Becky Mason inherited her paddling skills and deep love for canoes from her father, the legendary canoeist Bill Mason, author and filmmaker of the Path of the Paddle series. She carries on the family tradition by sharing her passion for canoeing through a variety of avenues, including paddling instruction, filmmaking, writing, workshops, demonstrations, and slideshow presentations. In addition to her work in the paddling world, Becky is also a visual artist with over 30 years of exhibition experience in both public and commercial galleries, as well as studio tours.

In her role as an ambassador for the sport, Becky is also a Paddle Canada Instructor-Trainer and a Patron of Paddle Canada.

Becky resides in Chelsea, QC, with her husband, Reid McLachlan, where she continues to teach canoeing on Meech Lake. 2025 will mark the 38th year of her Classic Canoeing paddling school at the lake. Connecting with paddlers from all over is important to Becky, and she and Reid have traveled extensively throughout Canada and the northern U.S., presenting at a wide range of venues. Additionally, they’ve toured Europe and the UK three times, teaching and sharing their love for canoeing, its skills, culture, and heritage.

Becky has directed, produced, written, and starred in two award-winning instructional videos: Basic Classic Solo Canoeing and Advanced Classic Solo Canoeing. In 2009, she played a key role in revising the Paddle Canada Lake Canoe Manual and presented at the launch of the updated program. She remains an active Paddle Canada Instructor-Trainer and takes great joy in mentoring the next generation of paddling talent emerging through the organization.

Whether she’s enjoying a quiet paddle on a local creek, embarking on an extended wilderness adventure, or skating and skiing on the beautiful Gatineau River near her home during winter, Becky is at her happiest when she’s on the water.

Becky’s husband, Reid McLachlan, is an accredited Paddle Canada instructor for both flatwater and moving water. He is a passionate canoeist and also a talented visual artist, specializing in drawing and painting.

Becky and Reid are excited to be part of the 2025 Open Canoe Festival, where they will share their canoeing expertise. For the first time in OCF history, they will offer workshops in the Canadian canoe style on flatwater, alongside tandem canoe workshops and a special conference on Bill Mason’s canoe heritage.

POOLIDOR is an electronic music duo that blends traditional music from Berry and North Africa. They produce a raw, hypnotic sound by combining organic timbres and percussion with the gleaming waves of electro. On stage, a hurdy-gurdy, complete with pedalboard and bicycle wheel, faces a vinyl turntable. This timeless construction is complemented by machines, violin and vocals.

In tandem, two musicians, accomplices for many years, take the audience into an enchanted trance. POOLIDOR is much more than a concert, it's also a spellbinding visual experience and, above all, an irresistible invitation to dance.

Saturday April 19, 9:30 pm under the Open Canoe Festival Tipi.

Here's the Open Canoe Festival 2024 video.

This year, we wanted to show the OCF's DNA, what we want to share with this event. Only the international side doesn't stand out, but we haven't forgotten our many foreign coaches and the 13 European countries taking part.

Thanks to all of you!

The Drôme is one of the last wild rivers in Europe, with a natural, torrential flow. It meanders for 106 km from its source to its confluence with the Rhône.

As a result, it is home to some exceptional flora and fauna, and in particular to two experts in camouflage:

On the banks
The ringed plover: this small bird lays 4 eggs on the ground among the pebbles. Their camouflage colour means they can be mistaken for the river's pebbles. Be careful where you step!

In the water
The zingel asper: this small fish endemic to the Rhône basin is in danger of extinction. It only survives in rivers with a natural profile and was reintroduced to the Drôme a few years ago. Here's a hint on how to spot it: lying on the bottom of the water, its eyes glow in the night like a cat's!
Take advantage of your stay to admire the biodiversity that surrounds you and treat it with respect.

Enjoy the descent!
To find out more, go to:
https://www.lagaredesramieres.com/fr/
https://aprondurhone.fr/

The Open Canoe Festival is proud to welcome a new partner: Atlas for men.

Founded in 1999, Atlas for men is the leader in outdoor clothing and accessories for adventurers, explorers and amateurs alike. Soft and warm for winter, lightweight and breathable for summer, their clothing is comfortable to wear and easy to take care of. With a timeless and authentic style, their menswear collections are inspired by the great outdoors, prioritizing practical cuts for complete freedom of movement. Under the Atlas for women label, their womenswear boasts quality and elegance!

In 2024, Atlas for men become our official supplier, equipping our 30 instructors with a magnificent flannel shirt (canoeists love that!).

Numerous prizes will also be offered by Atlas for men in our grand prize draw.

Record for the longest title! All this to tell you that we've created a new FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section.

Can I bring my dog to the OCF? Are canoes provided? How do I win the lottery? Do I need to reserve a campsite? How do I register for workshops? Why is the OCF called the OCF… You'll know it all!

And if you don't find the answer you're looking for: contact us and we'll fill in the FAQ.

The FAQ is here!

This is the Open Canoe Festival!

Some basic psychology to avoid giving up canoeing after the first descent… and save your relationship!

By Paul Villecourt / www.villecourt.com

In North America, canoeing is often called the "divorce boat"! You will understand why. When a few friends embark on the river for the first time, logic naturally pushes couples to form crews. At first sight, this reassures the ladies and the egos of the men are inflated since they are suddenly the guarantors of the couple's safety on the water. Big mistake! We are all equal when it comes to technical ignorance, yet at the first (or rather third) mistake in the trajectory, all couples have the same reflex. At the beginning, we embark on this unknown boat, the sun is shining, the birds are singing. Mister seats at the back of the canoe, Madam takes the front and off you go! After 5 seconds, the boat starts to move sideways. The strong man doesn't take it personally and tries to get the boat back on course, usually relying only on his muscles. The canoe returns to the desired course, 2 seconds before starting again on the other side. Without any technical adjustments, the crew will paddle 30 km, whereas the descent is only 15 km. The first "freak-out" is bound to occur before the end of the first half-hour.

