Paddling in the moonlight

For many Quebecers, paddleboarding has become a passion. Sunsets are another. Why not combine the two? That’s good, several places offer just this mix, with great activities at dusk or after dark. We tried one, and we also present you some suggestions.

Text: Sophie Ouimet
The Press

In Wakefield’s Labyrinth

The temperature was gloomy when we left Montreal, but in Wakefield, nothing seems like it: the sun is shining and we even gained a few degrees. Everything is bathed in this pretty golden color that we find at the end of the day. And that’s good, because we’re getting ready to conquer the water labyrinth of the Éco-Odyssée nature park, to admire the sunset on a paddleboard.

The immense aquatic maze, which stretches over 6 km and has 64 intersections, can be traversed in several ways: pedalo, canoe, skating in winter and even SUP (for sstand up paddle board). It is this last activity that interests us today, or rather this evening. Because the family business now opens its labyrinth in the evening, to admire the sunset, and even sail on the water in the moonlight. This allows the marsh to be explored with the help of all the senses, not just sight.

Indeed, while paddling at dusk, you will hear a symphony of sounds (between two mosquito bites). The city dweller that we are had to ask Amélie Rocheleau-Leclair, co-owner of the premises and director of communications, to what species these songs and croaks belonged. A whole range of fauna coexists in the marsh, such as birds – including the red-winged blackbird – or even small amphibians – such as the spring peeper.

These sounds mingle with the lapping of the waves, which we gently create with our paddle as we make our way through the winding paths. All this provides a relaxing feeling that also allows you to forget the complexity of piloting and the fear of falling into the water. There is still a difference between paddling a SUP on a large body of water like a lake and doing it in a cramped marsh with tight turns. We will learn to govern at the same time!

Going around the entire maze could take three hours, estimates Amélie Rocheleau-Leclair. But to make it easier for boaters, the nature park offers a route that takes about half of it, which is quite enough for most people.

If you get out of the maze without getting lost — which is perfectly doable! —, there is also a multitude of things to do on the premises. A little food truck offers s’mores, marshmallows and pizzas, and you can attend an immersive show presented in total darkness, on the rock face. The more adventurous can also sleep on site, in one of the refuges or chalets on the site.

During the summer, the labyrinth is open every day, but only on Friday and Saturday evenings. These are also the two evenings when the show, a family tale, is presented. It’s the 15^e year that the park exists, but only the second that the places are open in the evening, just to attract another clientele.

To do on a board, when the sun goes down

Here are some other places in and around Montreal where you can go paddleboarding by moonlight. Most of the time, it is recommended to have already taken an introductory SUP course before embarking on this type of activity. Here is a small list (not exhaustive!).

KSF: the river, the night

In Montreal, KSF offers a 12 km ride on the river. This excursion is offered during the day, but also and especially at sunset, to admire all the colors of the sky while paddling. On the river, the trip goes from Dorval to LaSalle, passing under the Mercier bridge, and even in front of the wave at Guy. When the weather is nice, paddle boards even venture as far as Kahnawake. For experienced paddlers, since there is quite a bit of current.

Minimum age of 14 years old

The SUP SHOP: meditate under the full moon

On the South Shore, the SUP SHOP offers full moon meditations every month until October, on a paddle board. It is also possible to take a SUP yoga class at sunset at one of its locations. Several courses are already full, but some are still open! For example, in Châteauguay, you can sign up for yin and yang sessions (more active postures at first, then calmer). While at the RécréoParc in Sainte-Catherine, we offer complete training to work on balance.

Echo Aloha: the lakes of the Laurentians

In the Laurentians, Écho Aloha offers all kinds of activities on the water after dark. During the Perseids, in August, you can treat yourself to a night out under the shooting stars. Don’t want to wait until then? There is also paddle under the full moon in mid-July, or even an evening on board during the Saint-Jean-Baptiste fireworks. These activities take place at one of its sites, either Sainte-Marguerite-du-Lac-Masson or Lac-des-Seize-Îles.