On Sunday the second highlight of this weekends Carnival activities after yesterdays night parade was the Canoe Races on the St Lawrence river. After my morning flight yesterday and evening parade I stayed in till noon today as the races didnt start till one.

I hadnt been inside the old walled city so far on this trip so I took a stroll thru orienting myself again since my last visit.

I first went to the Bassin Louise marina where I thought the races were taking place according to the carnival map. I saw igloos in the landscape which were curious.

These were being used for ice fishing. Then I realized I was walking on frozen over ice and open waters were below. I dont care how safe it was I wanted to be back on solid ground!.

Most of the crowds were heading towards the open waters for the ice racing. I found a good spot in the corner where the channel meets the St Lawrence. Media was gathered here at this corner. However when the races began the media all moved in front and completely blocked the view so I had to move elsewhere.

People had already camped out their spots so there was nowhere good left. I had to climb snow banks to get to be able to look over the crowds.

The boats were moving like tiny ants in their heats across the St Lawrence river to the opposite side and back.

I didnt realize till I looked at my pics afterwards but the ferry on the opposite side was also crowded with people watching from the decks. I couldnt figure out the route as they came out the marina I started from, had to paddle along our side, then across to near the ferry, back to our side and back to the marina for three laps.

I still couldnt see much so went further along to look for a better spot. I tried to climb another snow bank but ended up falling half in. Eventually I climbed back up and found a good spot to perch and watch some more.

My fingers kept freezing from taking pics so I had to keep trying to warm them up. It was about -10 degrees today with light winds.

I carried on walking further and found an opening right on the banks where I could see the rowers passing by close. Then I was able to observe the race in more detail close up.

They are not able to paddle the whole time because of the moving ice sheets. They have to navigate their boats in zig zag fashion thru the open water flows. However, when they see an advantage they mount the ice sheet and drag their boats across climbing out one foot onto the ice sheet. Then kick with one foot in the water to push their boat off the ice back into open water.

This was INSANE extreme sports. They must be soaked up to their waists in sub zero waters. It was not only the endurance of the paddling, but dragging the weight of their boat in exhaustion on ice sheets, and drenching themselves in arctic waters to pull their boats onto or off ice sheets.

There were both all men and all womens teams both locals and visitors. My fingers were freezing just from taking pics, never mind being half submerged in these waters in this all endurance sport. The moving ice sheets also gave me motion sickness if you keep staring so you have to look away at times.

This is something I dont think I've ever seen in the Winter Olympics and was quite an amazing feat to witness. You have to admire the endurance of these athletes.