by Connie Tabbert
Editor
COBDEN — A major event held on the Ottawa River in the Township of Whitewater Region is one of the finalists in the Special Event Category award for the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association.
The 2015 International Canoe Federation World Freestyle Kayak Championship is up against five other finalists for the honour.
“I feel fantastic,” saidMatt McGuire, even director. “It’s one of the biggest events that the region has hosted in Whitewater. It was the big show in whitewater, especially with the Ottawa River being the mecca for the freestyle world.”
Mr. McGuire said he wasn’t surprised the event was nominated for the award.
“Whitewater Region is called Whitewater Region for a reason,” he said. “The OVTA brands the Ottawa River as the destination for whitewater playground. All of the rafting companies on this river put more people down-river in a single year than any other river in the country.”
With Wilderness Tours hosting such a prestigious event, Mr. McGuire was not surprised the event was nominated.
“We’re certainly humbled,” Mr. McGuire said.
Working with Mr. McGuire for this event was an organizational committee, which included Wilderness Tours and its support staff, Paula Troutman and Jana Crause leading all of the volunteers.
The event was Aug. 30 to Sept. 5.
Mr. McGuire said he would love for the event to win the award.
“It would be super-cool,” he said.
As an organizer, Mr. McGuire didn’t have opportunity to check out as much of the event he would have liked, but the feedback from spectators and competitors was great.
Many competitors, who have come to the Ottawa River year after year, said it was the top choice for a wave in a river.
At many world championship events, there’s not always a world-class river to back it up, Mr. McGuire noted.
“The Ottawa River is one of the only places in the world that provides places for beginniners to go, as well as world class athletes to train on,” Mr. McGuire said.
The Ottawa River has made “spoiled rotten brats” of those who are on the Ottawa River, because they are inundated with world-class whitewater, he said.
Christine FitzSimons, the Chief Administrative Officer for the Township of Whitewater Region, said it was exciting for the township to be a finalist in the category. But, she feels other players should have been included when the event was announced as a finalist.
“Certainly a lot more than the township should have been named,” she said. “We supported the event, but certainly Wilderness Tours and Joe Kowalski and all of the volunteers, certainly need to be recognized as well.
“Paula Troutman had a tribe of people decorating the town, doing all the logistics, getting all the volunteers organized. We supported it through Andrew’s work and the flags and pins and support on the day.
“We weren’t the major player,” she added.
During last night’s council meeting, Mayor Hal Johnson said, “It was an event that brought recognition to the township of Whitewater Region from all over the world.
“It was an extraordinarily, well-done function,” he said, “And a tremendous amount of thanks needs to go out to Paula and all her volunteers, of which there were many.
“It just proves that we have the know-how and wherewithal when people take it on themselves to do these things and make us, in the Township of Whitewater Region, look superb to the rest of the world,” the mayor added.
Councillor Charlene Jackson wanted it stressed that the event was put on by Wilderness Tours and Joe Kowalski organized it all through his contacts. She questioned why the township was being recognized instead of Wilderness Tours.
CAO FitzSimons noted that all events nominated in this category were attributed to the townships in which they were held.
Mayor Johnson said Mr. Kowalski was brought to the forefront throughout the event, but, he often pushed the volunteers to the forefront.
“That’s very good-natured of Joe to do that,” he said. “We need to put in a big thank you to Joe Kowalski for this event. It couldn’t have been held if there was no Joe Kowalski.”
Coun. Jackson added, “The kayak community came together and did a bang-up job. It was a fantastic event. Whitewater Region looked good at the event.”
The OVTA received nominations from all over the valley this year, including the Pontiac. A judging panel made up of members of the Board of Directors, members of the membership committee and Peter Emon, the Warden of Renfrew County, were tasked with the challenge of selecting a winner for each category.
“It was a difficult task to review the nominations and select only one winner per category,” Warden Emon said. “Debates were had around the table. Ultimately, though, it was an inspirational process to be a part of. We are so fortunate to have such dedicated individuals, forward-thinking businesses and high quality events call the Ottawa Valley home.”
OVTA communications co-ordinator Lauren McIllifaterick said, “The Ottawa Valley Tourism Awards are an annual celebration of the best of the best. All nominees should be very proud.”
The other finalists in the Special Event of the Year Award are the Tour de Bonnechere (Township of Bonnechere Valley); Deep River’s 70th Anniversary Celebrations (Town of Deep River); Paddle & Fiddle the Bonnechere River (Township of Bonnechere Valley); There’s Art in Your Woodpile – Creative Wood-Stacking Competition (Township of Madawaska Valley) and A Night of Memories: Log Drivers’ Dinner (Fort-Coulonge, Quebec).
The awards will be presented at the annual general meeting on Tuesday, April 26 at the Ma-Te-Way Centre in Renfrew.
