Thursday, August 10, 2017 – From August 10 to 13, residents between Montreal and Quebec City are invited to encourage and welcome the 90 participants of the Desgagnés Kayak Challenge who began their four-day trip on the St. Lawrence River this morning. More than a sporting challenge, the Défi kayak Desgagnés Montréal-Québec is a fundraising event for Young Musicians of the World.

Montreal-Sorel-Tracy – August 10 Kayakers will begin their trip at Parc de la Promenade Bellerive, a place where Montreal’s infrastructure on the north shore contrasts with the natural beauty of the Boucherville Islands.

Mathieu Fortier, co-founder of Jeunes musiciens du monde and instigator of the Desgagnés Kayak Challenge, says that “this first day will be quite challenging for inexperienced kayakers. However, they will finish this first part of the journey with a smile on their faces and will be reassured about their ability to complete the challenge.

The day will end at Parc Regard-sur-le-Fleuve in Sorel where an evening hosted by André Gagné, violinist of the Réveillons group, awaits the participants.

Sorel-Tracy -Trois-Rivières – August 11 On Friday, the procession will head to Trois-Rivières with a stop in Louiseville for lunch. “This will be the most challenging day of the Challenge,” says Mr. Fortier. “The weak current will not give kayakers much of a boost. In addition, the distant shorelines will give the impression of a slow progression,” he explains.

Participants will be able to rest in the evening by listening to the singer-songwriter Alexandre Désilet who will come to encourage them by performing a few pieces. The artist is participating in the Desgagnés Kayak Challenge for a second time. Indeed, during the first edition, he himself paddled the 250 kilometres between the metropolis and the capital.

Trois-Rivières-Portneuf – August 12 On Saturday, August 12, it will be the turn of the residents between Trois-Rivières and Portneuf to be able to watch the kayakers pass by.

This section of the route will be marked by the passage through the Richelieu Rapid between Deschambault and Portneuf, which will allow participants to progress at high speed. “For a few kilometres, they can reach a speed of 20 km/h,” says Mr. Fortier.

In the evening, participants will be able to attend a performance by students from the École de Québec de Jeunes musiciens du monde and thus give meaning to the kayakers’ sporting challenge. Isabeau and the gold diggers will also be present to continue the celebration.

Portneuf-Québec – August 13 “On the last day of the Desgagnés Kayak Challenge, the excitement is always palpable,” says Mr. Fortier. “Kayakers are beginning to realize that they will finally reach their goal,” he says.

Arrival at Baie de Beauport is scheduled for Sunday, August 13 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Kayakers can be seen from the Samuel-De Champlain Parkway in Quebec City in the late afternoon.

The event will end with the unveiling of the amount raised for Young Musicians of the World at a cocktail reception where participants will be able to celebrate their victory with their family and friends who have come to welcome them.

Desgagnés Montreal-Québec Kayak Challenge

The Défi kayak Desgagnés Montréal-Québec is an event to benefit the Young Musicians of the World organization. More than just a sporting event, this kayak trip is an exceptional human experience focused on surpassing oneself, perseverance, team spirit, healthy lifestyles, friendliness and solidarity. By taking up the Challenge, the kayakers will allow Young World Musicians to continue its work with 950 children and adolescents from Quebec communities where opportunities are fewer. www.defikayak.org

About Young World Musicians

The Young Musicians of the World organization aims to ensure the full development of young musicians. young people from popular backgrounds by offering them free music lessons, musical expression activities and support personalized. Each of the schools is located in an environment where socio-economic problems are numerous and whose supply in activities is largely insufficient.

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