard to make this event an annual tradition for the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region. This event is perfectly in line with our mission, which is to implement integrated water management within the watershed. One of the main objectives of the Plan Directeur de l’Eau (PDE) is to improve public access to rivers and lakes. This activity provides participants with a wonderful outdoor experience while helping spread awareness of our rivers’ potential.

This event is a great opportunity to raise awareness of the environmental problems impacting waterways in agricultural areas. Because of their location and appearance, rivers in these areas are often underestimated and misunderstood. This canoe and kayak trip will give participants the chance to appreciate the beauty and landscapes of the Beaudette River, but also to see its fragility. This event is also an opportunity for the public to connect and reclaim their river at a time when the lack of accessibility to inland waterways is growing.


Acknowledgments

The COBAVER-VS would like to sincerely thank the Caisse Desjardins de Vaudreuil-Soulanges for its financial help. We would also like to thank our other partners, including the municipality of Rivière-Beaudette, the Société de Conservation et d’Aménagement du Bassin de la Rivière Châteauguay (SCABRIC), the Cedars Rapids Electric Transmission Company (CRT), as well as Eau Vive Québec.

 

With the financial help of Thank you to our partners
conditions d'utilisation - Municipalité de Rivière-Beaudette