Has Success Spoiled the Ottawa River?

On one hand we want the public to understand the economic value of whitewater. On the other, we see that overuse of any natural resource can be a problem.

At the very least paddlers can approach the sport with caution, paddling safely and managing use in such a way that is courteous and sustainable.

The question remains: how to deal with "yahoos" and "dorks" on the river.

If you get involved and try to help, you may become exposed to liabilty. If you ignore the situation (if there are children) and something serious happens you live with guilt.

If you see something that looks like it's leading to a real accident, speak up.
If rebuffed as being a busy body or worry wart then respond with something like, " I guess someone like me who spends hundreds of days playing in whitewater wouldn't really know anything at all about that" and let the pieces fall where they may.

Not every one doing something 'apparently stupid' is actually deserving of the outcome. Say something like, "have you done this before?"

Crashing, surf?, dangerous currents? rocky shoreline?

No, this is not Minden, its the coast of california where the state has made access easy by improved and unimproved trails. In that state there is no liabiity to anybody for permitting access to the coastline.

Here in Canada we must put up a six foot high fence around pools to dissuade children because a pool is considered an attractive nuisance.

TO summarize:

To the apparently adult participant...

1. ask "have you done this before"

2. accept that you haven't seen it all or heard it all - if rebuked

3. help pick up the pieces as a good samaritan after the fact if you can


I'm reminded of the Kipawa Case where safety was used as the concern about running the laniel dam sluice, while ATV's were facilitated in running the dam's deck.

We don't think its a good idea to run mopeds on the QEW but to my knowledge its perfectly legal to do so.

I think a track record of safety is a good indicator but yahoos and bunyaulks abound.

If children are the concern: call the Children's Aid Society! or the Police as they are the only parties embued with the right to intervene.


Regarding Kayak/Raft collisions


The difference between a raft running the river and "running over" a guy who has jumped on the wave in front of the raft - and the next case, the raft guide purposely mowing over kayaks in an eddy or jumping on the wave from the eddy running them over is significant.

For example, If you were driving down the road and someone on a skateboard jumped off the sidewalk in front of your vehicle and you hit them you probably would not be charged. ...However if you were chasing the skateboarder through a parking lot in your vehicle and hit him, charges would likely be pending.

12 200lb gorbies plus a raft and guide weigh close to 3000lb. Piloting a raft in such a way as to intentionally run over people is a dangerous and unsustainable proposition.