by James Sedgwick, President, Canadian Go Association
The Canadian Go summer schedule features two big events, set a few weeks before and a few weeks after US Go congress.
- Canadian Go Championships, June 28th-30th in Halifax Nova Scotia
- Canadian Go summer camp, in a resort east of Montreal August 17-22
Both events would welcome visitors from E-journal readers. Please read on for some highlights, and view the event websites for full details.
Canadian Go Championships
The long time highlight of the Canadian Go calendar has been the Canadian championships; 2025 will be the 48th annual taking place in Halifax Nova Scotia from June 28th-30th. You will want to book by April 15th to get the best rate of 70 USD. You can certainly book later, but additional fees apply, and options like the residence rooms may sell out. Check out the website after reading below for further details and to register.
This year is the very first time this event has been held east of Quebec city, a big step to ensuring we reach all parts of Canada. Halifax and the surrounding area are very historic as an early point of British settlement in North America. A trip to the open can make a lovely combination with some sightseeing of the surrounding area. Aside from your own exploration, local organizers are working to provide a variety of entertainment options. They are currently working with travel groups to arrange affordable day trips and activities such as target shooting. They have also arranged complimentary event t-shirts. We hope that the Go tournament and the opportunity to explore this famous travel city will be reasons for more players and their families to come to Halifax
The Canadian open has a 6 round main tournament, with 2 games per day. There will be pair go, a closing banquet and other side activities to complement the intense main competition. All levels of players are welcome. The top players will compete for a first prize of at least 1500 CAD (as well as opportunities to represent Canada internationally for those who are citizens).
We'll be playing at King's college inside Dalhousie University. The main playing hall is a grand historic hall. The university residence has made space available for us, and given us great rates. Discount prices are valid from June 26 to July 3，2025. Please note that July 1st is Canada Day. The rate for this date is $52 USD for a single room or $83 USD for a double room.
Canadian Go Summer Camp
The Canadian Go Association will hold its 7th annual summer camp at Jouvence resort (Inside Mont Orford National Park), an hour east of Montreal. The camp runs from Sunday August 17th - Friday August 22nd. The resort is a non-profit, allowing us to offer a combination of luxury meals, a stunning outdoor setting, and Go activities for a cost we couldn't normally achieve.
Our typical attendance has been about 40 Go players, with family members joining them. The lovely facilities, meals, and accommodations are so appreciated that we get Go players coming back year after year because their non-playing family mandate they attend; not the usual story with many Go events. If you have family on the fence about joining you for a Go trip this might be the one for you! We welcome participants of all ages, although note children do need to have attending adult supervision.
In previous years we've limited our advertising to the USA, since our space at the resort is capped. For 2025 we've managed to secure about 25% extra rooms, which should allow us 60 Go players. This permits us to welcome a few more of our American friends, and with the state of the world we can all do with some renewal of our ties of friendship! These spots are "first come first served". If we are not doing well on filling the space by May the resort will take these rooms and rent them on their own; the resort is always sold out by summertime. Registration is open now, follow the website instructions, and email with any questions. Aside from sellout risks(sellouts could come up even before the late fee date), late registration fees apply after May 31st.
Our mornings are the serious part of our Go day. We run a league, with game reviews by our professional instructors. In the afternoon we take advantage of the included resort facilities for outdoor fun. Boating, sports, etc are all included. There will be a group activity or two you can join, as well as the option of relaxing by the beach, your own outing of choice, or a lazy nap. In 2025 we will be taught by Yoonyoung Kim 8P and Ryan Li 4P. All three meals each day are a spectacular buffet, I haven't experienced anything close to this quality at other Go events I've attended. In the evening it is back to Go activities, often an intense lecture followed by a more relaxed activity like Pair Go, team matches against the pros, 13x13 tournament, etc.
Go camp has been a highlight of Canadian summers for years now; I hope some of you can take the chance to try out this wonderful experience, you won't regret it!