Ottawa's water rescue teams were back in action this week, pulling stranded paddleboarders out of the Deschênes Rapids on the Ottawa River — a stretch of water that's quickly becoming one of the city's most frequent rescue sites.
A Recurring Hot Spot
According to Ottawa Fire Services, the Deschênes Rapids remain "the most frequent location for rescues by our water rescue teams." The area, located along the Ottawa River near the Deschênes area of the city, draws paddlers, kayakers, and paddleboarders looking to test themselves against the current — but that same current is exactly what keeps stranding people mid-river.
Ottawa's fire crews are trained and equipped specifically for these kinds of swift-water rescues, deploying specialized boats and rescue swimmers to reach people who get pinned against rocks or swept into sections of the rapids they can't paddle out of on their own.
Why Deschênes Keeps Catching People Off Guard
For anyone who hasn't paddled the Ottawa River before, the Deschênes Rapids can look deceptively calm from the shore. But the current picks up fast once you're on the water, and what starts as a casual paddle can turn into a real emergency within minutes. Paddleboarders in particular are vulnerable here — SUPs sit higher and catch more wind and current resistance than a kayak or canoe, making them harder to control once things get rough.
This isn't a one-off. Ottawa Fire Services has flagged this stretch of river repeatedly as a recurring problem zone, which suggests the geography itself — not just bad luck or inexperience — is doing a lot of the work here.
What This Means for Ottawa Paddlers
With warm weather drawing more people onto the Ottawa River every year, local paddlers should treat the Deschênes Rapids with real caution. A few things worth keeping in mind if you're heading out:
- Check water levels and current conditions before launching, especially after rain
- Always wear a proper personal flotation device, even on a calm-looking day
- Avoid paddling alone near known rapid sections
- If you do get stuck, stay with your board or craft rather than trying to swim against the current
Ottawa's water rescue teams are skilled and well-equipped, but the safest rescue is the one that never has to happen. For residents who love getting out on the river this time of year, Deschênes is a good reminder that Ottawa's most popular paddling spots can also be its most unforgiving.
Source: Ottawa Citizen
