Montreal Ice Canoe Challenge

Défi canot à glace Montréal

The icy waters of the St. Lawrence River is where ice canoeing teams will race over several kilometers. Ice canoeing is an extreme sport unique to this part of the country. For those who enjoy the riverside and high-action feats of adventure, this is the ultimate spectator sport.

The race’s exciting course starts at the historic Clock Tower and loops around the west-end of the Alexandra Basin to Cité-du-Havre park and on to Parc Jean-Drapeau (on Île Sainte-Hélène). Nested in the heart of the harbour, the Montreal ice race track is particularly breathtaking for spectators thanks to the racers’ close proximity to the shores all along the way. Watching racers confront the mythical passage leading to Île Saint-Hélène through the infamously fierce St. Mary’s Current is just one of the spectacular highlights of this race.

March 2, 2019, from 12 pm to 4:30 pm.

The starting order of the different classes will be:
12:30pm: Departure Elite Male Class (red bib)
12:40 pm: Departure Competition class (green bib)
12:50pm: Departure Elite Female Class (yellow bib)
1:00pm: Sport class departure (blue bib)

The allowed time limit for each class is 2h30.
The number of laps to be performed according to the classes is:
Elite Woman: 3 laps = 13 km
Sport class: 3 laps = 13 km
Elite Men: 4 laps = 17 km
Competition class: 4 laps = 17 km

Since the four classes start at 10 minute intervals, teams from different classes will be on the course at the same time. Differentiate classes by the blue, green, yellow or red bib number.

Suggested places to watch the race:
The Quai de l’Horloge at the Old Port of Montreal
At the edge of the water opposite Saint-Pierre Street in the Old Port of Montreal
The City Park of Le Havre of the City of Montreal
The River Shuttles Quay on Ile-Sainte-Hélène at Parc Jean-Drapeau

For more information visit: www.deficanotaglace.ca