We loaded up the Traverse and headed east. One Timmies stop and a good long nap for Timo later and we were in Montreal checking into our ALT hotel. At 4:30 pm we got back in the car to "go swimming" and drove through the DIX30 outdoor urban mall to the Surf Oasis. Len was definitely surprised as just 2 days prior we'd been surfing in 0°c waves on Georgian Bay.
I'd done some research and Surf Oasis is the only indoor wave pool in Canada. They can take up to 12 surfers per 1/2 hour and we booked some hour long sessions so we could take turns on the wave, cheering and watching Timo.
The wave is intimidating as it is inevitable that you will fall. The instructors explain how falling on your back into the shallow water is the best way to go down. We each got on the boards and were standing for 20-30 seconds. But as this was our first session no one was really feeling in control. On my last attempt I fell and slightly extended the tendons on the top of my foot.
We dried off and got a nice table for dinner. I had scrumptious steak tartare. There was surfer who clearly had spent many hours on the wave and was jumping onto his board from the side, carving and spraying buckets of water. Two younger women were self launching off the sides and getting very long rides. It was great to see what is possible on the wave.
The next day we explored old Montreal, drove on the F1 track, and visited the Karsh exhibit at the Musee de Beaux Arts. Our meals were fantastic everywhere we went.
On the way out of town, we picked up wood fired bagels and returned to the Surf Oasis. Vanessa, Len and Jen were looking more comfortable on the wave. I really had an epiphany when I started self launching at the side. I wound up trying some 180s and 360s which were fun.
We headed back on the 401 smiling and with a few bruises. My thighs were sore for several days. It was awesome to take our first mini vacation out of Ontario for the first time in 2 years. I'm looking forward to trying it again next time we are in Quebec.
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