A flotilla of canoes and kayaks descended on Kildonan Park Saturday afternoon, to honour a well-known local adventurer.

Don Starkell died earlier this year and today his friends and family came together to honour his memory.

Starkell was well-known for paddling to the Amazon and the Arctic.

His son Dana said his father encourage him and his brother to organize an event that would get others to take advantage of the outdoors on the water.

“We’re thinking of doing this again next year and actually really promoting it because I think it would be a fantastic, fun thing to do for the city,” said Dana. “Because this river – it’s just an amazing river.”

About 100 people turned up for the event and more are expected Sunday when a river cruise is planned for 1 p.m.

The cruise will depart from the Alexander Docks shortly after boarding at 12:30 p.m.