Winter Pool Sessions

Overview

The Ottawa River Runners offers winter pool sessions each year so that members can keep their skills sharp, and practice skills year-round. Sessions are typically held at the Carleton University Pool, and may require advance reservation of spaces. Unless otherwise indicated, sessions are ‘open’ or uncoached, and members work on their skills with friends or sometimes play some friendly kayak polo.

Sign up for Winter Pool Sessions

2024 Open Pool Sessions

We’re returning to the pool at Carleton University in 2024. The shallow end has been booked for 15 sessions on two different evenings and sessions start the weekend of January 20th. Typically paddlers come to get some boat time in and practice rolling.

Saturday evening sessions are $20. We have booked the entire shallow end of the pool for 1.5 hours from 6:15pm to 7:45pm.

Monday evening sessions are $15. We have booked half of the shallow end of the pool for 55 minutes from 8:20pm to 9:15pm.

A club membership is required to attend and 2023 memberships are valid until March 31, 2025. Memberships for the 2024 season will also be accepted. If you would like to register, please visit our Membership page.

This year, space on the pool deck is very limited. It might not be possible to store personal equipment, like a boat, on the pool deck if you book multiple sessions.

If you have questions or need to borrow equipment, please contact Richard or info @ ottawariverrunners.com.

Note: There is now a cost for parking at the Carleton Athletics Facility.

Specific ORR pool guidelines:

  • A limited number of kayaks, paddles and spray decks will be available to use. Please disinfect ORR gear after use by wiping down with disinfectant. Participants may bring their own gear to use in pool. (please contact organizer if you would like to use ORR kayak/gear).
  • Use of swim goggles is highly recommended for rolling practice.
  • Bring clothes/valuables to the pool deck in a gym bag and place in designated areas.
  • Pool staff ask that boats be clean of leaves and dirt, and that we bring them in through the external entrance (not through the change rooms).
  • Enter/Exit the facility from emergency exit only.

2024 Coached Sessions

If you have any questions about coached session, please email ORR Coaching <[email protected]>.

A number of different programs are being offered in 2024 for Ripples (7-10 years), Cadet/Junior (11-14 years) and youth interested in ORR’s Paddling Development program (12 – 17 years). We also have development program sessions for participants in our High Performance Development Program(HPDP) and our Cadet/Junior Paddling Development Program (CJPDP).

Minnows Pool Program

Younger paddlers are welcome at Open Sessions.