Ottawa Fire Services responded to a water rescue call on the Ottawa River Thursday afternoon after two paddleboarders got caught in strong current and wind and couldn't make it back to shore.
What happened
At about 4:19 p.m., crews received a 911 call reporting two paddleboarders in distress near the 300 block of Grandview Road, along the Ottawa River. According to the report, the pair were struggling against the current and wind conditions on the water and were unable to paddle back to shore on their own.
Ottawa Fire Services dispatched crews to the scene to carry out the rescue. Water rescues like this one are a reminder of how quickly conditions on the Ottawa River can shift, even for paddlers who feel confident on calmer days.
Why the Ottawa River catches people off guard
The Ottawa River is a popular spot for paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing throughout the summer and into early fall, with plenty of access points along Grandview Road and other riverside spots in the west end and beyond. But the river's current can be deceptively strong, especially near channels, bridges, and areas affected by wind gusts funnelling along the water.
What looks like a calm surface near shore can turn into a real fight against the current just a few hundred metres out, especially for paddleboarders, who sit higher up and catch more wind than kayakers or canoers. Combine a stiff breeze with a fast-moving current and even experienced paddlers can find themselves pushed further from shore than expected, burning through energy fast while trying to correct course.
A reminder for Ottawa paddlers
This incident is a timely reminder for anyone heading out on the Ottawa River this season. A few basics can go a long way: check the wind forecast before heading out, wear a personal flotation device even on a paddleboard, stick close to shore when conditions look uncertain, and let someone know your planned route and return time.
Ottawa Fire Services regularly responds to water rescues along the Ottawa River and the Rideau Canal during the warmer months, and officials continue to encourage paddlers to respect changing conditions rather than pushing through them.
No further details on the condition of the two paddleboarders involved in Thursday's rescue have been released.
Source: Ottawa Citizen
