OWL Rafting

What OWL Rafting does

OWL Rafting is a third-generation, family-owned whitewater rafting resort headquartered at 40 OWL Lane, Foresters Falls, Ontario, on the Ottawa River approximately 90 minutes west of Ottawa. Founded in 1981 by Hermann and Christa Kerckhoff and currently operated by second-generation owners Claudia and Dirk Van Wijk, the business runs a roughly 16-week operating season (mid-May to early September) and employs 11-50 staff. It offers guided whitewater rafting trips across three intensity tiers (Low, Medium, High) using 20-foot Maravia Grand rafts and 14-foot Maravia Williwa sport rafts, ranging from half-day beginner trips ($85-$110) to two-night extreme rafting packages ($425-$465), alongside a signature pontoon BBQ meal cruise that returns guests to the resort along a historical Voyageur route.

The on-site product is a bundled wilderness resort experience. Guests can combine rafting with on-site accommodation (tent camping included in packages; glamping canvas tents, cabins, waterfront cabanas, and RV sites as paid upgrades), meals (FEAST ON-designated farm-to-table kitchen), and a portfolio of complimentary resort amenities including disc golf, beach volleyball, a floating swim dock with slide, sauna, kayak/SUP/canoe use, and a life-size maze. Ancillary revenue is generated through Cafe OWL, an on-site boutique, wetsuit rentals, professional trip-video capture (sold via PicThrive), and custom-denomination gift cards. Distribution is exclusively direct-to-consumer via the company website (FareHarbor embedded widget) and a toll-free phone line, supplemented by shuttle partnerships (Ontario Northland to Cobden), RV referrals (CanaDream), and travel-trade commissions via Ontario's Water Trail partnership with Madawaska Kanu Centre and Le Boat.

The go-to-market targets a diversified mix of consumer segments — families with children as young as 50 lbs, social and celebration groups, corporate team building, youth organizations (Scouts, Cadets, Girl Guides with 15% Sun-Fri discounts), first-time rafters, and returning adventure enthusiasts — with tiered group discounts (1-in-12 free at medium intensity; 10/15/20% off at 20/30/40 rafters). Pricing is per-person in CAD with a $15/person/day river access fee and 13% HST applied to all bookings. The company holds multiple industry designations (Canadian Signature Experience, FEAST ON, WTTC Safe Travels, Ontario Safety Excellence, Rainbow Registered), and its founders were inducted into the International Whitewater Hall of Fame as Pioneers in 2019. Technology exposure is limited to standard booking, e-commerce, and digital-advertising integrations; the company operates no proprietary software or AI systems.

Name

OWL Rafting

Legal name

OWL Rafting

Website

https://owlrafting.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

OWL Rafting is a third-generation, family-owned whitewater rafting resort on the Ottawa River offering guided rafting trips across three intensity levels, multi-day resort packages, on-site accommodations, and a signature pontoon BBQ cruise, serving families, corporate groups, and adventure tourists.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adventure Tourism and Whitewater Rafting Resort

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721), Recreational and Vacation Camps (except Campgrounds) (721214)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Whitewater Rafting, Kayaking & River Adventures (THAJABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water & Marine Guiding Services (Kayak, Canoe, Raft, SUP, Sailing) (THAAALAB), River & Wetland Lodges (Delta/Okavango-style) (THAGAIAG)

Keywords

• Whitewater rafting trips
• Guided river rafting
• Adventure tourism resort
• Wilderness resort stays
• Outdoor recreation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Whitewater Rafting Packages: The primary revenue stream consists of paid whitewater rafting packages ranging from half-day trips to multi-night resort stays. Pricing varies by intensity level (Low, Medium, High), package duration (day trip, one night, two nights), and guest category (Adult, Youth, Senior). Additional fees include $15/person/day river access fee and 13% HST. Upsell opportunities include accommodation upgrades (glamping, cabins, cabanas, RV sites), wetsuit rental, trip video purchases, food and beverage from the on-site Cafe OWL and boutique store.
2. On-site Amenities and Retail: Revenue is generated from on-site food and beverage sales at Cafe OWL, retail purchases from the on-site boutique/gift shop (souvenirs, trip videos, apparel), and optional add-ons such as wetsuit rentals, trip video purchases, and gratuities.
3. Gift Cards: OWL Rafting sells gift cards through its website, allowing customers to purchase custom-denomination adventure vouchers that can be redeemed for any available trip or package.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

OWL Rafting operates a full-service whitewater rafting resort on the Ottawa River in Foresters Falls, Ontario, offering guided rafting trips across three intensity levels (Low, Medium, High) from half-day beginner trips to multi-day extreme sport packages. The offering bundles rafting with on-site accommodations (camping, glamping, cabins, cabanas, RV sites), a signature pontoon BBQ meal cruise, meals, and resort amenities. The business sells directly to consumers via its website and phone line, with group and corporate bookings handled through a dedicated channel.

