Ice canoeing

The race with rowing boats over partially frozen water surfaces ( French: canots à glace ) is an extreme - Team Winter Sports in Quebec, Canada, which has its origins in the area of the St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes.

By the end of the 19th century, partly to the 20th century, canoes and rowing boats were the most important and often the only traffic and transportation in Canada. In winter compounds were maintained as long as were still open water areas between the satisfied to bodies of water. The boat building and the technique of Eisquerens took the immigrants from the natives.

Depending on the condition of the ice, various techniques are used. Over Closed ice the boat is pulled by the team; depending on the thickness of the ice, the participants have more or less supported on the edge of the boat. Thin ice can be broken up by boat. If the water is not densely covered with ice floes, most typically, the participants jumping from floe to floe and pull the boat with. They also rely on the boat from or are in the boat and come up with the feet of the floes from. Frequently, to towering ice floes must be overcome. Ice-free areas are then crossed rowing again ..

The most famous race takes place during the Carnival of Quebec late January to mid-February, in which up to 50 teams on the ice-covered St. Lawrence cross. The first race was organized in 1894 on the occasion of the Winter Carnival between Quebec and the Levis lying on the south bank of the river. Women take part in the race since 1987.

There are three categories: "Elite Men", "elite women " and the "Sport" category. While it was until recently a purely regional event, participated in recently, teams from the rest of Canada, Chicago and even some from France. The clubs in Quebec are closed together in the l' Association des coureurs de canot à glace du Québec ( ACCGQ ).

Originally made of wood, the boats today consist of plastic or fiberglass with metal reinforcement, more recently, Kevlar and carbon fiber are used. The latter, however, are expensive and of limited use due to the minimum weights for the boats. The curb weight of the boats is typically between 100 and 160 kg. In all three competition categories, there are different minimum weights. The boat lengths in a 6 to 8.6 m and there are also provisions for the minimum widths.