Canoe + Kayak Courses

Find the perfect active getaway for you

Browse our Courses

We have something for everyone

5 Days

Painting and Paddling Week

MKC’s most popular course! Immerse yourself in the whitewater world and take your kayak and canoe skills to the next level.

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

$1075 / Per person

Course Details
5 Days

Advanced OC1 and C1 with Jérôme

OC1 and C1 river running and creeking skills for experienced solo canoeists

Intermediate
Advanced

$1075 / Per person

Course Details
5 Days

5 Day Whitewater

MKC’s most popular course! Immerse yourself in the whitewater world and take your kayak and canoe skills to the next level.

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

$1075 / Per person

Course Details
Weekend

Weekend Whitewater

MKC’s Weekend Canoe or Kayak Clinic is an introduction to the exciting world of whitewater paddling.

Beginner
Intermediate

$500 / Per person

Course Details
5 Days

Pack Raft on the Madawaska

NEW! Pack Raft the Madawaska River with Theresa Landman

Beginner
Intermediate

$1075 / Per person

Course Details
Weekend

Revvv Up Intermediate Kayak

Get warmed up this May long weekend for the new whitewater kayak season! This course is for intermediate kayakers who are feeling a bit nervous this Spring.

Beginner
Intermediate

$750 / Per person

Course Details
5 Days

Week of Rivers

We want to share our favourite rivers with you during five days of kayaking or canoeing our region's best whitewater!

Intermediate
Advanced

$1400 / Per person

Course Details
Weekend

Mental Health First Aid

Join Jessi as she teaches you the skills to support those with mental health challenges

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

$475 / Per person

Course Details
Weekend

Blackfeather Canoe Tripping Weekend

Want to go on a whitewater canoeing expedition? Learn from Canada's leading guiding company. Check out Black Feather’s Tripping Program at MKC!

Intermediate

$500 / Per person

Course Details
5 Days

Yoga Whitewater Week

Yoga and kayaking or canoeing. Join us for our famous 5 day course with additional yoga programming to harmonize your learning with mindful motion.

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

$1225 / Per person

Course Details

4 Day Whitewater

Four days of paddling on an amazing river! Immerse yourself in the whitewater world and take your kayak and canoe skills to the next level.

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

$860 / Per person

Course Details
5 Days

Mini Kids Kayak

*NEW!* For keen kids aged 5 to 7 years who want to play in the river in and around kayaks and canoes.

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

$650 / Per person

Course Details
5 Days

Family Week

Enjoy your next family vacation learning whitewater kayaking or canoeing at MKC! A truly uplifting getaway for the whole family!

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

$1075 / Per person

Course Details
Weekend

Family Weekend

Bring the kids for this fun-filled weekend getaway! Learn to kayak or canoe as a whole family at our Riverside Wilderness Resort!

Beginner

$500 / Per person

Course Details
1 Day

Mid Mad Fest

Celebrate the Madaoueskasibi (Madawaska River) for a day of paddling events, river closing ceremony, food and live music!

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

$20 - $100 / Per person

Course Details

Whitewater Riders Youth Teen Kayak Camp

Two weeks of whitewater – freestyle, slalom, creeking, expeditions, and rescue – building positive whitewater leadership.

Intermediate
Advanced

$3200 / Per person

Course Details

Slalom Week

Kayak or canoe in ways you never thought possible. Find the fastest lines using various strokes and maneuvers to turn your boat quickly.

Intermediate
Advanced

$1225 / Per person

Course Details
5 Days

Senior’s Week

Whitewater is for everyone! Never kayaked or canoed? Been at it for decades? Join peers for an active and relaxing vacation!

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

$1075 / Per person

Course Details
5 Days

Women’s Week

Find your river smile for the first time or reach new heights of whitewater potential during our Women’s Week.

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

$967.50 / Per person

Course Details
Weekend

Women’s Weekend

Adventure ladies unite! MKC is pleased to offer a Women's Weekend of kayaking and canoeing for all women identifying folk!

Beginner
Intermediate

$450 / Per person

Course Details
Weekend

Creekside Riverside Yoga Retreat

Need some re-balancing? Come enjoy a weekend full of yoga learning by the river!

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

$815 / Per person

Course Details
1 Day

Zero to Hero

Interested in giving whitewater kayaking or canoeing a try? Join us for a 1 day intro to moving water paddling experience to go from zero to hero!

Beginner

$290 / Per person

Course Details
5 Days

Ottawa River Instruction

Kayak the famous Ottawa River with the people who know the river best! River running or freestyle – your choice!

Intermediate
Advanced

$290 - $1075 / Per person

Course Details
1 Day

Gift Card

Invest in MKC's future by investing in your paddling future now! Choose any value to contribute to your next time at MKC.

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

Custom / Per person

Course Details
1 Day

Downtown Ottawa Kayak Instruction

Feeling stuck in the city? Learn to kayak in downtown Ottawa within walking distance from the Parliament Buildings!

Beginner

$250 / Per person

Course Details
1 Day

Create A Custom Course

Craving something unique? Let us come to you with our CKC Certified Instructors and Guides to facilitate a great experience tailored to your group.

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

$280 / Per person

Course Details
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Your Hosts

Founded in 1972, MKC was the first kayak and canoe school in the world. We are a family run business, currently managed by the third generation!

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River Rescue and Wilderness First Aid

Get certified at MKC! Learn whitewater rescue practices, how to assist medical emergencies in the wilderness and become a kayak or canoe instructor!

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Reviews

5 star ratingSunny days on the Madawaska River with the Madawaska Kanu Centre Absolutely fantastic experience!!!! I took my three grandchildren, aged 7 - 15 for the two hour family raft experience. Our guide made the adventure so much fun for all of
us. Our neighbours also joined our raft, so we had a total of 11. We will definitely return for another adventure.
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vera g Avatar
vera g
8/11/2024
5 star ratingPerfect Family Adventure I cannot say enough good things about MKC - their facilities, their staff, the river, all of it. My family actually joined the five day learn to kayak program (which was not an option in the TripAdvisor drop down). The river has just the right amount of challenge to be PERFECT for learning. There are easy lines for absolute beginners, and enough challenge that a competitive slalom race was being held for top competitors on an adjacent section of the river during our stay. We will be back in the future for the same program.
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Scott S Avatar
Scott S
7/28/2024
5 star ratingWonderful time at Madawaska Family Rafting Wednesday, July 31 2024 @ 12:30pm - 2:30pm We went rafting with our 10 year old twin granddaughters and friends Andy, Dianne, Maggie and Abbie. Our guide Alix was excellent. Alix explained every detail of the trip before we entered the rapids. It is very safe for all ages. We had a great time and will not forget our memories. We plan on making this a yearly event. Thank you to Madawaska Family Rafting for the wonderful time! Andrew and Marlene
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Marlene S Avatar
Marlene S
8/08/2024
Wednesday November 27th

Early bird sale.

20% OFF

KAYAK AND CANOE PROGRAMS AT MKC

Please get in touch with us prior, so we can prepare your quote in advance.

early bird sale heron
GET A QUOTE

Must place deposit between 9am and 6pm EST November 27th to receive discount.

We cannot combine discounts.

March 4th - 8th 2024

10% off

5 day kayak + canoe courses

5% of all revenue from this week is donated to your choice of three organizations

We are forever grateful for the support we continually receive from our communities. To say a small thanks, we want to give back.

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