Paddling on Montreal’s Icy Water

Every February, the city of Montreal holds the Montreal Ice Canoe Challenge. In this event, you will see athletes from around Canada race and paddle through the icy waters of the St. Lawrence River.

Those athletes will try to beat each other for several kilometers, starting from the iconic Bassin Alexandra and ending at Parc Jean-Drapeau. Both male and female athletes will participate in this challenge.

The teams here will have to alternate between paddling through the frigid water and carrying their canoes across ice floes. The race is undoubtedly heart-pumping for both the athletes and the viewers.

This sport is considered an extreme activity and has been around for more than 120 years. It originally began as a transportation mode to cross the river. However, it has since evolved into a more competitive form.

There are five recommended spots to see this challenge. The central location is The Clock Tower. Other good sites are Cite du Havre Park, Saint Helen Island, Bota Bota spa, and the starting point, Alexandra Bassin.

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