Ottawa River Rafting Expedition
News* — we purchased Esprit Rafting’s Ottawa River operations
* We’re excited about launching regular Ottawa River expeditions in 2026 (small-group 3 & 4-day trips). This summer (2025) we’re running a few pilot trips with private groups.
Please contact us if you’d like a private trip for a group of 15 to 25 people in September (2025).
This is a true wilderness trip where you can disconnect from the buzz of the city, bond with your group, and immerse yourself in nature.
What makes this Ottawa River trip so amazing?
- Raft world class whitewater with the river’s best guides. You’ll paddle a small (14′), sporty raft with maximum 5 other rafters and a guide. We’ll go to the best spots along the river’s multiple channels for any given water level. With experts at the helm (we only hire river professionals with 3+ seasons of experience to guide passenger rafts), you’re guaranteed to raft through the most fun and thrilling waves and surf spots on the river.
- Learn new watersports and backcountry skills: on days 2 & 3, you can opt to kayaraft (inflatable kayak), riverboard, swim, hike, and fish. Learn whitewater skills including safety concepts and how to ‘read’ the river. Also learn backcountry camping tips and tricks from your guides, who also work as rescue instructors and lead river expeditions around the world.
- Recharge on a true wilderness expedition. We camp beside the rapid. Dine and recline ’round the crackling fire. Be soothed by the sounds of rushing water. See the stars rise above the misting river or through the canopy of towering white pines. If you’re new to camping, we’ll show you how to stay comfy in the woods. If you’re an experienced river tripper…you already know the deep feelings of peacefulness and relaxation that getting out on a multi-day wilderness trip can bring.
An Internationally Renowned Whitewater Destination
The Ottawa River is a mecca for paddlers, with a variety of rapids that cater to every type of adventurer:
- Rafter’s paradise — The Middle and Main Channels are famous for big water rapids like Coliseum, The Buseater, and Garvin’s Chutes
- Wave surfer’s dream — From freestyle kayak World Championsip site, The Garburator, to smaller beginner-friendly spots like S-Bend, there are surfing spots for all skill levels
- Instructional playground — with so many rapids and options at every water level, there’s no better place to learn whitewater kayaking, rafting, riverboarding, canoeing, and rescue skills
Activities & Experiences
- Whitewater rafting
- Wilderness camping
- Survival and nature skills
- Whitewater kayaking, riverboarding, canoeing, kayarafting (inflatable kayaking), packrafting
- Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP)
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Swimming
Carrying Forward the Esprit Rafting Legacy
For over 30 years, Esprit Rafting has been a cornerstone of the Ottawa River paddling community. Founded in 1992 by Jim Coffey, Esprit build a reputation for top-tier rafting trips and international adventure travel.
Danny Peled & Ty Smith purchased the Ottawa rafting operations of Esprit Rafting in February 2025, continuing it’s legacy under the Boreal River Expeditions banner.
Ty and Danny started as raft guides with Esprit in the early 2000’s. Over the past two decades, they’ve led expeditions across Canada and internationally, and trained thousands of people in whitewater rescue and wilderness first response.
Danny founded Boreal River in 2008, launching rafting expeditions on the Mutehekau Shipu (Magpie River) in northeastern Quebec.
Ty managed rafting operations for a company on the Elaho River in Squamish, BC and has now spent 8+ seasons leading expeditions on northern Patagonia’s Futaleufu River, in Chile.
Now, Ty and Danny are excited to be back on the Ottawa — and looking forward to continuing Esprit’s rafting legacy and also evolving new trips and instructional programs that allow more people to have amazing experiences on the river.
Jim continues running canoe trips, outfitting services, and training courses on the Ottawa’s tributary rivers (the Coulonge, Noire, Dumoine, and Petawawa), leading international trips for kayakers and canoeists, and teaching courses as Esprit Whitewater.
Read more about our stories here
Jim, Ty, and Danny are all thrilled with the way things have come around full circle. We’re excited about the future and hope to see you on the river!