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We'll base camp two nights, run the best set of canoeable rapids that the Madawaska has to offer during the day, and enjoy good food and music in the evening. It's a fun escape weekend of whitewater and camping revelry.
If you're totally new to whitewater, this is a great place to start. It's a lot of fun and we take safety very seriously. You'll learn the basics of whitewater paddling on a great river to learn on. There are portage trails around anything that you don't want to run.
If you're not into the whitewater part, that's ok! You can join us for just the camping parts and chill at the site when others are off having splashy fun. It'll still be a blast (though the fun will go up when we're back from paddling). You can join for one or two nights. It's a beautiful site and plenty of flatwater to paddle around on if you want a calm peaceful daytime experience.
Whitewater paddling and camping
Friday
Drive to the Madawaska put-in Friday morning or early afternoon. It's about a 4-hour drive from Toronto.
Paddle to the campsite. It's about 5 minutes with no whitewater.
Whitewater canoe practice. We'll paddle down river to the first rapid. Learn some strokes and try out some whitewater.
We'll decide then whether we are running the whole set or turning back to the campsite.
We return to the campsite and eat a big campfire-made supper.
End the evening with music and merriment.
Saturday
Eat a nice big campfire-made breakfast to load up on energy.
Gear-up and head down the river. This run will be a bit slower since it will be the first of the weekend.
Enjoy the many rapids the Madawaska offers. We will take our time to ensure that everyone learns the rapids.
Eat lunch on the river.
Enjoy more rapids.
Take out at Buck's Bay.
Load up and drive back to the launch area.
Most will paddle back to the site. A few drivers will reset the shuttle for Sunday.
Eat a fantastic campfire-made supper.
Finish up the evening with more music and merriment around the fire.
Sunday
Wake up a bit earlier to get a good start on the day.
Eat another nice big campfire-made breakfast to load up on energy.
Gear up and head down the river.
Enjoy the rapids and we'll likely be able to move faster down the river since everyone will know what to expect (not sacrificing safety).
Enjoy lunch on the river.
Take out at Buck's Bay.
Load up and drive back to the launch area.
Paddle back to the campsite
Start packing up.
Paddle back to the cars.
Load up and drive home.
Some may have supper together in Peterborough on the way home.
Camping only
Friday
Drive to the launch area (though Saturday night-only is a possibility).
Paddle (or get picked up) to the campsite. A five minute paddle without whitewater.
Set up your tent.
Enjoy the backcountry camping life while the paddlers practice some rapids. OR come with the paddlers and watch people run the rapids from the shore.
Eat a big campfire-made supper.
End the evening with music and merriment.
Saturday
Enjoy a big campfire-made breakfast with the whole group.
Say good bye to the paddlers and enjoy your time on the site.
Make your own lunch on the fire.
Relax, read, go for a flatwater paddle, lay in a hammock, whatever you want.
Enjoy a big campfire-made supper.
End the evening with music and merriment.
Sunday
Enjoy a big campfire-made breakfast with the whole group.
Say good bye to the paddlers and enjoy your time on the site.
Make your own lunch on the fire.
Have a great campfire-made supper when the paddlers return.
Start packing up.
Paddle back to the cars.
Load up and drive home.
Some may have supper together in Peterborough on the way home.
Ok, this might be a bit of an exaggeration. There are no headliners, music tents or porta-potty lineups. But there is a strong commitment to having some fun (and often loud) singing around the campfire. We even produce a songbook ahead of time with chords and lyrics so we can join in karaoke style. Play an instrument? If it's portable, bring it along! (At your own risk of course, there still is a 5 minute paddle to the campsite).
If you're interested in learning whitewater paddling, we'll help introduce you to the sport and ease you into it. Before the festival, you'll need to do some pre-reading to make sure you have the basics you need to stay safe. There is a lot of "theory" to learn first so you'll know what we're talking about when we go over things on the river. You'll find everything you need to know on this site. Head over to our Split Rock Outdoors Whitewater Handbook and read the things. This will also give you an idea of what you could be getting yourself into.
We're heading to the incredible Madawaska river, just south of Algonquin Park near a town called Quadeville. We start at a small parking lot near the Aumonds Bay put-in. It's a four-hour drive from Toronto. You can talk to us about arranging a car pooling seat. There is free parking at the put-in.
Red line is the river. Blue line is the shuttle road back.
We try to run this section of the river three times. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Here, look at some photos.
