The river that I’m paddling is the Ottawa River. While the Ottawa River is best known for its world class whitewater, it also has countless opportunities for flatwater paddling adventures, whether you’re into kayaking, canoeing or SUPs.

The section that I’m doing on this day starts in Westmeath and finishes in LaPasse. This is my first time exploring this section of river, even though it’s only 20 minutes from my home. It’s just another example of how some of the best adventures in the world can be found in your own backyard.

The sea kayak I’m testing on this paddling adventure is the Boreal Design Baffin P3 touring kayak / sea kayak. After 20-miles of paddling, which took around 5 hours, here’s what I can tell you.

The Boreal Design Baffin P3 kayak is an all-conditions sea kayak, and the largest of three unique Baffin models.

What does the Baffin P3 cost?

It retails for around $1900 USD, which is right in line with other kayaks in its class. It’s 17’7” long, 23.75” wide, it has a capacity of 350 lbs (158 kg).

The plastic version that I’m testing weighs 69 lbs (31 kg). What does all of this mean? In a nutshell, it’s a long, single-person sea kayak, that is average in width, has lots of capacity for multi-day trips, and is quite heavy.

What Boreal Design says about the Baffin series of kayaks

“The Baffin is built for the rigors of rough seas. Its unique hull design provides paddlers with a lively, yet stable boat compared to other Greenland style kayaks. It is well suited for a wide range of paddlers who demand immediate control and predictability.”

Initial impression of the Boreal Design Baffin sea kayak

The Baffin P3 is a really nice sea kayak! It has all the standard features you expect from a sea kayak, including a retractable skeg instead of a rudder (if you’re not sure if this is right for you, watch my video about rudders vs skegs).

Baffin speed, is it fast?

At 17’7” long, the Baffin is designed to be a fast kayak, and it certainly is. That being said, it’s definitely not the fastest sea kayak on the market, because it trades some speed for stability and maneuverability, which is required to dealing with rougher conditions.

Baffin stability as a sea kayak

At 23.75” wide, the Baffin is a little wider than many sea kayaks, and it gives up a little speed because of it. The trade-off is a good one for this kayak, as it gains more stability than it loses speed. In fact, for a sea kayak, the Baffin was very stable. I could comfortably put my paddle down to mess with cameras, grab water, or turn around in the boat to swap paddles or access the day hatch.

Maneuverability of a 17′ sea kayak

Any 17’ kayak is going to take some effort to turn, and the Baffin is no different. That being said, the Baffin was quicker turning than most kayaks in its class. Perhaps more importantly, the Baffin was very easy to put on edge and hold on edge to facilitate turns, which is an essential attribute when dealing with rough water.

Comfort of the Baffin seat and cockpit

The Baffin has a very simple but comfortable cockpit. The contoured seat doesn’t have any adjustable, under-leg support (like the wonderfully comfortable AirPro seat in the Wilderness Systems Tempest 170), but it wasn’t an issue. The seat was very comfortable, the back band is simple, but very adequate, and there was nothing of particular interest to note about the thigh braces and foot braces – they’re simple and effective. The boat has plenty of space in the cockpit for bigger paddlers. At 6’2” tall and 195 lbs, I had lots of room and could imagine someone quite a bit bigger enjoying the kayak as well.

Quality of Boreal Design Baffin P3

Someone commented on my YouTube video, that the Baffin is built like a tank – a fast tank. I think that’s a great description of this kayak. It doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, which means not much can go wrong. The only ‘weak point’ would be the skeg, which like every other skeg, could easily get jammed with rocks and sand in the skeg box. Otherwise, the kayak seems very well built, and I get the sense that it would last for years of hard use. Of course, you do pay for this a little with its weight.

Overall, the Boreal Design Baffin P3 is a very nice sea kayak. It is simple, well-built, and feels like it would last for years. Does it match Boreal’s description? Yes. The kayak is fast, easy-to-paddle, stable and maneuverable. The kicked-up bow and stern provides confidence in rough conditions – like it will blast over waves and maneuver quickly when you need it to. For multi-day kayakers, it has large hatches for gear, and despite the lower, Greenland style stern deck, it has lots of storage room. The one thing to note about the Baffin is that it is noticeably heavy, and so for many people it will require two able bodies to move it around.