Product overview

OWL Rafting is a third-generation family-owned whitewater rafting resort on the Ottawa River offering a portfolio of guided rafting products across three intensity tiers — Low Intensity (Soft/Adventure), Medium Intensity, and High Intensity (Sport) — ranging from half-day beginner trips ($85–$110) to two-night extreme rafting packages ($425–$465). The core whitewater rafting services are supplemented by a pontoon BBQ meal cruise (signature experience), on-site resort activities (kayaking, SUP, disc golf, maze, volleyball), accommodation options (camping, glamping, cabins, cabañas, RV sites), and group/corporate booking services. Booking is handled through an embedded FareHarbor widget and photo purchasing through PicThrive.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Half-Day Low Intensity Rafting Trip Gentle 6-hour family-friendly whitewater rafting trip with a 50lb (23kg) minimum weight, low risk of falling out, suited for first-timers, families with young children, and guests seeking a relaxed river experience. Available mid-week only.
• Medium Intensity Rafting Day Trip Full-day active whitewater immersion with body surfing, cliff jumping, and play within rapids in a guide-controlled 20ft Maravia Grand Raft. Requires 90lb (41kg) minimum weight; medium risk of falling out. Priced $130–$200 per person.
• High Intensity Sport Rafting Day Trip Extreme sport rafting in 14ft Maravia Williwa rafts steered by paddle professionals, with high likelihood of flipping and swimming. Requires 90lb (41kg) minimum weight. Priced $180–$220 per person, including pontoon BBQ.
• One Night Stay & Raft Packages Overnight packages combining rafting with a one-night campground stay, meals, and pontoon cruise. Available at Low ($140–$235), Medium ($155–$235), and High ($235–$255) intensity levels.
• Two Night Raft & Resort Packages Two-night, two-day rafting and resort packages combining multiple intensity trips, meals, pontoon cruises, camping, and full resort access. Includes Low+Medium, Medium, High, and Low Two Full Days variants, priced $240–$465 per person.
• Ride & Raft with Shuttle Full-day 12-hour rafting trip with round-trip shuttle transportation from Ottawa included in the price. Priced $280–$300 per person. A separate Cobden shuttle is available for $20/person/direction.
• Adrenaline Raft + Bungee Pass Combined Sport Rafting trip with bungee jumping at Great Canadian Bungee, priced $325–$359 per person.
• On-site Resort Accommodations On-site lodging at the Foresters Falls resort: tent camping (included in packages), glamping canvas tents at $130/unit/night (2-night minimum), cabins sleeping 4–6 at $140/unit/night, waterfront cabanas at $200–$360/unit/night, and RV sites with power and water hook-ups at $50/site/night.
• Resort Activities On-site resort amenities included for overnight guests: sandy beach, kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards; floating swim dock with slide; 9-hole disc golf course; life-size maze; giant Jenga; beach volleyball; dry sauna; and fire pits.
• Cafe OWL On-site cafe serving coffee, beverages, and FEAST ON-designated meals for resort guests and visitors, including a licensed bar and farm-to-table offerings sourced from local producers.
• Group Bookings and Corporate Team Building Dedicated group booking and corporate team building service with tiered discounts: 1 in 12 free on Medium intensity, 20+ rafters 10% off, 30+ 15% off, 40+ 20% off, and 15% off Sun–Fri for military, Scouts, Cadets, and Girl Guides. Includes nut-free group option.
• OWL Rafting Gift Cards Custom-denomination OWL-branded gift cards purchasable online and redeemable toward any trip, package, or accommodation.
• Signature Pontoon BBQ Meal Cruise Guided pontoon boat cruise featuring a freshly grilled buffet meal (steak, baked potato, corn on the cob), served after each rafting trip to transport guests back to the resort along the historic First Nations/Voyageur route on the Ottawa River.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40+ years of continuous operations on the Ottawa River (since 1981)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• Madawaska Kanu Centre (MKC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMKC is OWL Rafting's sister company, both owned by the Van Wijk/Kerckhoff family. MKC provides whitewater kayaking and canoe instruction on the Madawaska River. The two companies are jointly promoted as part of Ontario's Water Trail (watertrail.ca), offering combined paddling and rafting experiences. Stefi Van Wijk (Claudia and Dirk Van Wijk's daughter) serves as Director of MKC, representing the 3rd generation family involvement in both businesses. The companies share historical roots in the whitewater community and cross-promote each other's experiences.
• Le BoatsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerLe Boat is a luxury houseboat rental company on the UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal. OWL Rafting, MKC, and Le Boat are jointly promoted as Ontario's Water Trail — a multi-destination outdoor adventure itinerary. Customers booking through the Water Trail receive a 10% discount at OWL/MKC and $100 off Le Boat cruises. The partnership targets travel agents and tour operators with joint commission structures.
• Ontario NorthlandsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOntario Northland operates intercity bus service connecting cities including Ottawa and Toronto to Cobden, Ontario. OWL Rafting offers shuttle services from Cobden to its resort ($20/person/direction) on a case-by-case basis when staff availability allows. This partnership enables customers without vehicles to access the resort, expanding the addressable market beyond self-drive visitors.
• CanaDream RV RentalsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCanaDream is a Canadian RV rental company. OWL Rafting promotes CanaDream as a recommended transportation option for guests traveling to the resort in RVs. CanaDream Club members receive exclusive discounts on OWL bookings. This is an affiliate-style partnership driving RV-owning customers to the resort.
• Great Canadian BungeesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerGreat Canadian Bungee operates a bungee jumping facility near the Ottawa River. OWL Rafting offers a combined 'Adrenaline Raft + Bungee Pass' package ($325–$359) that packages bungee jumping with sport rafting. This partnership allows OWL to offer an even higher adrenaline experience without operating its own bungee infrastructure.
• Ottawa River RunnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOttawa River Runners is a whitewater kayaking club offering instruction and river runs for children, cadets, and youth. Mentioned alongside MKC as an alternative paddling instruction provider in the Ottawa region, indicating a collaborative relationship within the paddling community rather than a formal commercial partnership.
• Waaseyaa ConsultingsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWaaseyaa Consulting is an Indigenous knowledge consultancy. OWL Rafting acknowledged Waaseyaa Consulting for sharing knowledge and an insightful perspective on Algonquin history along the Ottawa River. This partnership contributed to OWL's Indigenous History Month educational content and demonstrates the company's commitment to accurate cultural representation.
• CanvasCampminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerCanvasCamp is the manufacturer of Sibley-model canvas glamping tents used at OWL Rafting's glamping site. OWL explicitly credits CanvasCamp as the supplier of its glamping tent infrastructure.
• WaterTight SportsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWaterTight Sports is a waterproof outdoor apparel brand. OWL Rafting is listed as a partner/retailer for WaterTight Sports, indicating a brand partnership and on-site retail relationship for waterproof gear.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Le Boat: Le Boat operates luxury houseboat rentals on the UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal in Ontario and partners with OWL through the Ontario Water Trail initiative. It is a complementary destination activity operator targeting the same outdoor tourism and family vacation customer base.
• Great Canadian Bungee: Great Canadian Bungee operates a bungee jumping facility on the Ottawa River and partners with OWL on the Adrenaline Raft + Bungee Pass package. It is a complementary adventure activity operator in the same Ottawa River destination cluster, offering cross-sold experiences to OWL guests.