There is no festival fee! We just divide up the food, booze and gas costs afterwards. It all works out to be a pretty cheap trip that's under $100 each. Since there's no campsite fees, shuttle fees or canoe rentals, it's as cheap as it gets for a trip like this. If you go with a guided trip on the same river with a nearby outfitter, it would cost around $1000, so we think this is a pretty good deal.
How big is this festival?
We may be slightly exaggerating the size. There were 9 awesome people the last two years. Maybe we'll get 10 this year!
What if I've never paddled whitewater before?
This trip is great for people new to whitewater. You should still talk to us (Jacob or Tim) about your skill level with canoeing in general so we can better help you learn. A big start is learning the theory and the terminology that's covered on this Split Rock site. The skills themselves need to be learned and practiced on actual whitewater of course.
Can I bring my kids?
No. You cannot bring your crotch fruit. I'm sure they're great, but NO! If you found that offensive, this trip might not be a good match for you. 🤣 There's an exception for adult children.
What if I don't even want to do the whitewater but want in on the sweet camping and music fun?
Not a problem! Come join us for just the camping experience (other than the short paddle to the site) and stay back and chill while the whitewater paddlers are off on their adventure. No shame in that. You can even go for a nice flatwater paddle since the river around the site doesn't have a strong current.
What about food?
We do food communally so that we can all have some pretty amazing meals. Just be sure to talk to us ahead of time about any dietary restrictions. If you want to opt out of the communal food (and be that guy), ah, sure, if you want. But, this will be the best campfire-made food you have ever consumed.
Bring your own booze. People generally share through a giant communal cooler which makes for lots of variety.
What about whitewater canoe gear?
Split Rock has a small gear library. Talk to us about what you need and we'll hook you up. If all the gear is spoken for, there are nearby outfitters
What about camping gear?
You're on your own for this. You'll need a tent and whatever you need to sleep in it. Feel free to bring as much as you want though since we won't be paddling with the gear down the river. Bring a hammock if you have one!
What if I can't sing?
We will give you more alcohol.
If you're new to camping without a washroom building you can walk to, this will be a slight adjustment. There is a wooden box in the bush with a hole shaped like a toilet opening. You poop in there. :)
But this is the easiest possible introduction to "backcountry camping" since the size and weight of whatever you want to bring doesn't matter. Bring all your creature comforts as you would with car camping. There are also lots of people around to help you out and learn how to be a backcountry adventurer.
At the site
Headlamp (Check your batteries)
Water bottle (Something with a loop like a nalgene).
Sleeping bag
Sleeping mat, like a Thermarest.
Pillow
Tent or place in a tent
Clothes for cold evenings
Shoes and warm socks
For running the river
Personal Flotation Device (PFD) (Also incorrectly known as a ‘life jacket’. We have at least four decent loaner PFDs).
Whitewater or multisport helmet (we have about 6 loaner helmets). Even a bike helmet will work in a pinch.
Whistle on your PFD
Whitewater paddle (loaners available).
Smaller dry bag that is accessible on the river for pulling out a raincoat, snacks, etc. Loaners are available.
Second set of clothes in a dry bag in case you dump. (Everyone needs to be able to completely change into dry clothes on the river and carry on with the trip without being miserable in cold wet clothing.)
Sunglasses
Hat
Non-cotton paddling clothes (Avoid all cotton on cold water. I suggest checking out this blog about what to wear on a canoe trip. https://www.voyageurtripper.com/what-to-wear-canoeing/
Toe-protected shoes (i.e., some kind of shoes that are good for walking in water. Covered toes are safer. Avoid sandals that can be washed away in fast water.)
Raincoat
Extras
Decent rain pants
Neoprene gloves (We have a couple of loaners)
Neoprene socks
Camp chair
Musical instruments
Hammock
That's fantastic—we're glad we could convince you! But, the trip is invite-only, so message Tim, Jacob or Stefan and let them know you're interested. 😀 If you're good to go, here are the next steps:
If you are new to whitewater, you'll need to do the pre-reading. (In the link below).
Everyone needs to take the whitewater safety quiz.
Figure out what gear you need to borrow.
Read the serious stuff and sign up using the button below.
Head over to our kind-of-a-store and browse our tiny selection of shirts and maybe possibly some hats. I'm sure you can throw twenty bucks at a shirt to remember what an awesome time it will be/was! That sets the expectations high, but the shirts make really nice absorbent rags if BKWMF 2025 turns out to be a dud (Impossible though!)
"Hey guys, it's actually 'Bill's Kitchen'!"
"Shut up, Justin. It will always be Bob's!" 🤣
Icons from FreePic on Flaticon