Shorts:  NRS Benny Board Short: https://bit.ly/2VIbK0L

Lifejacket:  NRS Zen PFD: https://bit.ly/2VCfrF3

Paddle:  Aquabound Tango Carbon Paddle: https://bit.ly/3j7Wza8

Paddle:  Gearlab Kalleq Greenland Paddle: https://bit.ly/2WAKPUQ

Dry Bags:  NRS Ether Lock 10L Drybag – https://www.nrs.com/product/55034.01/nrs-ether-hydrolock-dry-sack

Some of these are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

I hope you enjoyed this article. For more information, check out my gear reviews, tips, and adventures on PaddlingTV.

Special thanks to:

The post Boreal Design Baffin P3 Sea Kayak Review appeared first on Hazeadventure.

If you’ve never been been to Québec, I can tell you confidently that it really does have something for everyone—because it has lots of everything. It has big and energetic cities, beautiful little villages, stunning coastline, awesome food, and cool microbreweries. But one thing that it has more than anything else, is pristine wilderness.

As big as the state of California, but with a population of only a few thousand, Eeyou Istchee Baie-James is one of the most untouched and pristine lands in the world. For the outdoors lover, it's a paradise with countless rivers and lakes to explore, and an endless forest that's teeming with life.

Obviously too big to explore in a single trip, we made our way to the Chibougamau Marina on Lake Chibougamau, a beautiful and full-service lodge that was ideally situated as a base for our trip and a great place to unwind from the long drive. The plan for the first day was to launch directly from the marina and explore the lake by kayak. Joining me for the paddle (and to ensure I didn’t get lost) was Audrey Perreault from the local tourism board. Now Audrey really must have drawn the short straw, because not only was she stuck with me for the day, but she's gotta keep up paddling herself and her little one, who was expected in only a few short months. The fact that she joined me is a testament to how the outdoors is more than just a feature of the region–it’s a way of life.

As we paddled down Lake Chibougamau, the sense of remoteness grew and the depth of the wilderness really came into focus. It’s amazing to think about how many opportunities there are for adventure in this area. There are literally thousands of other equally remote and unique rivers and lakes that we could have chosen to paddle–this one just made sense because we were staying at the marina.

Although there is a lot more water to explore on Lake Chibougamau, I was really interested in learning more about local Cree culture, as they represent the largest group of First Nations in Canada. And so I made the short drive to the community of Oujé-Bougoumou, which translated means “the place where people gather.” The Oujé-Bougoumou Cree have a very long history in the region but the village itself is quite new. After having been displaced and relocated repeatedly in the twentieth century due to mining activities, the village was completely rebuilt in the nineties. One of the key developments within the community is the Cree Cultural Institute. This beautiful building is also a museum, archive center, library and cultural center, and a place for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous to learn about the Cree culture. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to visit it.

Excited to see and learn even more about Cree culture, I headed a few miles out of town into the bush to a place called Nuuhchimi Wiinuu Cree Cultural Tours. Here, Ann and David Bosum welcome guests year-round to share their Cree culture. The couple have built a variety of traditional dwellings that showcase how the Cree people have lived for countless years. And which guests may choose to spend the night in for the full effect.

I found David Bosum carving away down by the water. It was cool to see that what he was making a paddle. For me, the paddle is unlike any other piece of paddling gear. It’s your connection between hand and water, and in some cases, the incredible power of Mother Nature. Although the paddles that David makes are designed to be works of art in rather than for everyday paddling, they are definitely symbolic of the importance that paddling and the outdoors have within the Cree culture.

As my time in the Eeyou-Istchee-Baie-James region came to its end, I had to admit that I really didn't know what to expect from this trip. The truth of the matter is that even though the highway that leads here is in great condition, you're still heading off the beaten path. There isn't a ton of information or imagery out there to help set your expectations. In the end, however, that's exactly what made this trip such a treat. It’s like sitting down to watch a movie that you know absolutely nothing about, only to discover that it's one of the best movies you've ever seen.

I love surprises, and I love learning, and this trip provided both with flying colors. I'm very much looking forward to exploring more of this wild and wonderful region.

Special Thanks To:

Aventure Écotourisme Québec | Tourisme Eeyou Istchee Baie-James

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Next up on my adventures through Québec: Québec Authentique. Here I got to explore one of the least-well-known national parks in the province, as well as check out a really cool urban paddling city that's considered by many to be a distillation of the best that Québec has to offer. Québec Authentique boasts a beautiful and wide-open landscape that offers incredible access to the natural world through its two national parks, 15 regional parks, and three wildlife reserves. And the postcard beauty is anything but static, as the area prides itself on having a vibrant community that shares an intimate connection with the outdoors. Located on the north shore of the St Lawrence River, between Québec's two urban hubs of Québec City and Montréal, Québec Authentique is a blending of the province's beautiful Lanaudière and Mauricie regions.

