Canoe + Kayak Courses

Find the perfect active getaway for you

Browse our Courses

We have something for everyone

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

1030 / 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

$475 / Per person

Course Details
Weekend

Pack Raft on the Madawaska

NEW! Pack Raft the Madawaska River with Theresa Landman

Beginner
Intermediate

$618 / 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

$618 / 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

$1355 / Per person

Course Details
5 Days

CAN RVR SUP on the Madawaska

MKC is stoked to have CAN RVR SUP on the Madawaska this year! With 2 courses to choose from- early Spring and late Summer- come get your SUP on!

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

$1030 / 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

$433 / 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

$1030 / 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

824 / 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

$1030 / 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

$475 / 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

$2999 / 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

$1180 / 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

$1030 / Per person

Course Details

International Whitewater Women Program

From around the world, we are inviting whitewater women together to kayak, canoe, SUP, pack raft, and see the rivers of Ontario, Canada together!

Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced

$2060 / 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

$927 / 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

$428 / 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

$395 / 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

$275 / 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

$1030 / 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

$275 / 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 ratingA great week at MKC I have been to MKC many times over the years, and it is a fabulous way to spend a weekend or a week. I did the 5 day kayaking course with my daughter and granddaughter this year. The instruction at MKC is some of the best you will find anywhere in the world. The facilities are beautiful. It is set in a wooded area of north east Ontario. August is a great time to attend because the water is warm, and not a lot of bugs. July may be a bit warmer, , and early September in this area can be very beautiful, and the water is still warm. May and June in this area can be a bit buggy so come prepared if you are going in the early summer.

The river is dam fed from a top release dam, so the conditions are consistent and the water warm-- no need for dry suits-- I think the water was around 80 degrees this past week. The river itself is probably a class 2-3 river, but has some good technical lines for more advanced paddlers.

MKC is great at accommodating all levels of paddlers. I have gone with paddlers who have never been in white water, or a kayak for that matter, and by the end of the week, they are running the river with confidence. I have been doing white water kayaking for around 30 years, and I still learn something new every time I go. More importantly, I have fun with both the family I bring and the staff at the facility.

The business is now being managed by the founder's granddaughter. It is a third generation business. Stefi holds true to her grand parents and parents vision of a top notch teaching facility, but at the same time brings her own touches and personality to the operation. Since Stefi has starting running MKC, I have notice some really nice changes to the facilities, and the food is excellent-- I am vegetarian and really enjoyed the vege dishes. Lots of good looking meat dishes for those who like them. The staff all seem to be very happy and excited to be doing what they are doing. They clearly have a solid team that makes every part of the experience excellent.

There are various packages available. You can camp and do your own meals if you are on a budget. They have bunk style rooms for groups, and individual rooms for individuals and couples. There are also several screen walled cabins up in the bush that I love-- feels like camping but with a real bed and no wet tent to deal with when you get home. The accommodations are not fancy, but clean and comfortable. The chalet where meals are served and where people gather is beautiful. If you have kayaks (or canoes if that is what you are doing) you can use your own equipment or rent from MKC. There equipment is top of the line.

Price wise, I view it as an all inclusive vacation with the added benefit of instruction. It is a lot less money that you would pay for an all inclusive vacation pretty much anywhere else, and you are building skills and great memories.
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Chris C Avatar
Chris C
8/13/2023
5 star ratingGreatest summer adventure for an old gal The whitewater was truly amazing and our guide Ralph was terrific. My 5th time and my son's 1st. It was so much fun to share. No experience necessary they take good care of you
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SLM G Avatar
SLM G
6/29/2023
5 star ratingAdventure Rafting Great day adventure rafting with friends and family. From bridge jumping, surfing, flipping the raft and the laughs in between. Thanks to our guide Tatiana for an entertaining 2 hours.
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Sherpa57752201563 Avatar
Sherpa57752201563
8/05/2023
November 17th 10am - 6pm EST

Early bird sale.

20% OFF

all 2 and 5 day MKC kayak and canoe programs. Includes Yoga Week, Slalom Week, Week of Rivers, Women’s Week and Weekend, Family Weeks and Weekends, Senior’s Week, Kayak and canoe instructor courses

Must place deposit to receive discount. We cannot combine discounts.

early bird sale heron
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.