Upper Ottawa River Race & Paddle Festival

2021 NOTICE: The Upper Ottawa River Race and Paddle Festival has been cancelled for 2021 due to the ongoing global pandemic.  Instead, a one day Doggy Paddle event is planned for August of 2021

The Upper Ottawa River Race & Paddle Festival, presented by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, is a two-day festival held in August celebrating everything paddling between Petawawa and Pembroke, Ontario (1.5 hours west of Ottawa) along the mighty and historic Ottawa River.

The festival features kayak, canoe, outrigger, prone and stand up paddling (SUP) races on the Ottawa River (40 km, 13 km, 4 km or kids races).  For non-racers who fish out of a human-powered watercraft, there’s the Kayak Fishing Derby which is a "catch, measure, photo, release" tournament open to all anglers.  A fun time for sponsors and local business awaits in the Celebrity Charity Race.

Other activities include demos, clinics, vendors area, SUP yoga and more enhanced by great food and performances by local entertainers.

Included with registration are a race shirt (guaranteed only for registrations received by July 15), a pile of swag (we've been told it's the best race swag-bag ever), catered lunch & dinner (guest tickets available at $10/person per meal), a shuttle to pick up your vehicle (40 km & 13 km), prizes and trophies in a variety of categories, great camaraderie and a weekend of fun!

We are grateful to our sponsors as this event could not run without them.  Please take a look at our Sponsors page to acknowledge them.

Stay with us at Riverside Park Campground and enjoy the festivities and evening activities (located right at the finish line).  If camping is not your thing, book at event sponsor Quality Inn Petawawa. Other options: Petawawa or Pembroke.



This event is jointly hosted by the Town of Petawawa and the City of Pembroke.