Vision Statement: To share the magic of the Ottawa River
Mandate: By providing enriching experiences on the river that influence our guests, our staff, our community and the environment.
Meet our all woman executive team, consisting of Natalie Grant and Kirstin Thompson (KT). They are at the helm of day-to-day business operations during the season and spearheading planning, development, and sales activities in the off-season.
OWL Rafting is a third generation family owned and operated business. Beginning with our founders Hermann and Christa Kerckhoff in the summer of 1981. The Kerckhoff’s immigrated to Canada in the late 50’s and fell in love with the river, in 1972 they started the worlds first whitewater kayak and canoe school known as Madawaska Kanu Centre. Hermann and their daughter Claudia were the first kayakers to descend the Ottawa River, discovering a prime location for rafting. Now both companies are thriving thanks to their current owners Claudia and Dirk Van Wijk. The third generation are quickly becoming more involved as well with Stefani Van Wijk as Director of MKC and Katrina on OWL’s Executive Team.
We are proud to share our magical home of the river with you!
At OWL Rafting, sustainability is part of everything we do. For over 40 years, we’ve called the Ottawa River home—honouring its history, respecting its ecosystem, and working to protect it for future generations.
We minimize waste by composting food scraps and using reusable plates, cups, and cutlery—no single-use takeaway cups. Our meals feature locally sourced ingredients and fresh produce from our kitchen garden, supporting regional farms and reducing our footprint.
We actively reduce single-use plastics by offering recyclable packaging and working with suppliers to improve sustainability. Many now provide reusable containers, exchanged weekly.
Low-flow showers, composting toilets, and waterless urinals help reduce water use, while solar pre-heating supports our guest facilities.
Each season, our team conducts a shoreline clean-up to remove litter and protect this iconic Canadian waterway.
Digital waivers and online reservations save thousands of sheets of paper each year. Even in the office, we make every page count.
We use energy-efficient LED lighting and are introducing EV charging stations. Staff accommodations operate off-grid, minimizing energy consumption.
By connecting guests to the river, we inspire a deeper appreciation for nature and sustainable travel.
Our Commitment: We’ve signed the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge, reinforcing our commitment to responsible rafting, eco-tourism, and long-term environmental stewardship.
From Australia, Tim ensures that the raft trips run smoothly and that the guides are delivering the best trips possible throughout the season. If you can’t find him on the river you’ll find him repairing rafts and getting things ready for upcoming trips. He is always stoked to share his passion for whitewater and hopes to pass it on to others through the rafting trips.
Do you have specific skills in one of the areas listed below, enjoy the outdoors especially the whitewater world, and love interacting with people?
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We would love to hear from you. Whether to share a story, ask a question or give us feedback, please get in touch with us.
Learn MoreReady for rafting season? Book between May 16 and June 26 and save up to $20 per person.
