Manitoba

Riverwalk path opens, Splash Dash tours launch for long weekend

The hot, dry weather has sent Winnipeggers flocking to the rivers at The Forks — fishing, feeding the ducks and geese — and starting this weekend, there will be even more to do.

Activity options at The Forks expand as the sun warms Winnipeg

Splash Dash offers half-hour tours of the downtown waterways, leaving The Forks harbour every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to sunset, seven days a week. (CBC)

The hot, dry weather has sent Winnipeggers flocking to the rivers at The Forks — fishing, feeding the ducks and geese — and starting this weekend, there will be even more to do.

Splash Dash Tours has its boats in the water and ready to cruise.

"The boats and crew are ready," said owner Gord Cartwright. "It's great to be able to start tours for the May long weekend."

Half-hour tours of the downtown waterways leave The Forks harbour every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to sunset, seven days a week. Boat captains provide commentary and historical insights on many points of interest along the way.

Tickets are available at the Splash Dash kiosk at The Forks dock. Cost is $11 for adults and $9 for seniors and youth.

Cartwright is also hoping to get the Water Bus taxi service going in the coming weeks, once the docks along the Red and Assiniboine rivers can be put out.

Winnipeg's riverwalk will officially open Saturday from the Osborne Street Bridge to the Main Street Bridge. (CBC)

Bee2gether Tandem Bike Rentals is also now ready to roll at The Forks, offering single, tandem and other unique pedal-powered novelty bikes. Their shop, in a colourful Boler trailer, is located at the corner of Forks Market Road and Waterfront Drive.

Those who want to take a bike for a spin can wheel down to the riverwalk, which will officially open Saturday from the Osborne Street Bridge to the Main Street Bridge.

City crews have reinstalled the lighting, cleaned and graded the pathway and are putting on other finishing touches.