Hello ,

We have seen a full second half of the outdoor season! August kicked off with KanFest and Nationals back-to-back, followed by Provincials, the Harvie Fall Classic and then straight into our re-build of Kananaskis Whitewater! 

KanFest saw one of the best participation numbers in years and it was amazing to see a diversity in craft, age, and people on the water. The added bonus of Emily Jackson and Nick Troutman in attendance created a buzz that's still not worn off. It was a great way to celebrate 40 years of Kananaskis Whitewater. 

The Nationals Championships was a super full week with more celebrities on-site. This time it was Olympians Lois Betteridge and Alex Baldoni fresh off their Paris 2024 experience. We always love the way Canada's top athletes share their time with the kids at these events. Alberta saw a bump in National Champions this year showing the hard work that our Slalom and Freestyle coaches have been putting in. Thank you volunteers, coaches, and athletes for a fantastic event.

In this Newsletter:

Kananaskis Whitewater updates

I.D.E.A.S.

River Safety Program

Stories from the Season

Access

Events

September 18 - October 4th was the long awaited maintenance build at the Kan by AWA and the Alberta River Surfing Association. With only 6 days of that period in-river, it required clock work to get as much done as possible. Ed and his team with Able Demolition delivered and the AWA / ARSA support crew worked hard to keep things running smoothly. From doing fish scares in front of the machinery, to directing the placement of 1000 Ton of rock, to tree cutting and small rock throwing, they worked hard.

Features from Point Break to 40-boat eddy got tuned up with the goal of making them more resilient to high water, and more usable. With only three testing days not everything is perfect but that's half the fun of paddling, exploring new rivers, and seeing how a feature can be used. 

Access on the river has been adjusted significantly. A new put-in eddy was built so that the commercial trips can now start above Widowmaker, which spreads out users better. Throughout the race course the pathway was raised and improved so it is now easy to walk from top to bottom. This will greatly expand the spectator experience and finishes off Chuck's vision for the pathway since 2014. The takeout eddy at the parking lot was hardened to stop erosion and stairs added. Finally, in order to get a machine down to Chubby's, a wide trail was built, which also greatly improves the access to 40-Boat eddy. Whether you are taking out, or putting in for a lower run, this is a significant improvement that will allow more users to enjoy the river.

Leading up to the build, it was a little touch-and-go with the water situation. Alberta Tourism and Sport did a lot of work to negotiate the dam lock-off with TransAlta and it all worked out at the last minute. The construction period came at the end of the July 31 - September 15th agreement that the GOA and TransAlta reached, which ensured daily water for recreation and commercial activities, and water flows for 4 major events: KanFest, National Whitewater Championships, Mountain Wave Classic, and Provincial Championships.

The next step is for the GOA, TransAlta and the Lower Kananaskis River Users Association to find a long-term solution for water flows from Barrier Dam.

Winter Pool Kayaking Programs in Alberta: A New Lens on Learning and Inclusion

As we head into another winter season of pool kayaking, there’s an opportunity to reimagine these sessions—not just as skill-building opportunities, but as spaces for fostering a safe, welcoming environment where every paddler can progress at their own pace. For many, the warm, safe waters of an indoor pool provide the perfect setting for those all-important first experiences with a kayak: from becoming comfortable being upside down in the water to practicing calm, controlled and confident wet exits.

While it’s easy to focus on rolling, the reality is that each paddler’s journey is unique. Some participants may be ready, but others need time to build some water literacy. This can sometimes be as basic as developing breath control to ensure the necessary comfort for learning and progressing. Maybe just learning how to engage the lower limbs and body inside the boat is what will be key to someone learning to manage their edges. Sometimes we have to break it down; pare it back. 

This may come as a surprise to some but there are often people who come out to learn about kayaking that actually have a fear of water. Some may be non-swimmers. This really does happen. Making these sessions a safe space for everyone, no matter their experience or the type of kayak they want to paddle, to learn and grow at their own pace, is vital to ensuring a genuinely inclusive paddlesport community.

