Surfing in Québec?

Of course! In Montréal? Absolutely! More and more enthusiasts are discovering river surfing on the St. Lawrence River, including right in the heart of the city. This is a rare occurrence in urban areas, making it all the more exotic!

The natural phenomenon of river surfing is different in many ways from traditional surfing. First of all, it is done on a stationary wave that you can surf for as long as you wish, as it slides under your board in a continuous movement. And the wave is not dependent upon marine currents, but rather created by a strong water flow and other conditions. But it still requires great control of your board, a level of ease with live water, and proper care.

Montréal has two locations that feature natural stationary waves: Parc-des-Rapides in the borough of LaSalle, and the area behind the Habitat 67 building complex. According to viago.ca, this might be the seventh best surfing spot in Canada! For seasoned surfers, the Richelieu River in Montérégie, close to Montréal, offers waves which become especially interesting in the spring.

As for the Charlevoix and Îles-de-la-Madeleine regions, they offer surfing in the fall. Other regions long the Gulf of the St. Lawrence, including the Côte-Nord (Duplessis and Manicouagan) and Gaspésiealso attract the surfers.

With the ever-growing popularity of surfing in Québec, new locations may be added over time, in particular in urban areas. In the meantime, several surfboard manufacturers have popped up over the last few years, as well as schools where you can acquaint yourself with the sport.

For other ideas or experiences, visit quebecoriginal.com