• Him: "What are you doing?
• Her: "Can't you see we're turning?
• Him: "paddle on the other side for f... s... !

In short, the crew is going crazy. Add to this the fatigue, the headwind and the sunburn, and the descent becomes a nightmare.

Rule number 1: never go on a trip as a couple if you are new to canoeing. Mix crews because you will have more restraint and you will be more positive with someone who is not your partner in life.

Rule number 2: before getting on board, be aware that although canoeing is not very difficult, it does require a minimum of technical skills that can be acquired in half an hour. Take the time to discover the boat before starting the descent.

Rule number 3: Canoeing is a team sport. No one is more responsible than the other for flipping or bumping into rocks. Acknowledging this from the start creates a positive atmosphere in the canoe. It is important to recognise mistakes made by the crew without blaming the other, and above all to try to solve technical problems together.

Conclusion: you like canoeing? You care about your relationship? Come to the Open Canoe Festival!

This list has been tested for trips of 30 to 60 days. It includes the essentials, although you can always do more minimalist. All this gear fits into a large 100/120 litre waterproof bag which will therefore contain all the bags described below. For shorter trips, surprisingly the equipment is not much different. Remember: the pack is the weight of our fears!

By Paul Villecourt : PDF checklist available at the bottom of this page.

1/ Overnight items (in a 20/30 litre waterproof bag):

• Sleeping bag
• Thermal bag for cold nights
• Inflatable mattress
• Sleep mask
• Ear plugs
• Inflatable or synthetic pillow

2/ Camping gear:

• Tent + ground sheet stored in a waterproof bag on the canoe, to take out quickly and dry during breaks
• Hammock if you prefer than a tent
• Tarp (essential!)
• Folding seat (take care of your back!)
• 120 L bag containing all the gear bags (buy really good waterproof bags!)

3/ Clothes (in a 20/30 litre waterproof bag):

• 3 t-shirts
• 2 pants of or zip-up shorts/pants that can be used for anything
• 3 kit of underwears
• 3 pairs of socks
• 3 Merino thermals for everything (bivouac and canoe)
• 1 flannel shirt for everything (because it's nice, it's warm and it's classy in a canoe!)
• 1 warm jumper or light hoodie
• Hat or cap
• 2 neck gaiters
• Down jacket
• Tights
• All-purpose gore tex or specialised canoe anorak with hood
• 1 pair of light outdoor shoes for the bivouac

4/ Toiletry bag:

• 1 soap in a Tupperware box
• Deodorant (some do without…)
• Toothbrush + toothpaste
• 1 large light towel for everything
• 1 razor
• Sanitary pads

5/ Pharmacy kit (in a small waterproof bag):

• Paracetamol
• Tweezers
• Physiological serum
• Bandages, compresses and cleaning pads
• Compeed (for blisters)
• Anti histamines
• White tiger balm
• Survival blanket
• Some essential oils

6/ Canoe gear:

• Lifejacket (PFD)
• Knife and whistle in the PFD
• Reeving kit: 3 prussiks (ropes), 5 karabiners, 2/3 pulleys, a reeving strap
• 15/20 metre safety rope
• Waterproof pants
• Water shoes (very good shoes or hiking boots: protect your feet!)
• Neoprene socks (warm and very comfortable, even when wet)
• Knee pads if there are no foam pads in the canoe
• River anorak or mountain Gore Tex good for everything
• Ropes on the canoe grab loops (2X 5/8 meters)
• 1 paddle per person + 1 spare per canoe
• Straps to attach the bags to the canoe (not essential: beware of foot entrapments!)
• Transport cart

7/ Kitchen barrel:

• Lightweight ground sheet
• Kitchen towel
• Stove + gas
• Pan
• Casserole
• Utensils (forks, spoons, knife, wooden spatula)
• Plates and bowls
• Salt and pepper in a small box
• Olive oil
• Lighter
• Scraper sponge
• Light folding bucket for washing up and laundry
• Bio dishwashing liquid
• Small waterproof bag sacrificed to use as a trashbag (10/20 litres)
• Water bag (10 litres or more).
• Individual water bottle
• Water filter
• Micropur / water disinfection tablets (in case of doubt)
• Cooler for some comfort trips
• Food (of course!)

8/ Repair bag (in small waterproof bag):

• Rislans
• Spare canoe screws and bolts
• Multi function tool
• Ducktape (essential)
• Simgrip type glue for repairing tents, mattresses, etc.

9/ Day bag (deck bag, waterproof, 20/30 litres):

• Lighter
• Toilet paper
• Hat or cap
• Windbreaker (specialised anorak or mountain Gore Tex)
• Sunglasses
• Sun cream
• Mosquito repellent / net hat
• Lip balm
• Papers / wallet
• Phone (tip: in a waterproof case)
• Headlamp
• Notebook + pencil

10/ Electronics (in a waterproof bag or small waterproof case):

• Camera
• SD cards stored in mini Tupperware boxes (2 to separate full and empty cards)
• USB charger for camera or Gopro batteries
• Camera batteries
• Mini tripod
• Solar panel
• 1 or 2 large batteries 24000 Mph + cables to charge batteries, phone…
• GPS watch or GPS + cable
• 4 port USB charger / wall socket if we cross the civilization
• Phone headphones (to listen to music…)

This checklist can be downloaded in PDF format by clicking below:

You will be pampered from the moment you arrive at the Open Canoe Festival! In the welcome bag given to everyone: the legendary T-shirt, a sticker, the programme, but also a superb poster!

It's always a tricky choice, so every year, we ask what you think with a poll on our Facebook page.