September 25–27, 2026
HeLa Ventures, near Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
Join paddlers from across Alberta for a weekend of clinics, river trips, professional development, shared meals and community.
This year’s Rendezvous will also celebrate Paddle Alberta’s 50th anniversary with a special banquet and presentation on Saturday evening.
Registration is limited to 42 participants and may close early.
Every person attending must purchase their own weekend registration ticket.
Your registration includes:
The included meal plan is valued at $105 per person.
Please provide your dietary restrictions and food allergies when registering. Contact Paddle Alberta before registering if you have a serious or potentially life-threatening allergy so we can confirm whether your needs can be accommodated.
Please review the clinic descriptions before registering. Some clinics have experience, certification, membership or equipment requirements.
Selecting a clinic during registration is a request and does not guarantee placement. Please read our Clinic Placement and Refund Policy below for details.
Onsite accommodation can be added to your registration.
| Option | Weekend Cost | How to Register |
|---|---|---|
| Tenting | $30 per site | One person purchases the site |
| Dorm-style cabin | $30 per person | Each person purchases a space |
| Private cabin | $100 per cabin | One person purchases the cabin; maximum two occupants |
| RV or trailer parking | $50 per unit | One person purchases the parking space |
Only four private cabins and 12 RV or trailer spaces are available.
Everyone attending—including people sharing a tent, private cabin, RV or trailer—must purchase their own weekend registration ticket.
The Fall Rendezvous includes recreational paddling trips, rescue training and Paddle Canada instructor maintenance clinics.
During registration, you will be asked to select the clinics you prefer
Please review the following before selecting a clinic:
Selecting a clinic does not guarantee placement. Paddle Alberta will confirm clinic assignments based on capacity, eligibility, experience, equipment requirements and participant safety.
After 5:00 p.m. — Arrival and Check-In
Settle into your accommodation and collect your event information.
7:00 p.m. — Welcome Social
Meet other participants and reconnect with Alberta’s paddling community.
8:00 a.m. — Breakfast
8:45 a.m. — Mandatory Morning Meeting
Welcome, safety information, clinic meeting locations, transportation instructions and schedule updates.
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. — Saturday Clinics and Activities
6:30 p.m. — Paddle Alberta 50th Anniversary Banquet
Join us for dinner, dessert, a special history presentation and Paddle Alberta’s anniversary celebration.
8:00 a.m. — Breakfast
8:45 a.m. — Mandatory Morning Meeting
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. — Sunday Clinics
4:30 p.m. — Event Conclusion
Saturday Full day clinic – 9am- 4pm
Instructor Trainer: Fin MacNeill
Max # of Particpants: 8
Meeting location: Blue Bridge, North Saskatchewan River
Lunch: Provided on the river
This on-water clinic is for eligible instructors who need to maintain their Paddle Canada Moving Water Canoe Instructor certification.
Participants will paddle the North Saskatchewan River from Blue Bridge to the Brierlies. Paddlers should expect Class II-II+ moving water, including strong eddy lines, waves, and fast current.
Participants must have:
Participants must bring their own:
Swimming is not planned, but participants must dress for the possibility of an unexpected swim.
Shuttle arrangements will be reviewed during the Saturday morning meeting.
This clinic continues through the afternoon.
Saturday Full-day clinic 9am- 4pm
Instructor Trainer: Tony Palmer
Max # of Particpants: 9
Location: Twin Lakes
Lunch: Provided at Twin Lakes
This Paddle Canada instructor maintenance clinic is open to eligible instructors with a current Sea Kayak Instructor certification.
The clinic provides professional development, skills practice, rescue review, networking, and opportunities to share teaching techniques and current best practices.
Eligible participants can use this clinic to maintain their Paddle Canada instructor certifications in accordance with Paddle Canada requirements.
Participants must have:
Participants must bring:
Rescue practice will be included, and participants should expect to get wet. Please dress appropriately for the weather and water temperature.
Saturday Full-day activity – 9am- 4pm
Leader: Logan Jones
Max # of Particpants: 6
Meeting location: Blue Bridge, North Saskatchewan River
Lunch: Provided on the river
Join us for a full day of solo canoe paddling on the North Saskatchewan River from Blue Bridge toward Rocky Mountain House.
This recreational run is intended for paddlers with solid moving-water skills who are comfortable paddling in Class II rapids and strong current.
The day may include:
Participants must bring their own properly outfitted solo canoe, paddling and safety equipment, and clothing suitable for the water and weather.
Saturday Morning Session 9am-12pm
Leader: Matthew Webber
Max # of Particpants: 8
Location: Crimson Lake
Experience the fun of paddling a Big Canoe in a flatwater environment.
This introductory session focuses on teamwork, communication, and learning how a crew works together to paddle a large canoe.
No previous Big Canoe experience is required.
Participants must bring:
Saturday Afternoon 1:30pm-4pm
Leader: Matthew Webber
Max # of Particpants: 8
Location: Crimson Lake
Missed the morning session or prefer an afternoon paddle? Join the afternoon Big Canoe session for another opportunity to learn, paddle, and work as part of a crew.
No previous Big Canoe experience is required.
Participants must bring:
Saturday: Time TBD
Instructor: TBD
Max # of Particpants: TBD
Meeting location: TBD
Lunch: Provided on the river
This on-water clinic is for club members looking to work on their white water tandem canoe skills.
Participants will be paddling on the North Saskatchewan River. Paddlers should expect Class II-II+ moving water, including strong eddy lines, waves, and fast current.
Participants must bring their own:
Swimming is not planned, but participants must dress for the possibility of an unexpected swim.
Shuttle arrangements will be reviewed during the Saturday morning meeting.
