ADK Talks Podcast Episode: Scrums, Suds, and Saranac Lake: The Spirit of Can-Am Rugby

Tri-Lakes & High Peaks RegionSaranac LakeLake Placid

Jul 6

Inside the Can-Am Tournament with Cameron Moody

Every summer, the quiet charm of Saranac Lake and Lake Placid erupts in a joyful scrum of community pride, fierce competition, and unmatched camaraderie. That’s right—it’s time for the legendary Can-Am Rugby Tournament.

In this episode of ADK Talks, hosts Jane and Steve delve into the heart of this beloved Adirondack tradition with Cameron Moody, the tournament director and lifelong rugby player, who joins us from his deployment with the National Guard in the Horn of Africa.

Whether you’re a seasoned rugby fan or just rugby curious, this episode is packed with stories, surprises, and reasons to attend the 51st Can-Am Rugby Tournament, happening July 25–27, 2025.
Looking for the 2026 tournament? Read our latest guide here.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Rugby Tournament in the Adirondacks — Cameron Moody and his family at the Can-Am Tournament. Photo courtesy Can-Am Rugby.

The grassroots origin story of Can-Am Rugby in the 1970s and how it grew into the largest amateur rugby tournament in the U.S.
Why rugby is a “gentleman’s game”—and what that really means on and off the pitch
How Can-Am supports local youth sports, scholarships, and community events
What to expect at the Tournament: free matches, family activities, and the return of wheelchair rugby
Why women’s rugby is booming, and what new divisions are debuting this year
Cameron’s big dreams for expanding the tournament and building youth rugby across New York State

Plus, don’t miss the Scrum & Done Lightning Round, where Cameron names his favorite post-match drink (hint: it's cold and comes in a can), the best rugby team names, and the advice he’d pass on to the next generation of players.

If you’re planning a summer trip to the Adirondacks, this is the tournament to build your weekend around—whether you’re a player, spectator, or just looking for something unforgettable and totally free to do in the Tri-Lakes.

Links & Resources:

🗓️ Tournament Info & Schedule: canamrugby.com
📱 Follow Can-Am Rugby on Facebook & Instagram
🎥 Live Stream Info: Can’t make it to the tournament? Stay tuned to social media for more information on the live stream on YouTube

Saranac Lake and Lake Placid Rugby Tournament — Photo courtesy Mountaineers Rugby: The Rugby Club of the Adirondacks

Mentioned in this podcast.

Never miss our latest episodes and recommendations.

Subscribe to ADK Talks on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music to stay informed about the people behind the best places to visit, stay, eat, shop, and explore in the Adirondacks.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter for updates and recommendations on the best places to eat, shop, stay, and do things in the Adirondacks.

We would love to hear from you if you have any questions or comments! Please email us at info@adktaste.com.

More about the ADK Talks podcast.

Love the Adirondacks? You’ll love our podcast. We take listeners beyond the guidebooks and into the heart of the Adirondacks. We share stories from the people behind the best places to eat, shop, stay and explore in the ADK.

Browse our Episodes.

Shop for unique Adirondack loon gifts and merchandise. Free shipping!

Shop Now

The best places to stay, shop, eat, and experience near Saranac Lake.

ADKTaste Recommendations

Lake Placid, NY: An ADK Taste Guide

An historic Winter Olympics village, mountain town, hiking basecamp, luxury escape and road-trip stop. Visit Lake Placid, NY.

Adirondack Loon Center Invites Young Artists to Explore the Wild Connections Behind the Call of the Loon

Young Adirondack artists are being asked to look beyond the loon itself — and explore the ecosystems that keep the Park alive.

Why the Lake Placid Marathon Is One of the Adirondacks’ Must-Run Races

This isn’t just a race—it’s a destination.

Cooking Up the Future: Inside Paul Smith’s Culinary Program and Adirondack Hospitality

From submarine kitchens to the White House to Paul Smith’s College, Chef Robert Dumas joins ADK Talks to explore Adirondack cuisine.

Adirondack Paddling Symposium Returns to Saranac Lake with a Focus on Skill, Confidence, and Community

The Adirondack Paddling Symposium returns to Saranac Lake this June with a full weekend of instruction, community, and Adirondack waterways.

Visit the Olympic Jumping Complex in Spring and Summer

Warm weather transforms Lake Placid’s Olympic Jumping Complex into a high-flying adventure.

voco Saranac Lake Waterfront Lodge on Lake Flower

A familiar Adirondack stay gets a fresh identity.

Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid

Whiteface Lodge blends Great Camp charm with modern luxury— fireplaces, spa days, and a private beach near Lake Placid.

Adirondack Rail Trail: A 34-Mile Journey Through History, Wilderness, and Adirondack Life

The Adirondack Rail Trail is one of the most scenic ways to experience the Park.

Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center in the Adirondacks

A quieter side of the Adirondacks—with boardwalk trails, birdlife, and 25 miles to explore.

Dartbrook Lodge in Keene, NY

Luxury accommodations in the Great Camp style in the High Peaks region.

Colin Jost’s Terrifying Lake Placid Bobsled Ride

When a “Weekend Update” anchor meets a 90-mph ice chute in the Adirondacks, you know it’s going to be good television.

Eleanor Roosevelt: Lake Placid Olympic Bobsledder

The first First Lady to ride with the Olympic bobsled team? It happened in the Adirondacks.

Healing the World from the Adirondacks: Dr. Trudeau and the Saranac Laboratory

Learn how a small Adirondack village helped change global medicine.

The Log Cabin at Peace Ridge — A Classic Adirondack Escape Worth the Trip

The ultimate private get-away on 135 acres

The Lake Placid Toboggan Chute is Back—and Still One of the Adirondacks’ Most Thrilling Traditions

Riders launch down the Lake Placid Toboggan Chute and glide across frozen Mirror Lake during the winter season.

NorthWind Fine Arts in Saranac Lake

Visit an Adirondack gallery where you enter with curiosity and leave with a deeper sense of place.

Bitters & Bones: Smoke, Suds, And Serious Flavor In The Heart Of Saranac Lake

Bitters & Bones in Saranac Lake—an Adirondack microbrewery and smoke-forward kitchen known for bold flavors.

Lake Placid to Unveil Statue Honoring Herb Brooks, Architect of the Miracle on Ice

The Olympic Center in Downtown Lake Placid is the site for a new sculpture honoring Herb Brooks.

Education in the Wild: Paul Smith’s College

Shaping climate resilience, careers, and the future of the Adirondacks.

Salt of the Earth Bistro: Global Comfort Food Rooted in the Adirondacks

Thinking globally, cooking locally at this foodie favorite in Lake Placid.

You Asked, We Answered: The ADK Talks Mailbag

In this episode, we crack open the ADK Talks mailbag — and our listeners did not hold back.

Weekender Hotels: Reinventing Adirondack Stays with Keir Weimer

Weekender Hotels is rewriting the script on where (and how) we stay in the Adirondacks.

A Higher Ground: Finding Your Center (and Your Caffeine) at Origin Coffee

Visit Origin Coffee in Saranac Lake and Lake Placid for an authentic ADK buzz.

Small-Town Screens, Big-Time Stories: Inside the Lake Placid Film Festival

In this episode, we sit down with Noah Raymer, Director of Communications for the Lake Placid Film Festival, to explore what makes this long-running North Country tradition so special.