Kayaking in Quebec’s Saguenay - Lac Saint Jean Region [Video]
The Saguenay - Saint Lawrence Marine Park and Parc National du Fjord-du-Saguenay in central Quebec hold some of North America’s most dramatic landscapes.
Ken Whiting heads to this region for some sea kayaking, whitewater kayaking and sailing. Watch the video:
“We’re heading to a place that’s commonly referred to as The Land of Giants. Everything about the area is big and spectacular!
“It’s a rugged and inspiring land that features a lake so big that it feels like an ocean…one of the longest and most dramatic fjords in the world…and some of the best whitewater rivers that you’ll find anywhere.”
Adventure tourism and nature are defining features of this area.
Sea Kayaking in Saguenay Fjord
Saguenay Fjord is surrounded by mountains and towering cliffs. It connects Lake Saint Jean to the St. Lawrence River—an amazing kayak destination.
A fjord is defined by being partially salt water, according to Fjord en Kayak’s Mathieu Boulanger-Messier, Ken’s guide. Saguenay Fjord is one of the longest fjords in the world, at just over 100 kilometers.
The fjord runs through two national parks: Parc du Saguenay and Parc National du Fjord-du-Saguenay.
Fjord en Kayak offers kayak tours on the fjord from 3 hours to 5 days long. Of course, for the full experience of this wonderful area, you’ll want the 5-day kayak tour.
Ken’s conclusion: “You need to have some serious time and a lot of ibuprofin to paddle the whole stretch!”
Whitewater Kayaking in the Lac Saint Jean Region
Lac Saint Jean is a huge lake that hosts several rivers running into it, making it a whitewater paradise.
Whitewater kayaker, Sheril Gravel, took Ken down a section of the Aux Sables River. Sheril works for Pink Water, an organization that encourages women to get into whitewater sports.
She loves the confidence that running a river builds in herself and other women through Pink Water:
“Seven years ago whitewater changed my life. It gave me a lot of confidence because you don’t have control of water. From the moment you can do it well you’re so proud of yourself. It gives you a very good feeling.”
Ken adds:
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned in all my years of whitewater kayaking, it’s that as amazing as it is to push your own limits, there’s nothing more personally satisfying than helping someone else reach their goals or push themselves to do something that they never thought they could.”
“Today is further proof that paddling is only partly about the places you go and the things you see—it’s about the wonderful people you meet along the way.”
For more information about this region, go to: www.SaguenayLacSaintJean.ca.
Contact our Wisconsin-based Customer Service team with your paddle questions today: [email protected] • 715-755-3405
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