montreal area paddling in early June

[ohioboater]

I am presenting at a conference in downtown Montreal the first weekend of June this year. It's a Sunday through Tuesday event, so I will have Saturday to goof around if I plan my travel properly. It's either a 12 hour drive or a 3 hour plane ride. The conference organizers warn participants not to plan on driving at all due to the signs all being in French. Are they being conservative in their recommendations, or am I setting myself up for misery if I drive? I'm a small town boy who's used to leaving a boat on the rack and not worrying about it - will that be an issue if my car is sitting in a downtown parking garage for 3 days?

Is it worth driving and bringing boat stuff? Or will I have problems fitting a 12 foot OC into downtown parking (and Montreal features/paddling culture, for that matter)?

[h2sk1]

....snip.. The conference organizers warn participants not to plan on driving at all due to the signs all being in French. ......... I'm a small town boy who's used to leaving a boat on the rack and not worrying about it - will that be an issue if my car is sitting in a downtown parking garage for 3 days?.......will I have problems fitting a 12 foot OC into downtown parking (and Montreal features/paddling culture, for that matter)?

The driving stuff is complete fear mongering. The formula 1 and Just for Laughs festivals are huge tourist draws, and most of those tourists are coming from the US. Who cares if the signs are in french -- most signs are using symbols that you'd readily recognize. What will drive you nuts is all the 1 way streets. You'll need a good map of the city.

I would be concerned that your car with a boat on top would fit into a parking garages. Some big SUVs with those Thule boxes on the roof have a hard time entering some garages. That being said, a hotel parking garage should be safe if you can get your gear in there. Just to be safe, you may try bringing a simple bike lock to lock the boat to the rack. Parking on the streets overnight is tricky. Most downtown neighborhoods require permits to do this.

As for the boating, it is hard to say what will be running. Unless we get a lot of rain, the creeks will be dry by June. Most of them are finished or have 1 more week left. The Rouge river is nearby, and it has 2 sections worth looking at. Currently it is in flood, but it may drop down enough to make it a good option.

I'd try contacting one of the local clubs. Les Portageurs http://www.portageurs.qc.ca is a good bet. The website is in French, but many of the people I've met from there are bilingual. They are a great bunch to paddle with and know the area very well. Send them an email in advance to arrange a trip or get some advice.

There is paddling in town, but it tends to be park & play on huge fast waves. Attainments and getting on those waves is VERY tricky and generally not possible in an OC. Maybe a C-1. These waves are often featured in kayak videos, so they are significant when the levels are correct.

[Open Gate]

Hi !

1 - Get on the road and don't worry about signs, just follow the numbers(they're bilingual ) and all based on National Hwy codes. Don't forget though 100km = 60 miles...
2 - The St-Lawrence is OK for play in a small OC(been there and had a ball ) but it's full on, roll is mandatory cause you'll be 1 mile from shore in very strong current...need I say more.
3 - The Rouge(Class III-IV) will be great that's for sure, the Petite Nation(class II-III) should also still be ok but getting on the low side pending on precips. The marvellous Ottawa and Gatineau (both approx 2 hrs away - Class III-IV) are always great whatever the levels and camping available near by.

You can also give us a shout Club de Canot Pierre Radisson in Gatineau(Ottawa), we should be on one of these rivers at that time !

Bring your boat for sure !

Gaétan

[ohioboater]

Wow, thanks for the info. I figured the non-driving recommendation probably was overblown.

I'll have to see if I can get any equipment up there - at this point it's looking like I may have to fly, due to logistics.