Montreal body surfer devoted to the sport, even in the extreme cold
In the summer, a section of the St. Lawrence river in Montreal is a popular spot for surfers and kayakers.
In the coldest days of winter, it's almost deserted -- except for brave body surfer Carlos Hebért-Plante.
"I have two pairs of gloves, two pairs of socks, clothing lying under this wetsuit," Hebért-Plante told CTV News while catching some waves on Sunday.
Carlos Hebert Plante boogie boards on the St. Lawrence River in Montreal on Friday, February 3, 2023. Carlos Hebert Plante boogie boards all year even on days like today where the temperature dipped to -26 C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bernard Brault
Hebért-Plante, 45, has been body surfing in the St. Lawrence for 15 years. He does it year round, but prefers the winter.
"You can enjoy what the winter brings. There's less people, also," he said.
Carlos Hebert Plante boogie boards on the St. Lawrence River in Montreal on Friday, February 3, 2023. Carlos Hebert Plante boogie boards all year even on days like today where the temperature dipped to -26 C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bernard Brault
Hebért-Plante even went for a dip during the recent cold snap that saw wind chill temperatures in the upper forties.
It's not something he recommends for beginners.
"Come start in the summer. But if they get the skills, then maybe they can prepare for the winter."
Carlos Hebert Plante boogie boards on the St. Lawrence River in Montreal on Friday, February 3, 2023. Carlos Hebert Plante boogie boards all year even on days like today where the temperature dipped to -26 C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bernard Brault
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deceased found in St. Lawrence River were trying to cross U.S. border: police
The six people whose bodies were recovered from the St. Lawrence River Thursday consisted of two families of Romanian and Indian origins who were likely trying to enter the U.S. illegally, police said Friday.

Trump to be arraigned Tuesday to face New York indictment
Former U.S. President Donald Trump will be arraigned Tuesday after his indictment in New York City, court officials said Friday, his formal surrender and arrest presenting the historic, shocking scene of a former U.S. commander in chief forced to stand before a judge.
'Rust' set manager convicted in death of cinematographer
Dave Halls, first assistant director on Western "Rust, was sentenced on Friday for the on-set shooting death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, marking the first conviction for the 2021 fatality which shook Hollywood.
Trudeau defends appointment of cabinet minister's sister-in-law as interim ethics commissioner
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is defending the appointment of senior Liberal cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc's sister-in-law as Canada's interim ethics commissioner.
N.S. doctor denies alleged negligence in case of woman who died after long ER wait
A doctor named in a lawsuit after a Nova Scotia woman died in hospital following a long wait to see a physician has denied allegations from the family that he failed in his duties.
Syphilis cases in babies skyrocket in Canada amid health-care failures
The numbers of babies born with syphilis in Canada are rising at a far faster rate than recorded in the United States or Europe, an increase public health experts said is driven by increased methamphetamine use and lack of access to the public health system for Indigenous people.
Ottawa gives final approval, with conditions, for Rogers' $26B purchase of Shaw
The largest telecommunications deal in Canadian history will go forward after Rogers Communications Inc.'s $26-billion takeover of Shaw Communications Inc. received approval from Ottawa on Friday.
These are the conditions -- and penalties if violated -- of the Rogers-Shaw deal
Canadian Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne has approved Rogers Communications Inc.'s $26-billion takeover of rival telecom Shaw Communications Inc., but there are conditions attached and penalties of up to $1 billion if the companies violate them.
Former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole not seeking re-election, leaving this spring
Former Conservative leader Erin O'Toole says he will not seek re-election and plans to resign his seat this spring. The Ontario MP led the Conservatives and served as official Opposition leader from August 2020 until February 2022, when a majority of his caucus voted to remove him from the post.