Kitchissippi senior inspires next generation of kayakers

By Sophia Foglia

A Kitchissippi resident made waves after kayaking over 80 times last year.

It was a personal best for Linda Whitfield, 78, who discovered her love of kayaking in the early 2000s. She has since explored many local kayak-friendly waters, including sections of the Rideau Canal.

Linda was raised in an active family, with parents who enjoyed gliding, sailing and figure skating. She said their athletic mindset was also passed on to her own children.

Though she grew up with canoes, Linda said she prefers kayaks since they open the water to more individual excursions.

Linda said she also likes to paddle with others, adding that she revels in the chance to bring new friends to her favourite locations.

“I’m confident that I can paddle in almost anything and that I can be independent,” she said, recommending others give it a try. “It’s certainly something I love to do and I would go out of my way to figure out how to get out and do it.” The challenge fuels her passion.

Linda’s friends are inspired by this “elder’s” dedication to physical activity. The avid paddler and kayaker said the challenge is what fuels her passion.

“It’s certainly a work out”, Linda said. “I like to challenge myself to make the distance.”

Her daughter, Kate Whitfield, described her mother’s life as “energetic, independent, and adventurous.” She said it’s inspiring to watch her take part in activities that make her “incredibly happy” and that motivate others.

“My mom has made friends of all ages and abilities who meet up to paddle together. They support each other on the water as well as come up with ideas for new places to explore,” Kate said over email. “I have always been proud of my mom and her kayaking adventures.”

One of Linda’s favourite destinations is Lac la Pêche in Gatineau Park. She said the misty mornings and reflections in the deep blue water make this excursion even more enjoyable. Only an hour drive from Kitchissippi, the federal park located in the Outaouais region of Quebec is an oasis for those looking to take part in a variety of physical activities.

Closer to home, Linda paddles Britannia Beach, but said she tends to avoid Westboro Beach because of its closeness to the Ottawa River rapids that can be dangerous.

When she’s not out on the water, Linda’s life is rounded out by other athletic activities. She was introduced to pickleball in Kingston almost 30 years ago. She also hikes weekly with friends to “crunch up leaves” in the fall and enjoy the beauty of the national capital regions trails.

“We have some favourite trails in the Ottawa area that we frequently go to,” she said. “The Kichi Sibi Winter Trai along the river is great. We’ve got all these biking lanes. You can bike (or walk) all the way from one end of the city to the other.”

Kayaker Whitfield encourages those looking to try out any new sport to get healthy or stay healthy, to meet like-minded people, or get in touch with the natural world.

She points out that Ottawa offers nearby athletic opportunities and a community that promotes athleticism. “Ottawa is just a fabulous spot for doing all of the things that certainly I love to do.

“Find something you enjoy doing and go for it.”

How can we improve health and well-being for elders?

Even prior to the pandemic, Canadians resisted moving to long-term care. With priority given to providing basic, safe care, residences can feel like institutions. Yet there are facilities and initiatives that bring life and joy to residents. What makes the difference?

At Radical Connections, we promote community and meaningful interactions by bringing artists and cultural activities to people who are isolated because of their healthcare needs.

We gave Bruyere long-term care residents the chance to choose an artist that resonated with them. They then had a personalised virtual performance. We witnessed transformations, brilliant conversations, and a creative reawakening.

We are expanding this opportunity with Healing

To Get Fit And Stay Active

So much more than your average fitness centre, the Soloway Jewish Community Centre is home to a saltwater pool, a full-size gymnasium with basketball nets and pickleball, plus over 40 group fitness classes per week. And…the best part, its all included in your membership. Fully stocked with the latest and greatest cardio equipment, the

SJCC Fitness Centre has everything you need for a stellar workout and there are plenty of certified personal trainers on hand for those looking for a personalized exercise program.

Members who are motivated by the energy of a group love our Group Fitness classes. The roster includes Powerpump, Zumba, Yoga, Bootcamp, Ballet Barre Fit, Aquafit and more. All classes are drop in, except for SpinFit which requires advanced registration.

For the younger crowd, the SJCC offers Bootcamp and Advanced Aquatics, for those interested in becoming lifeguards. At the end of the school day, our gymnasium is the place to be for After School Sports programs and pick up basketball. There is so much for your family to do at the SJCC. Get started now!

21 Nadolny Sachs Private (one block south of Carling off Broadview) (613)798-9818. JCCOttawa.com

416 Richmond Rd urospot.com

613-786-7865 ottawa@urospot.com

Interactive Performances! Get HIP with a professional musician, poet, actor or storyteller. Enjoy a virtual performance from the comfort of your home or residence.

You can choose from a wide selection of musical genres, literature, and languages. Sit back and listen to dramatic readings, French folk-tales, classical or popular songs. Engage in conversation with the artist or share your own stories, songs or writing. Radical Connections’ artists all have experience working with and performing for people in the community.

Fun, flexible fitness! Do all the things with the Dovercourt Fit pass!

Dovercourt has long been a community hub for innovative, high-quality programs, and its fitness offerings are no exception. The core of their fitness department is the Dovercourt Fit Pass, which delivers excellent value and flexibility. For the fitness enthusiast looking for daytime classes, there is an extensive menu of over 30 classes each week that include favourites —like Step, cardio mix, strength mix, HIIT, Zumba and barbell challenge— as well as cutting-edge classes like TRX, Barre Fit, spinning and aquafitness. It also includes access to the fitness centre/ weight room and recreational swims. And there’s no need to wait until the beginning of a season: the Fit Pass can be purchased at any time and paused for vacations. In addition, unlike some fitness clubs, there are no hidden extras like contracts, initiation fees or variable pricing.

Dovercourt has a team of experienced, creative instructors, many of whom have taught at the Centre for decades. Dylan, Gigi, Jill, Charles, Trish, Stacey, Lorayne, Geoff, Karla, Marina, Teri, JM…the list goes on of enthusiastic instructors who bring their all to every class.

Some fitness participants, absent during the pandemic, may wonder where the Gold Club program has gone. In fact, it has been incorporated into the Fit Pass. After reopening, the decision was made to simplify and combine many of the classes from the two programs into one. For years, clients said they didn’t want to attend classes based solely on their age but on their interests and fitness level. The Fit Pass schedule reflects that sentiment. Most of the Gold Club classes are included in the Fit Pass schedule, but were retitled to clarify what the participant will experience.

People attending in-person classes are thrilled to be back with their friends and favourite instructors, enjoying the things that they were missing: great music, feedback from instructors, a wide range of fitness equipment like Bosu, weights, Steps, TRX straps and more, and the energy generated in a room full of people. Post-class, the Cafe in the upstairs lobby is available for coffee, lunch and socializing. www.dovercourt.org

Online classes, brought in during the pandemic, are an excellent option for people who prefer the convenience of working out at home, are on holiday, or have unpredictable schedules.

Dovercourt’s easy-to-use online system allows people to book classes seven days in advance on a computer, tablet or phone. Initially, the system enabled Dovercourt to limit class sizes according to the COVID guidelines, but it has many other benefits. For example, clients can see everything they’ve booked from their account and even print out a schedule to pin on the fridge. And booking into a class feels like a commitment —and increases the likelihood of attending!

With unlimited visits, the Fit Pass is a great value. It can be purchased online, in person or by phone, and priced at $42.50/month for ongoing and $54.25 for onemonth paid-in-full.