Saint-Laurent (St. Lawrence)

Most play boaters have heard of the waves at Lachine. In the Northeast region they are a Mecca for paddlers where many of the world's best play boaters can be seen going huge on any given day. Most rank Lachine amongst the very best features in the world.

There are two 'main' waves at Lachine, Big Joe and Pyramid. Additionally, there are a number of others waves that easily eclipse most others anywhere else in the Northeast.

Big Joe is the favorite wave at Lachine. It's basically divided by a ridge just to surfer's left of center. The ridge presents an excellent lift off vehicle for huge moves. Start high on surfers right and carve down across the ridge and you're bound to go big. To the left of the ridge, Big Joe is steeper, deeper, bouncier, and more retentive. To surfer's right of the ridge, Big Joe is a fast, glassy ride with plenty of bounce. Typically, new comers stick here for the first ride or two just to get a sense of the wave.

Pyramid wave, is a steep, fast glassy ride.Generally there is no foam pile on it, and it is more difficult to attain. Once on though, the ride will put a smile on your face. It's not Big Joe, but then again, there's usually no wait to get on Pyramid.

While Lachine offers much more than just two great waves, Big Joe is epic and most folks don't want to waste the long difficult hike back up to the eddy on anything else. Depending on the day, waits can get long for accessing Big Joe, and, although frowned upon, some boaters there take rides that seem to never end. It goes without saying that 'normal' etiquette should be observed (i.e., if you're on for more than a couple minutes, try throwing something big and give someone else a shot).

Go here for some excellent footage of paddlers going huge at Lachine. Check out the other videos too while your there!

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