Information
The Maniwaki High School site, alongside the Désert River, is the designated camping ground during the event and serves as Festival headquarters for the entire weekend. The daily shuttles for the Désert and Gatineau River put-ins leave from here. The subscription package to the Festival allows the participants to benefit from the shuttle service, showers in the high school, Saturday and Sunday breakfast, a catered Saturday supper, the traditional whitewater sports equipment auction and the Saturday night party.
Animals are not allowed on site.
Download the road map in PDF format.
Rafting - Gatineau River
Saturday and Sunday, limited number of places, reservation required.
Cost: $60 per person per trip.
Tel. 1 888 449-3360
www.bonnetrougerafting.com
Canoeing and kayaking - Gatineau River
Maniwaki / Bouchette section.
Superb 8 km section of high volume Class III and IV rapids. There are well marked portages at all of the rapids. Breathtaking white rock shoreline. This is the heart of the Festival !
Canoeing and kayaking - Désert River
One departure only, Saturday at 9 AM.
Beautiful 11 km section of Class I and II rapids, in an enchanting mountainous territory. Natural scenery. A good choice for family adventure.
Exhibitors
Kiosks providing information, demonstrations and rental of nautical equipment will be present on site. Environmental protection and defence groups will also be present during the weekend.
Auction
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, whitewater and aquatic sports equipment will be offered at our auction. Start today putting your pennies aside and get quality equipment at a good price. You will be helping to protect our rivers. All profits from the auction are donated to the River Preservation Fund.
The Festival wants to thank MEC, Esquif, Canots Légaré, Relais Camp de base Gatineau, Kokatat, Kayak idéal, Echo Paddles and Camp de base Montréal, for their contribution in 2011.
(information for 2012 available soon)
Live entertainment
Last year, La Vesprée lit fire under the roof of the Festival big top!
(information for 2012 available soon)
For the public
Non-paddlers, family and friends can watch the most intrepid paddlers throw themselves into the Gueule du Lion, (Lion’s Mouth Chute), from the Savoyard covered bridge at Grand-Remous. The more experienced paddlers play this section of the Gatineau putting on a spectacular display.
Saturday from 10 AM to noon. Free access.
It is also possible to see the action at the last rapid and feel the atmosphere at the pull-out at the Bonnet Rouge in Sainte-Thérèse-de-la-Gatineau.
Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 4 PM. $3 access fee.
Departure for all activities is from the camping site in Maniwaki.
| 6:00 PM | Registration (until 11 PM) |
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast (last call 9 AM) |
| 7:30 | Registration (all day) |
| 8:00 | Welcoming address |
| 9:00 | Shuttle for the Désert (one departure only) |
| 9:00 | Shuttles for the Gatineau (last departure at 11 AM) |
| 3:30 PM | Return shuttles from the Gatineau (last shuttle leaves Bonnet Rouge at 5 PM) |
| 6:00 | Supper |
| 8:00 | Speeches, door prizes, auction |
| 9:00 | Entertainment |
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast (last call 9 AM) |
| 7:30 | Registration (until 12 PM) |
| 9:00 | Car Shuttle for the pull-out at Bonnet Rouge – registration required (for those wishing to leave for home after their run without returning to the headquarters) |
| 9:00 | Shuttles for the Gatineau (last departure at 11 AM) |
| 2:00 PM | Return shuttles from the Gatineau (last shuttle leaves the Bonnet Rouge at 4:00 PM) |
| 6:00 | Camping site closure |
Packages offered:
| Two day package, with supper | $65 | (advanced registration only) |
| Two day package, no supper | $65 | (on site registration only) |
| One day Saturday, no supper | $40 | (on site registration only) |
| One day Sunday, no supper | $30 | (on site registration only) |
| Children between 7 and 14 | $30 | |
| Children under 6 | Free |
The packages include:
Camping site, with access to washrooms and showers.
Saturday and/or Sunday breakfasts.
Saturday supper (advanced registration only): choice of salads, meal, dessert, tea or coffee.
Shuttle service.
Package prices do not include rafting which must be negotiated directly with Bonnet Rouge Rafting.
Participants are invited to bring their own plates, cups and cutlery. Plates will be available for those who forget.
The Town of Maniwaki provides access to the municipal swimming pool, weather and availability of lifeguards permitting. An on-site schedule will be posted.
Daycare:
The Festival is proud to partner with ‘Le Réseau des Petits Pas’ daycare centre to offer a daycare service (day camp) for children ages 3 and up.
Daycare schedule: 8:30 AM to 5 PM Saturday & Sunday.
Cost: $35 per day per child. Reservation required before Friday, August 19th 2011.
The Festival is held in Maniwaki, located 130 km (80 mi) north of Ottawa, and 330 km (200 mi) north-east of Montréal. Departure for all activities is from the Festival headquarters at the Maniwaki High School.