By approaching pool sessions with inclusivity and individualized support in mind, we ensure everyone—from seasoned paddlers to absolute beginners—feels safe and encouraged. Carving out time for newcomers to explore and offering dedicated sessions for skills like self-rescue and re-entry can make our paddling community more welcoming, helping it grow and strengthening the connections that come from sharing a love of being on the water.

Moving Water SUP Leash Awareness

Stay tuned for the debut of our Online River Safety Course before the new year!

AWA's Commitment to IDEAS: Inspiring Inclusive and Diverse Paddling Communities

Inclusion:
With the We Paddle – Adaptive project, AWA has been supporting accessible paddling spaces, places and programs by developing an Adaptive Leader Resource and making specialized adaptive equipment available to our networks of organizations and individuals. AWA's TrailRider access chair and our various unique PFDs for adaptive paddlers make it possible for those living with mobility challenges to enjoy the many Alberta waterways. This initiative is part of the vision to create meaningful paddling opportunities for all. Using the TrailRider was also a big part of the vision for the 40-Boat Eddy trail. 

Equity:

The We Paddle – Equity in Participation and Leadership project has been instrumental in developing women and female-identifying leaders across Alberta’s paddling community. This season, leaders engaged in training to improve their paddling skills, their instructional techniques, and inclusive coaching practices. Many provided inspiring, adaptive instruction, introducing a broad range of paddlers to safe, inclusive and accepting spaces on lakes and rivers. Through these efforts, the project continues to foster skill-sharing, community connection, and accessible paddling experiences that resonate with new and diverse paddlers.

Please have a look at the AWA’s Inclusion Statement and consider what your role could be in helping make the Alberta paddling community a more safe and welcoming one. 

Diversity:

The Paddle Forward program (funded by Jumpstart) introduced over 60 Indigenous youth to paddlesport activities (kayaking, canoeing and stand up paddle boarding). The programs focussed on essential water safety practices to build confidence and initiate a ripple effect of safety conscious practices in 3 different communities. At sites near Mînî Thnî, Cold Lake, and Rocky Mountain House, participants learned to choose and properly fit PFDs which helped them to gain confidence as they explored paddling the waters in their communities. The program emphasized 3 core elements: safety, the FUNdamentals (making every session as FUN as possible while focussing on paddling techniques and skills which transfer to all paddlesports) and stewardship. The leaders of these programs took time to  listen and learned a lot from community teachings and the kids themselves. We know this contributes to understanding and building respect as part of our reconciliation journey.  (LOGO)

#JumpstartCanada    #PaddleForward        #YouthPaddling    

#SafetyInPaddling     #CommunitySupport

Accessibility:
Making Paddlesports Accessible for All
With support from the AWA, coach Heather has overcome unique challenges to lead and inspire others in paddling, especially women and those with disabilities. Learn how adaptive gear, thoughtful planning, and accessible coaching are creating new pathways in Alberta's paddlesports community.

Read more about Heather’s journey and the InMotion Support to support accessibility in paddlesports.

Safe Spaces:

Safe Sport: Building Inclusive, Welcoming Paddling Communities
The Alberta Whitewater Association (AWA) is committed to creating spaces where all paddlers feel safe, included, and respected. Safe Sport principles help us build a culture that ensures everyone—regardless of age, skill, or background—can thrive.

As we head into 2025, it’s time for us all to gear up and do the annual Self Disclosure Form update! Completing this 2-minute online form is now simpler and more affordable than continually renewing your Vulnerable Sector Checks. This also allows us to meet Safe Sport Policy requirements while ensuring safe and welcoming spaces for everyone. Expect friendly (and maybe a little persistent) reminders in January—together, we’ll make this a quick and easy step for our community so help spread the word!

