| | DID YOU KNOW? | | The kayak originated with the Inuit, who used it for hunting and fishing. The rabaskaw is of Amerindian origin. It is a canoe that is 7 to 10 metres (23 to 32 ft.) long, originally used to transport furs and which today carries a dozen or so paddlers. |
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Water funDive right in!
Québec’s vast quantities of water represent a wellspring of pleasures for those who enjoy nautical and aquatic activities. With over 185,000 km2 (71,410 sq. mi.) of territory covered in fresh water, not the mention the shoreline of the St. Lawrence, paddlers of all levels and swimmers big and small enjoy an embarrassment of choice!
Spend long, lazy days at the beach with your family and rediscover the simple joy of being submerged in pure water. Whether you’re near the city or deep in the heart of nature, you can explore rivers and streams by canoe, kayak or raft and use the sheer strength of your arms to tame the currents. Aquatic fun? Invigorating!!!
Canoeing and kayakingGo with the flow
Québec’s innumerable lakes and waterways, which have long served as transportation channels for explorers and merchants in the province’s north and west, offer today’s paddling enthusiasts an incredible array of rambles and routes at every level of proficiency: an experience that’s in perfect harmony with nature.A torrent of adventure!
 Among the rivers deemed the best for canoeing and kayaking, a certain number are particularly beloved by enthusiasts and may be accessed through adventure tour operators. This is certainly the case with the Rivière Bonaventure in the Gaspésie, the Moisie and Magpie rivers on the North Shore, the Métabetchouane, Ashuapmushuan and Shipshaw rivers in Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean, the Rivière Malbaie in Charlevoix, and the Jacques-Cartier and Sainte-Anne rivers near Québec City. Also among this stellar selection are the Matawin and Rouge rivers that wind through the Laurentides, Coulonge and Gatineau (Outaouais).Kayaking on the St. Lawrence
 Sea kayaking is a popular activity on the St. Lawrence River and in the Saguenay Fjord. Many riverside companies organize guided tours lasting anywhere from several hours to several days. These tours ensure proper training for novices and the safe supervision of all participants.
The Sentier maritime du Saint-Laurent, a water trail currently under development, is aimed at experienced kayakers and shall-draft craft. At the moment, it is made up of four “blue routes”: the Route bleue du sud de l’estuaire, the Route bleue des Baleines, the Route bleue de la Gaspésie and the Route bleue Québec—Chaudière-Appalaches. Within the next few years, other sections will hug the coastline from Montréal to the Gaspésie and the North Shore.Resort vacationing
 A stay at a holiday resort lets you try canoeing in complete safety or perfect your paddling technique on calmer waters—just like back in the days of the fur traders! Québec’s national parks, with their conservation areas and breathtaking scenery, are also choice spots for setting off on a canoe trip. Many parks offer canoe rentals.Urban paddling
 You can even go kayaking or canoeing in the cities—or very close by! In Québec City, enthusiasts can paddle on the St. Lawrence or in the Sainte-Foy outdoor recreation area. Montréal offers the Lachine Canal and the Parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville; while Gatineau proposes the splendid waterways of Gatineau Park. A delightful way to see the city from a new angle! |
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