Richelieu

Chambly is one of the best play spots in the spring in the Montreal area.  It's the first to become available as the rivers thaw.

It is at Chambly; located just below the dam on the Richelieu river. During April and May the river is high and a wide breaking wave with a secondary wave just downstream.  These are at the top of a half-mile long class III/IV rapid.

A roll is necessary. At this time of year the water is very cold; a swim will be a long one to the downstream lake.

These features are a bit flushy, but allow all sorts of fancy moves. There is an entrance eddy for the bottom wave, but none for the bottom one. Boaters typically wait on shore for their turn on the wave.

Best times for Chambly Wave:

This is a spring run; from April until late May – Chambly provides the best play (nearby Habitat 67 and Lachine Rapids in Montreal are too high, or offer no eddy service). Later on the play spots in Montreal are good buy Chambly is too low.

Directions to the Chambly waves

Chambly is a town in southwestern Quebec, Canada, about 25km (30 minutes) to the south east of Montreal. It sits on the Richelieu River in the Regional County Municipality of La-Vallée-du-Richelieu.

To get there from Montreal, cross the Champlain bridge, and carry on the Highway 10 until you get to the Chambly exit. Follow signs for Chambly, though a number of stop signs until you get to the lake. Turn right at the lake, and cross a narrow bridge. Follow this for about half a mile, then turn left by a flower store. Park up just by the park next to the river.

Click here for a YouTube video surfing on the Chambly Wave.