High spring runoff makes for good surfing on Ottawa River

The annual spring runoff on the Ottawa River has once again created a “freestanding wave” at Bate Island.

Google describes the phenomenon as “a continuous, artificial wave created for surfing or a natural hydraulic jump in a river, where water flows rapidly over a submerged obstacle, creating a surfable wave that stays in one place.”

Over the weekend, experienced, properly equipped river surfers took advantage of the fast, frigid conditions to ride a fleeting seasonal swell only seen rarely during the year.

The activity also drew small crowds of spectators in the know.

Staff photos by Ashley Fraser

Mathieu Demers was one of a handful of surfers out enjoying the wave at Bate Island Saturday, April 18, 2026. High spring runoff on the Ottawa River has created the annual freestanding wave at Bate Island, where experienced, properly equipped river surfers took advantage of the fast, frigid conditions to ride a fleeting seasonal swell only seen during a specific water level.

Sacha Parent was one of a handful of surfers out enjoying the wave at Bate Island Saturday, April 18, 2026. High spring runoff on the Ottawa River has created the annual freestanding wave at Bate Island, where experienced, properly equipped river surfers took advantage of the fast, frigid conditions to ride a fleeting seasonal swell only seen during a specific water level.

Sacha Parent was one of a handful of surfers out enjoying the wave at Bate Island Saturday, April 18, 2026. High spring runoff on the Ottawa River has created the annual freestanding wave at Bate Island, where experienced, properly equipped river surfers took advantage of the fast, frigid conditions to ride a fleeting seasonal swell only seen during a specific water level.

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