Advertisement

‘Don’t let go of the boat’: Calgary’s ice canoeing team gears up for race

Click to play video: '‘Don’t let go of the boat’: Calgary’s ice canoeing team gears up for race'
‘Don’t let go of the boat’: Calgary’s ice canoeing team gears up for race
They appear like ghosts -- voyageurs travelling impossibly icy, dangerous terrain in the dark of night. But ice canoeing is a very real sport with some very impressive athletes making laps of the Bow River multiple nights a week. Sarah Offin reports – Jan 16, 2026

If you’ve been along Calgary’s Bow River by night lately and wondered if your eyes deceived you, rest assured — ice canoeing (by night) is a real thing.

And it takes some real athletes to build up the courage to hurtle themselves over the jagged, unstable ice and frigid, fast-moving waters of the mighty Bow.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Barney Mcilhargey was recruited by his rugby team in 1999. The 72 year old is still doing it — training by night with a multigenerational team about to launch into competition on the St. Lawrence river.

Watch the video above for more. 

Sponsored content

AdChoices