Services and Logistics
SERVICES OFFERED TO THE PARTICIPANTS
MASTER CLASS LOGISTICS, thanks to the event-planning firm Oxygène.
PERSONAL ONLINE PROFILE on the Kayak Challenge’s donation portal in order to gather the 2,000 dollars required.
SUPERVISION BY SEA KAYAK PROFESSIONALS throughout the event, thanks to our partners Formation kayak Quebec.
TRAINING PROGRAM conceived by professional kayak coaches.
MEALS and snacks provided throughout the Challenge by a professional chef.
ENTERTAINMENT by professional artists and Young Musicians of the World’s student.
ACCOMPANIMENT BY MOTORBOATS and a rescue team throughout the event to ensure the participants’ safety, in collaboration with Sécurité Nautique Québec and Sauvetage A.G.
TRANSPORTATION : shuttle service, from Quebec to Montreal (with a stop in Trois-Rivières City) and back, thanks to our partner Autobus Fleur de Lys.
EQUIPMENT : kayak, paddles, safety equipment will be loaned by Boreal Design to the participants who require it.
CAMPING SITES at each stopover, thanks to the support of the municipalities of Sorel, Trois-Rivières and Portneuf.
NON INCLUDED SERVICES
CLOTHING : synthetic clothing appropriate for water sports (a list will be provided in the participant’s guide).
TRAINING LEVEL I IN SEA KAYAK, FQCK, Paddle Canada, ACA or BCU approved, compulsory for beginners. This one-day training costs approximately 130 dollars.
HOUSING : rooms in partner hotels and camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, mattress, etc...)
PARKING : If you come by car to the Port of Montreal or at the Baie the Beauport sites, parking fees will be applied by the respective administrations for the 5 days.
EQUIPMENT : for the participant who do not own it, kayaks, paddles and security equipment can be rented at preferential rates with our partners. The equipment will be delivered at the departure place and picked up at the arrival.
LOGISTICS 
TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL POINTS
A bus, as well as a trailer adapted to transport kayaks, will allow participants from the Quebec area to get to Montreal for the departure. For residents of Montreal area, the bus and the trailer will bring them back after the challenge. In both cases, a stop at Trois-Rivières City is planned.
TRANSPORTATION THROUGHOUT THE CHALLENGE
The bus and the trailer for the kayaks will follow the challenge throughout the journey and will ensure the transportation between the stopovers for those who select the 32 km/day option. The buses will also carry the luggage of all participants.
CATERING
All the meals as well as snacks will be provided to the participants.
KAYAKS
The participants who already own the required kayaking kit (kayak, paddle and safety equipment - whistle, personal floatation device, floating rope and pump) are strongly advised to bring it. For those who do not, kayaks and equipment can be rented at preferential rates with our partners. The equipment will be delivered at the departure place and picked up at the arrival.
HOUSING
1. TENTS
The participants can pitch their tents on the night stopovers. Showers and bathroom facilities will be available. For the participants who do not live in Montreal, a camping space will be arranged next to the point of departure on the night of the 14th. On each night of the Challenge, rooms can be rented in partner hotels. Transport to and from these hotels will be available.
2. HOTELS
For the participants who wish to do so, hotel rooms can be rented at their own cost. A shuttle will take them back after the diner and pick them up in the morning before the breakfast.
SECURITY
SAFETY BOATS
The fleet will be escorted by several motorboats allowing the team to intervene rapidly in case of emergency. First aid professionals will be aboard the boats at all time.
ADVERSE WEATHER
Buses and trailers adapted in order to transport kayaks will follow the Challenge participants on the road at all times. In case of adverse weather, the participants will be safely brought to the next stopover point.
TEAMS
In order to ensure the participant’s safety and optimal enjoyment of the Challenge, they will be organized into groups of 10, in which one person, the leader, will be a trained Level 2 Sea Kayaker by the Quebec Canoe and Kayak Federation (or equivalent accreditation – Paddle Canada, BCU, ACA). The leaders will be equipped with a VHF marine radio allowing them to be in contact with the safety boats at all times.
PHYSICAL TRAINING AND KAYAK PROFICIENCY
Prior to the event, the participants are invited to attend the progressive training program of Desgagnés Kayak Challenge. Participants have to attend a one-day training (Sea kayak level I – FQCK, Paddle Canada, ACA, BCU) in order to make the most out of their adventure and to ensure their safety.
COAST GUARD
Throughout the event, Desgagnés Kayak Challenge team will regularly be in touch with the Coast guard in order to inform them of the progression of the group.