To kickstart my adventures, I found myself in the province's largest, oldest, and probably most-well-known national park, Mont-Tremblant National Park. Although I've spent a fair amount of time in the park over the years, this particular area is new to me. The Mont-Tremblant Park that I know is very close to Mont-Tremblant resort and it's beautiful, but pretty busy because it's so close to Montréal.

Only an hour further than Mont-Tremblant, you’ll suddenly feel much more remote. While there are not many people here there is very thick wilderness. I met up with Ben Peterson from Au Canot Volant, who helped show me around join me on a trip down the Assomption River.

Although I'd never been to this part of Québec before, I'd heard plenty about the Assomption. It's a well-known paddling route, and at over 120 miles in length it's one of the most important rivers in the Lanaudière region. From the moment you leave the launch you feel as though you've left civilization behind and the only connections that matter are the connections you make with nature and those you're traveling with. It really is a classic wilderness river.

As amazing as it was to dive into the wilderness and escape the real world for a while, paddling is more than a way to escape. Paddling can play a special role in our day-to-day lives–and in urban environments. A perfect example of this is Maikan Aventure, an adventure travel company found in the city of Trois-Rivières.

Although I love wilderness paddling trips there's something really cool about urban paddling, especially in a place like Trois-Rivières that has such an active paddling scene. It's fun to see other people enjoy the river so much, and really neat to be able to pull over at a riverside restaurant. You also get such a unique perspective of things from the water that you simply can't get from the land.

After a quick lunch stop, my paddling partner Alex Legrow of Maikan Aventure and I headed further upstream to a section of the Saint-Maurice River that has some fast flowing water, and which leads to a very special place called the Devil’s Fountain. The Devil’s Fountain is found near the remnants of the ironworks in Trois-Rivières, and it’s interesting due to the fact that you can literally light the water on fire, thanks in large part to methane emissions coming out of the water.

I had a really enjoyable day paddling with Alex through the heart of Trois-Rivières. Before I knew it the sun was quickly dropping towards the horizon, but I had one more place to check out. Word has it that Lac Saint-Pierre is one of the best spots in Québec to watch the sunset…and I'm a sucker for a good sunset. Sunsets are like waterfalls and lighthouses, it doesn't matter how many you see, it's always cool.

Paddling away the last hour of light was a great opportunity for me to reflect on the past few days in Lanaudière and Mauricie. The trip had been amazing and was a real reminder of how many different types of experiences you can have with a paddle in your hand. There's no such thing as the “best experience” – all that matters is having an experience. That just means getting out there, whenever you can, in whatever craft you can, wherever you can.

Special Thanks To:

Aventure Écotourisme Québec | Sépaq | Québec Authentique Lanaudière & Mauricie

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Sandwiched between Canada's capital city of Ottawa and the never-sleepy city of Montréal, the Laurentians (known as les Laurentides by French Canadians) takes it's name from the chain of mountains that run through it. The Laurentians is a wilderness paradise with beautiful rolling hills, countless lakes, and wild rivers. The region features endless opportunities for outdoor adventure along and is one of Canada's top adventure sport destinations.

Although this is arguably the most accessible region of Québec, it's also a land with an amazing amount of ecological diversity and wide open spaces. Smack dab in the center of the region, Mont-Tremblant is a resort town that draws countless visitors. And for good reason! It's a beautiful and lively place. Although it's probably the most popular destination in the Laurentians, there are so many other places worth exploring in the area.

With this in mind and looking to get off the beaten track a bit, my adventures began at Lac Poisson-Blanc—a regional park dotted with a hundred islands offering wild campsites and incredible canoe and kayak camping. To show me around, I'm met up with Fabienne Herve, a local paddler who loves exploring the world by kayak as much as I do.

Although Lac Poisson-Blanc is definitely a beautiful lake, it's beauty isn't what makes it unique, because the Laurentians are packed with gorgeous lakes and rivers. What's so awesome about it is how accessible they've made it by offering canoe, kayak, or paddle board rentals onsite. There is even the option to have your luggage delivered to and from your campsite! 20 years ago I would have scoffed at this option, but now that age has delivered an aching back, it’s a real treat to pull up to camp and have all my gear already onsite.

