WELCOME TO OTTAWA WA’A

Friday, March 19, 2021

OTTAWA WA’A is an all inclusive paddling sport challenge that received its name “Wa’a” from the traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoe. The inaugural OTTAWA WA'A was held in 2018 at Mooney’s Bay as part of the annual Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival. To keep everybody safe, this year’s event will be held virtually.

OTTAWA WA’A is open to OC1 (Outrigger Canoe), SUP (Stand Up Paddle Board), Surf Ski, 1X (Single Scull), Kayak, Canoe, Paddle Ergs or any other paddle-powered watercraft. We welcome everyone to join this challenge so if you can't hit the water feel free to complete the challenge using the activity of your choosing. 

Beginning March 20, registered participants can pursue championship gold by paddling anywhere in the world to complete a cumulative distance of 202k/126 miles, which is the length of the historic Rideau Canal. 

In Hawaiian culture the lei is given as a symbol of welcome and affection, so we offer a virtual lei made of Canadian Provincial and Territorial flowers to welcome participants from far and wide to register in this year’s OTTAWA WA’A.