When can we expect new waves?

Follow-up on our efforts to create new waves

Looking Back on the Selection of the 2 Potential Sites ✅

We’ve already identified two potential sites we’re actively working on:

1. The Le Moyne Channel, at Parc Jean-Drapeau

2. The RécréoParc Sainte-Catherine

Here is the list of five other potential sites that were abandoned because they didn’t meet the necessary conditions for creating a river surfing wave.

Map of potential sites

What’s Left to Do to Create New Waves? 📝

There’s still a lot of work ahead for either of the identified sites. Eventually, this will require studies (feasibility, environmental, market), public consultations, design plans, and more—all before the first shovel even hits the ground. And, of course, significant fundraising efforts will be needed to support it all.

At Parc Jean-Drapeau, while a pre-feasibility study shows some potential for creating a wave, it also highlights certain challenges (environmental and hydraulic) that will require further analysis.

The RécréoParc in Sainte-Catherine is a popular site for migratory birds and fish. We’re therefore preparing to conduct an environmental characterization—this is the first step in becoming familiar with the local wildlife and vegetation, and to ensure that the planned work and facilities will have minimal impact on the environment.

Once the environmental studies are underway, we aim to conduct a feasibility study to get a clearer idea of the costs associated with wave creation and to draft a preliminary design plan.

How Much Does It Cost to Create a River Wave? 💰

Based on other projects and existing studies around the world, we know that it will cost at least $750,000 and could go up to $20 million.

As a reference point, the development of the shoreline at Vague à Guy, completed in 2021, cost $2 million—and the wave already existed! That amount was only for the shoreline work.

Preview of the shoreline work

We also know it’s cheaper to build a wave in a small river where it’s possible to create a bypass channel and work directly on dry ground. Installing this kind of infrastructure in the St. Lawrence River is far more complex, and therefore, the construction costs would necessarily be higher.

How Are We Going to Pay for This? 🙊

There will be many expenses throughout the project, spread over time. The same goes for funding needs.

We regularly reach out to you for donations. While these are essential to cover moderate expenses (e.g., permits, basic studies, documentation), we’re realistic—we know we can’t expect to raise several million dollars through public donations alone.

The ideal situation is to tie the development of a new wave to a project that already has funding. This not only benefits from an already established budget but also allows some excavation work to be combined, reducing the overall cost. That’s what we’re trying to do at Parc Jean-Drapeau, by linking it to major renovation work already planned there.

There are also grant programs.

For now, only one applies: the Financial Assistance Program for Recreational, Sports and Outdoor Infrastructure (PAFIRSPA). This program could cover 66% of the costs, up to a maximum of $20 million.

(Feel free to share with us if you know of other grants that could apply.)

Will Surfers Have to Pay to Surf the New Wave? 🏄

We believe that a new wave in Montreal should be **free or at least very low-cost** for surfers. Otherwise, people are likely just to go surf at Habitat 67 or Vague à Guy.

What’s Next? ⌚

Once the environmental studies are completed, we’ll carry out feasibility studies to get a better idea of the costs involved.

We’re also looking into the possibility of supporting wave creation in rivers outside the St. Lawrence and the Greater Montreal area.

So, How Long Before We Can Expect a New Wave? 🗓️

It’s hard to say, but we’re talking a few years.

Most likely, it’ll take at least another year to complete the preliminary studies. Then a few more years for additional studies (market, environmental impact), preparing plans and specifications, and finally, construction.

We’ll keep you posted along the way!

So We Can’t Just Drop a Big Block of Concrete in the River and Surf a New Wave for Free? 🏗️

That was vaguely the idea at the beginning, but we have to admit—it’s way more complicated than that.

In any case, it’s made us realize just how lucky we are to have the waves we currently do, and how important it is to protect them.