RIVERSIDE MEMORIAL SERVICE
By Joe Kowalski
Publisher
FORESTERS FALLS — The whitewater community gathered at Inspiration Point Thursday afternoon, Nov 27th to remember good friend Juan Ugarte who died kayaking in Chile two weeks ago.
“Juanito”, as he was known to everyone, was from Peru and had spent the past two summers on the Ottawa River teaching kayaking and raft guiding at Wilderness Tours. His warm and friendly personality made him a friend to all. Juanito’s death is a tragic loss for this close-knit and worldwide community. Juanito was 34 years old.
The service was conducted by long time Beachburg resident and river guide Gaye Clarke. Sue Kowalski performed the reading “If I start the day without you” and provided the music. Good friend Joel Kowalski told the story of how he first met Juanito in a kayak competition several years ago in Chile. Joel was providing safety at the bottom of a waterfall when Juanito paddled the drop, got pummelled against the rocks and broke a finger. When Joel asked if he could help, Juanito smiled, reset his finger and finished the course. He was that type of paddler. Joel and Juanito instantly bonded and Joel invited him to come to Canada to teach in the Ottawa Kayak School.
After the service, everyone met at nearby Whitewater Brewery for a “Peruvian Wake” to celebrate Juanito’s life. Brewery owners, both named Chris Thompson, are paddlers and were good friends of Juanito. Centrally located at the intersection of Grants Settlement and Fletcher roads, the Brewery is just a short walk to the river and to Inspiration Point.
Inspiration Point was created several years ago by Wilderness Tours owner Joe Kowalski to remember and commemorate staff and friends of the river who have passed away. It’s like a tiny version of England’s Stonehenge with a memorial bench and stone with all the names. The location, at the base of the Lorne Rapids, is spectacular. Inspiration Point is open to the public and is a 20 minute walk from the Brewery.
