Adventure seekers flock to Ottawa Outdoor Adventure and Travel expo
The annual Outdoor Adventure and Travel Show was held at the Nepean Sportsplex this weekend and there was a little something for anyone looking to get out of the house.
- Sign up now for our daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Hundreds of adventurers were in attendance to check out the latest on outdoor gear and equipment, family activities, camping and travel destinations.
Many participants at the show said their experience with the pandemic helped them rediscover the outdoors – and they're not looking back.
Clayton L’Heureux came looking for a new adventure for his family this summer. An avid fan of the outdoors, he's hoping to spend at least part of his summer fishing.
"There are a lot of people that are looking for things to do because they were stuck in the house and they found a lot of new adventures outside the house," L’Heureux said.
"We like kayaking, canoeing, camping and rugged adventures.”
In the almost half a century since Joe Kowalski founded Wilderness Tours in the Ottawa Valley, he says the industry has grown and changed.
Originally, he only offered white water trips down the Ottawa river, but today, that has grown to everything from lazy river tubing and mountain biking, to family adventures and camping.
He is even offering wine tastings and a brew pub as part of the experience.
"You can only live on YouTube for so long and people want to be a little bit wet, a little bit muddy, a little tired and you want to interact with people," Kowalski said.
"I think people want to be back to nature."
Dave Brown, who has organized the show for over a decade, says two of the biggest local trends he sees is the popularity of paddle boarding and the desire of people to stay close to home, with many heading into the Ottawa and St. Lawrence River valleys to spend time on the water.
"There are outdoor clubs here, the Rideau Trail Association is here, the RA centre, lots of clubs say, 'come with us we will lead you on a hike.' Those things don't cost any real money," Brown said.
The Outdoor Adventure and Travel Show wrapped up on Sunday afternoon, with many likely coming away inspired to get outside this summer.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Adding just 10% ultraprocessed foods to healthy diets may raise risk of cognitive decline, stroke
Eating more ultraprocessed foods is linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline and stroke, even if a person is trying to adhere to a Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet or the MIND diet, a new study found.
Bangkok hospital says most seriously injured from turbulence-hit flight need spinal operations
Many of the more seriously injured people who were on the Singapore Airlines flight that hit severe turbulence need operations on their spines, a Bangkok hospital said Thursday.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston, Ont.
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
Tiny plastic shards found in human testicles, study says
Human testicles contain microplastics and nanoplastics at levels three times higher than animal testes and human placentas, a new small study found.
A U.K. lawmaker returns to work as 'the bionic MP' after losing his hands and feet to sepsis
Britain's fractious politicians shared a rare moment of unity on Wednesday, when a Conservative lawmaker returned to work six months after sepsis put him in a coma and forced the amputation of his hands and feet.
Nine killed in Mexico stage collapse at campaign event
A stage collapsed at a Mexican election campaign rally on Wednesday, killing nine people and injuring dozens as high winds tore apart the large, concert-style structure, scattering politicians and attendees.
NEW AI helping to identify undiagnosed genetic disorders in children
Researchers have developed the world's first algorithm powered by artificial intelligence to identify children with undiagnosed rare genetic disorders.