Iceboating on Lac Deschenes
The Ottawa Iceboating Scene
Iceboating has been a tradition on Lac Deschenes for many years. In recent years there has been an increase in activity and more boats are showing up. And you couldn't ask for a nicer site from which to base, than the Nepean Sailing Club. Park your boat on the dock and when the ice is right and the wind is up, just come down and go sailing. And when you want to warm up, you can sail right up to the bar and have a drink! If you're interested in learning more, stop down to the club when the conditions look good, and you're bound to find some ice-boaters around.
Very warm clothing is required. Not only is it cold ... it's cold and windy! So long underwear is a must. Then you'll need big warm boots like SOREL's. Then a nice down parka followed by very warm gloves or mits. A toque is nice but you'll take it off when you put on the mandatory crash helmet. You won't need it anyway because the helmets are insulated and have full visors to protect your face from the wind and ice bits coming off the runners.
Photographs
For a taste of what it's like, check out the following photos taken in front of NSC in the spring of '06:
Other Links
For more information, check out the following sites:
- International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association - Lots of good Articles and Photos.
- Montreal Ice Boating Association.
- New England Ice Yacht Association.
- Iceboating.net - Iceboating in the Minnesota area.
- The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club, Madison, Wisconsin.
- West Michigan Ice Yacht Club - Includes a good article about Building DNs.
- Grand Traverse (Michigan) Ice Yacht Club.
- Connecticut Ice Yacht Club.
- Ice Flyer - an iceboat with a windsurfing attitude!
- Yahoo! Iceboat Group.
E-mail Distribution List
Note that the e-mail distribution list (nsc-iceboaters@nsc.ca) has been deactivated, due to problems with spam. If you have a message of general interest for Ottawa area iceboaters, you may forward it to the NSC Iceboaters Contact Person, who will then bcc it to a confidential distribution list. Similarly, if you'd like to be added to this confidential distribution list, send an e-mail to NSC Iceboaters Contact Person.
Ice & Sailing Reports
If I have time to post ice reports, I'll do so, but the absence of reports should not be taken as an indication that there isn't any good ice around. It may just mean that we're too busy iceboating to update the web site.
Updated by Hugh Morrin (the Iceboaters' Contact Person).
