On the 24th July 2022, 12 OCDTs and 3 staff from Oxford UOTC embarked on a 10-kayak expedition along the Ottawa River, Canada’s 8th largest. The aim was to provide lake and river-based training in a challenging environment, promoting teamwork and pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones. Throughout this expedition the OCdts had the opportunity to gain their K2F (Kayak to Foundation) and K3N (Kayak 3 Novice) qualifications.
Week One: Familiarisation
Bleary-eyed from travelling, the OCdts were greeted by our trip transport, a bright yellow American school bus. OCdt Annie Parker summing it up that she ‘only thought they existed on TV’. We were kitted up for the adventure and first met with the kayaks; our new homes on the water. An evening BBQ, frisbee and campfire later, we were fuelled and excited for what was to come.
Week one was familiarising ourselves with the vessels and learning the basic skills to complete our K2F qualification. The first couple of days we learnt how to paddle in all directions including forwards, backwards and upside down. We learnt how to get in and out the kayaks from various surroundings, had lessons about kayaking history and even had a go at using a Greenland paddle; essentially a long wooden stick that somewhat resembles the modern conventional paddle. Many OCdts actually preferred this more vintage design so we acquired one such novelty artefact for the rest of our trip.
Towards the end of the first week, the instructors increased the challenge, taking us on our first rapids and practising some planned and unplanned deep-water rescues. We also worked on some more advanced skills towards the K3N qualification including the T rescue drills to help rescue somebody submerged underwater. Everyone was excited to learn how to do the classic rolls in the kayak, resulting in varying success levels. On top of all this, the weather took a turn for the worst and on one particular day really tested how hard each of us had trained shoulders at the gym, with what felt like an endless paddle into a typhoon.
Armed with our new kayaking skill-set, we travelled to the beautiful and historic Jones Falls Lockstation, Ottawa, which would act as a starting point for our expedition phase. In the dark we put up our tents for the night, nervous but excited about what we were about to experience.
Week Two: The Expedition Phase – The Rideau Canal, Ottawa
The Expedition Phase tested each of us mentally and physically. We paddled upwards of 16km a day (On our longest day nearly 30km, traversing numerous historical locks in all weather conditions, carrying everything we needed to survive and making do with the basic facilities available on our waterside campsites. Having to navigate on the water was a new skill for most of us and was necessary to ensure we had somewhere dry to stay each night; a solid enough motivation to get it right!
Not only did we exponentially increase our kayaking competency, we were lucky enough to explore local towns, encounter countless Canadian wildlife and develop new skills such as fishing for our dinner. Although some days were emotional, the team never lost morale and encouraged everyone as one unit to keep moving forward and reach the next campsite. We learnt to appreciate the things we would normally take for granted like a warming hot chocolate at the end of the day and real toilets!
Due to the adverse weather conditions, we spent the final day of the expedition refining our now rather advanced aquatic skills, with every OCdt achieving their K2F qualification and 6 OCdts attaining the prestigious K3N. There was a sense of relief mixed with disappointment when our transport arrived to take us back to civilisation; the group had adapted to this new wilderness lifestyle and had grown fond of the kayaks that we had spent so much time with.
Overall, each OCdt came away from the trip with not only recognised qualifications but with experiences and memories that they will carry forward both in their military careers and personal lives. We would like to thank the staff, SSgt Devoy, Ben and Eddie who guided and mentored us throughout the trip and to Unities who made the whole trip possible. We can’t wait to tell you all about it! “It was a trip of a lifetime” – OCdt Harrison Gates.
(Written by OCdt Emily Jeffries), 1st year UOTC Officer Cadet.
