The Premier Performance Boating Event on the Ottawa River
August 21–22, 2026 | Petawawa & Pembroke, Ontario
PETAWAWA, ON — Performance Boat Club Events Inc. (PBCE), together with presenting sponsors Brett & Sherri Wells and Angels Touch Massage / Paradise Spa & Tanning, is pleased to announce that registration is now open for Giver on the River 2026, taking place August 21–22, 2026, on the spectacular Ottawa River.
Recognized as The Premier Performance Boating Event on the Ottawa River, Giver on the River brings together performance boating enthusiasts from across Canada for an unforgettable weekend of boating, friendship, community and charitable giving — while showcasing one of Canada’s most scenic waterways.
Whether you’re arriving in a high-performance offshore catamaran, a classic V-bottom, or a single-engine performance river boat, all performance boats 18 feet and larger are welcome. PBCE encourages participation from boating enthusiasts across Canada, including members of the Fast Boats Canada community, Ottawa River boaters, and the military community from nearby CFB Petawawa.
New for 2026: the best poker hand of the day takes home a $5,000 cash prize — alongside the trophies, the silent and live auctions, and the club’s signature Captains’ Calcutta.
Supporting Local Health Care
Giver on the River 2026 will support the Pembroke Regional Hospital Foundation, helping advance health care throughout Pembroke, Petawawa and the Upper Ottawa Valley. Throughout the weekend, participants and supporters will have several opportunities to contribute to this important cause.
Voluntary charitable donations may be made during online event registration. Donations in kind with a fair market value of $200 or more may qualify for an official charitable tax receipt issued by Performance Boat Club Charities (PBCC) in accordance with applicable Canada Revenue Agency guidelines. The weekend concludes with both a Silent Charity Auction and a Live Charity Auction during the Saturday evening Awards Dinner.
Event Headquarters
Jubilee Lodge & Marina in Petawawa, Ontario, serves as Event Headquarters throughout the weekend, hosting driver registration and check-in, the Friday welcome reception and BBQ, the drivers’ meeting, the official start and finish, the Awards Dinner, both charity auctions, awards, and live entertainment. The official event launch ramp is located at Jubilee Lodge & Marina, giving participants convenient access to registration, launching, and the official start of the poker run. Overnight dockage is limited; participants should contact the marina directly to reserve transient dockage in advance.
Weekend Schedule
Friday — August 21
2:00 PM — Boaters begin arriving
6:00 PM — Drivers Check-In & Registration at Jubilee Lodge
7:00 PM — Drivers & Crew Welcome Reception BBQ
8:00 PM — Live music and good times
An optional Friday afternoon Meet & Greet and Community Boat Show is currently being considered for participants arriving early.
Saturday — August 22
9:00 AM — Registration opens
10:00 AM — Compulsory Drivers Meeting
10:30 AM — “Start Your Engines!” — Official Departure from Jubilee Lodge
Ottawa River Poker Run Route
- Depart Jubilee Lodge; South Channel toward Pembroke, returning via the North Channel
- Card Stop #1 — Petawawa Beach Slow Zone
- Continue west to Oiseau Rock — Card Stop #2
- Continue west to Swisha, then return east to Paulies Sand Bar
- Beachside BBQ lunch at Paulies Sand Bar, then return east to Jubilee Lodge
6:30–7:00 PM — Auction & Awards Dinner
Following dinner: Silent Charity Auction, Live Charity Auction, sponsor recognition, awards presentation, and live music and entertainment.
Registration Information
Event fees & limited-time 2026 incentives:
- Regular event fee: $750 per boat (driver & navigator)
- Early Bird — $675 (save 10%): register before August 12, after which the regular $750 fee applies
- New Members Welcome — $150 off your first event with a paid membership
- Extra crew, this event only — reduced from $200 to $100 per person
- Additional Awards Dinner tickets: $50 each
Stack the savings: a new member who registers before Aug 12 can combine all three offers — $150 (new member) + $75 (early bird) + $100 (crew) — to save as much as $325 off regular event fees.
Registration includes:
- Driver & Navigator entry
- Official event shirt
- Driver registration package
- Friday Drivers & Crew BBQ
- Saturday Beach BBQ lunch
- Awards Dinner
- Live entertainment and official event participation
Additional crew members may be registered for $100 per person. Additional Awards Dinner tickets are available for $50 each.
Boat Requirements
- Minimum boat length: 18 feet
- Two speed classes: 55 MPH and Under, and Over 55 MPH
- Proof of $2 million liability insurance is required
Accommodations, Dockage & Boat Launch
Participants are encouraged to reserve accommodations early:
- Quality Inn & Suites Petawawa — 613-687-2855
- TownePlace Suites by Marriott Petawawa — 613-687-2800
The official event launch ramp and participant dockage are located at Jubilee Lodge & Marina. Reserve transient dockage before arriving: (613) 851-5752.
“The Ottawa River gives us one of the most beautiful runs on our calendar, and doing it in support of the Pembroke Regional Hospital Foundation is exactly why this club exists — power and speed on the water, turned into care close to home,” said Jeff Devolin, President of Performance Boat Club Events.
About Performance Boat Club Events Inc.
Founded in 2005 and based in Bobcaygeon, Ontario, Performance Boat Club Events Inc. (PBCE) runs a season of charity poker runs across Ontario’s lakes and rivers under the banner POWER · SPEED · COMMUNITY · CHARITY. Over 20 consecutive seasons, PBCE and its charitable arm, Performance Boat Club Charities, have raised more than $1 million for Ontario charities — earning a national charitable rating in the top 10% while maintaining a zero loss safety record. Each event pairs the thrill of high-performance boating with a cause, turning a day on the water into support for the communities PBCE calls home.
#OttawaRiver #Petawawa #Pembroke #OttawaValley #UpperOttawaValley #PembrokeRegionalHospital #PRHFoundation #LocalHealthCare #GivingBack