And as always, the AWA encourages everyone to complete the quick and informative Safe Sport Training online module every three years (encouraging ALL but insisting for volunteers, board members, coaches, instructors and leaders). 

Not sure about the last time you DID the Safe Sport Training? Simply log into your Locker Account to check. If you’ve never done the SST module before, go here to start and join us in building paddling communities where everyone can explore, connect, and grow.

By Mo McNeely

I’m new to kayaking, and my inexperience does nothing to dissuade me. Usually, the fear of sucking at something so publicly is enough to keep me from trying new things.

But when it comes to kayaking – I’m hooked.

I love many things about kayaking. I could go on endlessly about feeling a grace I completely lack on land and the gradual improvement in skills I’m finding, but the more I get into this sport, the more I am finding unexpected shifts in myself.

I was willing to overcome my biggest anxiety triggers of showing up somewhere brand new, without knowing anyone, and trying to do a thing that I’m still learning how to do. I have the best time, every time. The kayak community here has been so welcoming, and I’ve made many new friends.

Though whitewater has my heart, I’ve also dabbled in kayak polo, and surfed my kayak on some waves at our indoor waterpark this year. I’m keen on trying sea kayaking and multi day trips.  I’ve paddled nearly every week in the last 10 months. The measure of how great a week has been is the number of paddles I’ve fit in.

Each of my skills are a reflection of my  instructors, and fellow kayakers imparting their knowledge, while the joy, acceptance, and appreciation I feel comes from the community around kayaking. My new motto is “anything for kayaking” and I continue to find that feeling of community in kayaking here at home, because no matter where you go, it’s so, so, so much more than being in a boat.

Big paddle smiles – Mo

With Facility and Access wins, come some challenges. Paddlesports aren't always on planners minds when they're building roads, dams and other infrastructure along our waterways. We appreciate everyone keeping their ears to the ground and letting us know when opportunities arise. In general the model of a local champion with provincial support, always works best.

Ghost Dam

The Ghost Dam Expansion has been chosen as the preferred option for protecting Calgary against floods and droughts. This means in 10-15 years the current dam will be decommissioned and a new one built a couple of kilometers downstream. This will flood the Ghost Run on the Bow. We will be advocating for access at the new site, and compensation for the lost recreational area. Here's a quick video of the area

TransAlta has recently added No Trespassing signs at the Ghost put-in and portage trail. We have enquired with TAU, Transport Canada, and the Province to learn what the navigation regulations are, what previous agreements allowed access, and what we can do to solve the issue going forward. We hope to be able to use the current section of river for the next ten years unencumbered. 

River Access as part of the Trails Act?

We have proposed that the Province consider river access trails within the Trails Act, either as a normal trail, or perhaps as a subclass of trails. This would give us the ability to formalize access, get grants, and define a local club as a Trail Manager for certain regions' access points. One simple example would be improving and formalizing the six or seven access stops along the Upper Red Deer River with pull-offs, signage, better trails, and then have the local club take care of them.

South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP)

Many topics of River Recreation fall under the SSRP, which is undergoing at 10yr review this fall. We hope to improve the deliverables for paddle sports around: River Safety; Water Access; In-Stream Facility Management (Kan, Harvie, etc); and Water Management (flows for recreation and angling). You can add your comments to the Province's survey below

November 3 - Alberta Whitewater Slalom AGM - Calgary/Zoom

November 9/10 - Edmonton Whitewater Paddlers Fall Tournament - Edmonton

November 20/21 - Alberta Whitewater Slalom Casino - Calgary (5 spots empty)

November 25th - Club Town Hall - Online - Topics Survey

January 10/11 - Youth Winter Whitewater Challenge - Edmonton

February  - Cup of the North - Edmonton

February (TBA) - AWA AGM

March 8 Cottonwood Polo Tournament - Innisfail

April 25-27 - Whitewater Leadership Symposium

If you have any articles to publish or topics you'd like to see in the newsletter, please let us know!