VCDS Canoe Race 2025
Registration Deadline Extended! Sign up by Friday 5 September at 1200 (noon).
VCDS Canoe Race for NDWCC 2025 – “Give a little, change a lot.”
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Thursday, 11th September 2025
0900 hrs – 1300 hrs
HMCS Carleton Jetty at Dow's Lake, 79 Prince of Wales Drive, Ottawa, ON, K0A 0K2
Grab your paddles and join the excitement as we mark the 25th annual VCDS Canoe Race!
This beloved tradition kicks off the National Defence Workplace Charitable Campaign (NDWCC) in the National Capital Region. It’s always a high-energy event, bringing together enthusiastic participants and spirited spectators for a memorable start to the campaign season!
This year’s canoe race we are hoping to raise over $25,000.00 in celebration of the VCDS’ 25th anniversary of this event. It’s time to rally your teams and let the competition begin! Funds raised during this event will be split between Health Partners and United Way going to causes and programs that support people and families dealing with illnesses, medical research and programs that help build sustainable and stronger communities.
With around 30 teams joining the race each year, your support is key to helping us hit our fundraising target!
To reach our goal, each team is encouraged to raise at least $835.00.00. We invite all teams to go the extra mile by sharing their individual fundraising links with colleagues, friends, and family. Every contribution counts—because together, we can make a big impact.
Remember: “Give a little, change a lot!”
Who can participate?
Attention all DND L1s, OGDs and foreign attachés —your time to shine is here!
Gather a team of three paddlers and get ready to make a splash! Each DND L1 will be provided with a canoe, paddles, and life jackets for at least one team—available on a first-come, first-served basis. Prefer to use your own gear? That’s great too—just register and bring it along!
Other government departments and foreign attachés are also welcome to participate! These teams will need to bring their own canoe, paddles and PFDs as we cannot guarantee sufficient equipment.
To keep the event accessible and impactful, we’ve set a registration fee of $25 per participant and a minimum fundraising goal of $200 per team. Let’s come together, give back, and enjoy the excitement of race day!
Important: The online donation page will close at 1300 hrs on race day, so be sure to get your contributions in early. Every dollar raised counts toward your L1’s total—let’s paddle with purpose!
Or scan the QR code:
Registration Deadline Extended! Sign up by Friday 5 September at 1200 (noon).
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to show off your paddling skills and support a great cause!
*Please note that there are a limited number of canoes available to loan out. Each L1 is guaranteed one canoe with paddles and PFDs and these will go to the official representative team from each L1. We recommend additional teams bring their own canoes, PFDs and paddles, as the remaining canoes will be available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Map
VCDS Canoe Race Schedule
0900-1000: Registration opens
1000-1005: Teams assemble at HMCS Carleton waterfront for VCDS Opening Remarks
1005-1015: Paddler safety briefing by race organizers
1015-1030: Paddlers embark in their designated canoes and proceed to the start line
1030: Canoe Race starts from HMCS Carleton jetty
1100-1150: Central Band to play
1100-1130: Canoes expected to cross finish line
1130-1150: VIP guests, paddlers and spectators assemble in HMCS Carleton parade square for award ceremony and NDWCC Launch
1300: Event concludes
Parking
Please note that limited parking is available. Because of this, we strongly recommend carpooling with your team to help reduce the number of cars on site. No cars may park inside the fence of HMCS Carleton, but outside the fence parking may be used. The Navy Curling Club has also graciously allowed us to use their parking lot for the duration of the event. No parking is permitted in areas marked in red.
Be advised that DND and the Navy Curling Club are not responsible for any theft or damages that may occur in the parking lots.
Race Rules
- All L1’s will be provided with an opportunity to enter one team. This team will be provided with a canoe, paddles and Personal Floatation Devices. L1’s who do not enter a boat by the deadline will have their designated boat allocated to another L1.
- A limited number of additional canoes will be available on a first-come-first-served basis, so we encourage teams to use their own equipment
- Teams must be made up of one canoe with three persons aboard.
- All team members will wear a certified Personal Floatation Device at all times during the race.
- Only canoe paddles are authorized for use (no kayak paddles).
- No motorized propulsion devices are authorized for use (no matter what the design).
- In order to participate, your team must raise a minimum of $100 in donations, and each participant personally register through the online portal.
- Race participation is open to GoC public servants, Canadian Armed Forces members and foreign attachés with the approval of their chain of command.
Awards
- First Place Canoe - Claim victory and bask in the glory of being the fastest team!
- Best Decorated Team (including costumes) - Let your creativity shine and leave everyone in awe with your dazzling appearance!
- Most Funds Raised Team - Show your fundraising prowess and secure this prestigious title by going above and beyond.
- Best Foreign Attaché Team - Let's celebrate diversity and recognize the outstanding participation of other our international allies
- Best OGD Team: Coming together for a great cause! Celebrating the participation of other Canadian Government departments
- Most Determined Team – No matter your skill level, join the race, have fun, raise funds, and celebrate crossing the finish line!
Race Results
Winning Teams
| Finishing Position | Canoe # | Level 1 | Team Name | Team Members | Finishing Time | Funds Raised |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ||||||
| 2 | ||||||
| 3 | ||||||
| 4 | ||||||
| 5 | ||||||
| 6 | ||||||
| 7 |
Trophy Winning
Winning Teams
Best Decorated Team
Most Determined Team
Most Funds Raised*
* by 11:30 a.m. on race day.
Page details
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