Direct peers

• Wilderness Tours: Wilderness Tours is OWL Rafting's most direct competitor, operating whitewater rafting and kayak school operations on the Ottawa River near Foresters Falls. Both companies target the same family and adventure segments on the same stretch of river with comparable half-day to multi-day rafting packages, accommodations, and meal-inclusive offerings.
• Wild Water Adventures: Wild Water Adventures is a family-operated whitewater rafting company on the Kootenay River in British Columbia, offering half-day to multi-day rafting packages and wilderness resort accommodations. It mirrors OWL's combination of guided rafting, on-site lodging, and meal-inclusive packages in a different Canadian region.
• Cheakamus Rafting: Cheakamus Rafting operates guided whitewater rafting on the Cheakamus River near Whistler, BC, with comparable product tiers and family-friendly positioning. It is a comparable Canadian family-style rafting operator serving similar adventure tourism and family segments.
• Madawaska Kanu Centre: MKC is OWL Rafting's sister company (same Van Wijk/Kerckhoff family ownership) and operates whitewater kayaking and canoe instruction on the Madawaska River. Both target outdoor adventure enthusiasts on the Ottawa River watershed with guided paddling services and are jointly marketed through the Ontario Water Trail initiative.

Broad incumbents

• Blue Mountain Resort: Blue Mountain Resort is Ontario's largest four-season resort operator offering a broad portfolio of adventure activities, accommodations, and F&B. While it operates a much wider scope than OWL's whitewater rafting focus, it represents the broader Ontario adventure tourism and family resort market in which OWL competes for vacationer spend.

Regional players

• Kananaskis River Rafting: Kananaskis River Rafting is a long-established family-run whitewater rafting operator in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta. It is directly comparable in business model (family-owned, multi-tier rafting packages, on-site resort) but serves a different regional market, making it a geographic peer rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCvBMct1o7r11jVoljW-mdfA
• Facebookfacebook.com/owlrafting
• Instagraminstagram.com/owlrafting

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about OWL Rafting