News stories tagged with "rideau"

(02/07/11) Winterlude opened in Canada's capitol over the weekend. The annual celebration of winter in Ottawa continues for the next couple of weeks with music, food, art and skating on the world's largest skating rink -- the Rideau Canal. The Skateway opened for it's 41st season in early January.

Skating on the frozen waterway is such an eagerly-awaited event that Lucy Martin got a happy surprise when she easily found good street parking on opening weekend. That made her wonder how residents feel about living in the impact zone?

The first one she encountered said he doesn't really mind.

Oliver Bayer is today's Heard Up North.

(01/25/11) Marco Smits grew up skating outdoors in the Netherlands before he married a Canadian and settled in the rural lake country of Portland, Ontario.

Smits thought the area's excellent natural ice should do more than just hold up ice fishing huts. So, back in 2004, he inspired a bunch of hearty volunteers to clear a one kilometer oval track and launch a noteworthy community sporting event.

The 7th International Big Rideau Lake Speed Skating Marathon - affectionately nicknamed 'Skate the Lake' - is back for 2011, after taking a breather over the Vancouver Olympics.

This Saturday, January 29, skaters of all ages and abilities will descend on tiny Portland for 5, 10 or 25 kilometer events.

Ottawa correspondent Lucy Martin caught up with Smits by phone to hear how this year's preparations are coming along.

(01/14/10) Today's the day for those eager to enjoy Ottawa's Rideau Canal skateway. The 40th season of the highly popular destination opened this morning. Lucy Martin has more.

(01/14/10) Ottawa's Rideau Canal opened to skaters this morning. It's the 40th season of winter fun on the famous outdoor rink. Meanwhile, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, something called the River Trail is open, and growing. It may be on the narrow side, but for the last two years it topped Ottawa to claim the title of world's longest skateway. When it comes to ice, does size matter? The River Trail's Paul Jordan is someone who would know. Ottawa reporter Lucy Martin reached him in Winnipeg.

(04/25/08) During the Revolutionary War, thousands of Americans fought their own friends and neighbors in support of British rule. They lost and were driven away, largely vanishing from the pages of history books. Most headed north across Eastern Canada. The village of Burritts Rapids, on Ontario's Rideau River, was named for its first white settler, Vermont Loyalist Stephen Burritt. Canadian writer Mark Jodoin will detail Burritt's adventurous life next Tuesday evening at the Merrickville and District Historical Society's Annual Dinner. Jodoin discussed Burritt, his turbulent times, and the region's many cross-border ties with Ottawa correspondent, Lucy Martin, along the banks of the Long Island Locks near Manotick, Ontario.

(01/03/08) The Ottawa area is also breaking records for early snow: well over 45 inches have fallen in December alone. While shovelers wonder where to put it all, skiers are ecstatic over one of the best early seasons in memory. Meanwhile, skaters are impatiently awaiting the foot of ice needed to get out on the nearly 5-mile-long Rideau Canal Skateway. Lucy Martin caught up with National Capital Commission spokeswoman Kathryn Keyes yesterday morning for an update on the perennial question, "Can we skate yet?" The answer?... not quite.

(01/10/06) The "World's Longest Skateway" opened Saturday under grey skies and light flurries. Ice conditions were "fair" to "good", and crowds of walkers, joggers and skaters turned out to enjoy various canal attractions. Ottawa's Rideau Canal is a favorite winter activity for residents and visitors alike. Lucy Martin spoke to skaters, and a vendor who explained a traditional canalside snack.

(09/23/05) Rowing is a sport that appeals to people for a number of reasons. It can be a leisurely way to spend some time on a river or lake, or enjoying the company of friends. Rowing can also be a competitive sport that combines strength, endurance and teamwork. A small group of North Country rowers is preparing for the Head of the Rideau race in Ottawa on Sunday. Todd Moe caught up with some of the Grateful Oars at their home waters, Norwood Lake, in St. Lawrence County. He spoke with Brooks Washburn, Jim Vitale, Mike Walter, Bill MacKentley, and the team's coxswain (the non-rowing member who steers the boat) Celia Norman, as they finished an evening workout.

(02/06/02) The Rideau Canal in Ottawa is open for skating. The recent cold temperatures enabled the National Capital Commission to open the popular skating rink--just in time for the Winterlude festival. From Ottawa, Karen Kelly has the story.