The first time I tried surfing, some bleached beach bums gave me a small board best suited for experts and towed me into a shark-infested meat grinder affectionately known as the Snake Pit. This was in the warm Indian Ocean off the east coast of South Africa. The fangs of the waves repeatedly bit, while the tail of backwash coiled around and sucked the life out of me. Fortunately, the sharks weren’t hungry that day.
With an introduction like that, it’s no wonder that I still can’t get up on a surfboard, although I have tried in other, less hostile environments. There’s a draw about surfing that is hard to hang ten on … a curious blend of nature and exhilaration, patience and full-blown action. It’s why people of all ages and interests become hooked, and why it belongs on our bucket list. There’s just one problem: we live in the Great White North.
What Canadian surf lacks in weather and waves, it make up for in creativity. Advances in wetsuit technology make the cold swells of B.C.’s Tofino and Nova Scotia’s Lawrencetown manageable, while Lake Superior’s north shore kicks up encouraging surf in spots like Stoney Point and Park Point.
Those seeking a consistent wave close to the amenities of a major urban city need look no further than Habitat 67. Located close to the iconic building of the same name, the St. Lawrence’s Lachine rapids reach as high as two metres, creating one of the world’s largest standing waves. These are especially fun to learn on, since you can spend more time learning how to balance on the board, and less time waiting for the right wave to come along and throw you off it. If you don’t know where to start, hang in there, dude. KSF, located right by the rapids, is a full-service surf shop offering gear rentals, instruction classes, and stand-up paddle-boarding. No snakes, no sharks, just stoke.
START HERE: canadianbucketlist.com/habitat67