Saturday Afternoon activity 1:30pm -4pm
Volunteer coordinator: Karla Handy
Max # of Particpants: TBA
Meeting location: Blue Bridge, North Saskatchewan River
This fun river run is for experienced club members and instructors who are comfortable paddling Class II – II+ moving water in a whitewater kayak, packraft, or SUP.
Required abilities:
Depending on water levels and conditions, there may also be an opportunity for surfing at the Brierlies.
This is a volunteer-coordinated, non-guided river run. Participants are responsible for their own decisions and safety on the river. However, some experienced paddlers in the group may be available to offer informal, low-key mentorship and tips for improving strokes, manoeuvres, and general paddling skills.
Participants must bring their own appropriate, fully outfitted whitewater kayak, SUP, or packraft, along with all required paddling, rescue, and safety equipment.
Full-day clinic 9am- 4pm
Instructor Trainer: Logan Jones
Max # of Particpants: 8
Meeting location: Blue Bridge, North Saskatchewan River
Lunch: Provided on the river
Join other Paddle Canada instructors for a full day of professional development, networking, skills practice, and knowledge sharing on the North Saskatchewan River.
This clinic is open to eligible Introductory through Advanced Solo Moving Water Canoe Instructors.
Participants will have opportunities to:
Participants must have:
Participants must bring their own properly outfitted solo canoe, paddling equipment, rescue equipment, and clothing suitable for the water and weather.
This clinic continues through the afternoon.
Full-day clinic – 9am- 4pm
Instructor Trainer: Tony Palmer
Max # of Particpants: 9
Location: Twin Lakes
Lunch: Provided lakeside
This Paddle Canada instructor maintenance clinic is for eligible instructors with a current Stand Up Paddleboard Instructor certification.
The clinic includes professional development, skills practice, rescue review, networking, and opportunities to share instructional techniques and best practices.
Eligible participants can use this clinic to maintain their Paddle Canada instructor certifications in accordance with Paddle Canada requirements.
Participants must have:
Participants must bring:
Rescue practice will be included, and participants should expect to get wet. Please dress appropriately for the weather and water temperature.
Sunday Morning clinic – 9am-12:00pm
Instructor: Fin MacNeill
Max # of Particpants: 8
Meeting location: HeLa, followed by travel to the river location
Gain hands-on experience with throwbag and contact rescues in moving water.
Participants will practise both rescuer and victim roles while learning about:
Participants will be swimming and must bring:
Sunday Afternoon clinic – 1:30pm – 4:00pm
Instructor: Fin MacNeill
Max # of Particpants: 12
Location: HeLa
Learn how mechanical-advantage rope systems can be used for boat extractions and other paddling-related situations. Anchor system equipment is provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own if they have it.
In this hands-on clinic, participants will practise:
Participants are responsible for bringing the equipment listed in their selected clinic descriptions.
Unless otherwise stated, Paddle Alberta will not be supplying personal paddling equipment.
Depending on your clinic, you may need:
Some clinics take place away from HeLa at Twin Lakes, Crimson Lake, or locations along the North Saskatchewan River.
Participants may be responsible for travelling between the event site and clinic meeting locations. River clinics may also require vehicle shuttles. Transportation and shuttle instructions will be organized by clinic leaders after the morning meeting.
Clinic spaces are limited. Placement will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis among participants who meet all listed prerequisites and eligibility requirements.
Selecting a clinic during registration does not guarantee placement. Paddle Alberta will review registrations to confirm that participants:
Please carefully review the clinic descriptions and provide accurate information about your experience, certifications, memberships, and equipment.
All Fall Rendezvous participants will be required to review and sign a HeLa Ventures waiver before participating in the event.
Participants attending a Paddle Canada clinic, including an instructor maintenance clinic, will also be required to review and sign the applicable Paddle Canada waiver before participating.
Participants who do not complete the required waiver or waivers will not be permitted to participate in the applicable clinics or event activities.
If your selected clinic is full or Paddle Alberta determines that you do not meet its requirements, we will contact you and, where possible, offer you a suitable alternate clinic with available space.
You may choose to:
If you accept an alternate clinic or choose to attend the weekend without participating in your original clinic choice, your registration will remain active and no refund will be issued.
Paddling activities may be affected by:
Paddle Alberta and its clinic leaders may change clinic locations or times, modify planned activities, reassign participants, offer an alternate activity, or cancel a clinic when it cannot be safely delivered.
When a clinic is changed or cancelled, Paddle Alberta will make reasonable efforts to provide a suitable alternate clinic or activity.
A refund will be available when Paddle Alberta cancels a participant’s clinic and cannot offer a suitable alternate that the participant accepts. Participants may choose to:
Refunds will not normally be provided for minor schedule adjustments, location changes, modified clinic content, or weather-related changes when a reasonable alternate clinic or activity is available.
Refunds under this policy may be provided when:
Refunds will not be provided when a participant is unable to participate because they did not complete a required waiver after being given a reasonable opportunity to do so.
Refunds apply only to amounts paid directly to Paddle Alberta. Any optional contribution made to Zeffy during checkout is separate from the Paddle Alberta registration fees and cannot be refunded by Paddle Alberta.
Paddle Alberta will notify registered participants of significant schedule, location, or clinic changes as soon as reasonably possible.
Your registration is not complete until payment has been submitted through Zeffy.
Please remember:
Please confirm that all names, contact information, dietary needs, clinic requests, experience details, memberships, and certifications are accurate before submitting your registration
Zeffy may suggest an additional voluntary contribution during checkout.
This contribution goes directly to Zeffy and is separate from your Paddle Alberta event registration fees.
You are not required to make this contribution.
To remove the contribution:
Please contact Paddle Alberta before registering if you have questions about:
We look forward to welcoming you to the 2026 Paddle Alberta Fall Rendezvous and celebrating Paddle Alberta’s 50th anniversary together!