After an absolutely amazing day on the water, it only got more beautiful as the sun began to set. In my mind, the only thing better than a good day of paddling is finishing a good day of paddling with a big meal and camping on an island.

Although Fabienne and I had a beautiful time on Lac Poisson-Blanc, one of the thing the Laurentians is well known for is having great whitewater. It was only fitting that next on my list was a trip to the Rouge River. The Rouge River is one of the most popular whitewater rivers in eastern Canada and home to New World Rafting, a whitewater rafting company which has been running both high and low adventure trips on the Rouge for 38 years.

New World is really proud of the experience and passion of their guides–and rightly so! Many of these guides are lifers who love nothing more than sharing the river experience with people. Often these guides travel around the world to work on the best rivers, which ultimately brings them back to the Rouge every spring and summer.

I met up with Derek Klapka, a lifelong river guide and kayaker who knows the river as well as anyone. As Derek and I spent the day paddling through the Rouge’s high volume rapids, it became obvious that Derek, like me, loves being on the water. So much so that we spent over 7 hours on a section that usually takes only 1.5 hours to paddle because we kept running back up to run rapids over and over again thanks in large part to great water levels.

After a great day back on the Rouge, it was hard to get in my truck and head off to my next destination. But more adventures await me in Québec!

Special Thanks To:

Aventure Écotourisme Québec | Sépaq | Tourisme Laurentides

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Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean is located in the middle of Québec and it's the third largest region of the province. With three national parks, and a marine park within its boundaries, it's no surprise that adventure tourism and nature are defining features of the area. 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. 

To begin my adventure, I headed to fjord en Kayak in l’Anse-Saint-Jean, the premier kayak company in the area, to meet up with one of their guides, Mathieu Boulanger-Messier, who knows the waters of the fjord as well as anyone. At just over 100-kilometers long, the Saugnenay fjord is one of the longest in the world and is world-renowned, making it an ideal spot for sea kayakers.

As we paddled, we passed through both the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park–which was created to protect the beluga whales–and Saguenay National Park, which was created to protect the towering cliffs of the fjord. It's easy to see why the region is often referred to as the land of giants–everything about this landscape is huge and there isn't a better way to get a real sense of the size, than paddling along the base of the cliffs. They’re beautiful and impressive to look at from shore but looking up from below, it's hard not to feel a little overwhelmed and a little insignificant.

While kayaking has always been one of my favorite ways to explore a place, it has one obvious disadvantage: you just can't cover distance quickly. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to paddle the whole stretch and so I met up with Sophie Drolet, a captain for Voile Mercator, a company that offers sailing lessons and vacations through the Saguenay fjord. Our mission was to reach the most famous and dramatic bay on the Saguenay River, La Baie-Éternité.

Our trip started slowly as the light winds pushed the boat through the waters slowly and smoothly. It wasn’t long, however, before a weather system approaches. As the wind picked up, the sunny skies were replaced by thick clouds and a fine mist. Right away, the boat jumped to life and then, as if on cue, the wind died down as we reached a narrow bay surrounded by the highest cliffs of the fjord. We reached La Baie-Éternité, otherwise known as Eternity Bay, the crown jewel of Saguenay National Park.

It was amazing how quickly the excitement of the run down the fjord was replaced by the calm of the bay. It really is a magical place and the clouds and mists that hovered around the mountains gave it all a surreal “Lord of the Rings”-like feel. I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting this sailing trip to be one of the highlights of my summer and boy was I wrong.

Following the Saguenay River upstream, we left the fjord behind and made our way towards the Lac-Saint-Jean region. The Lac-Saint-Jean region boasts some of the most beautiful rivers that you'll find anywhere, making it an outdoor and whitewater paradise. I was excited to get my feet wet in some of the rapids, so I met up with Sheril Gravel, co-founder of the Pink Water Community—a nonprofit organization who's main objective is to encourage women to participate in whitewater activities.

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 do to something they never thought they could. I'm sure that's one of the things that made my day with Sheril so special. We both share that passion for pushing and inspiring others to try new things and take advantage of, and take care of, the incredible natural playgrounds that surround us.

My time spent in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean was further proof that paddling is only partly about the places you go and the things you see–it's also about the wonderful people you meet along the way.

Special Thanks To:

Aventure Écotourisme Québec | Tourisme Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean

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The Québec region stole my heart. It really is unlike any other city in North America. Set on the banks of the St Lawrence River, the ‘Old Town’ is in fact a UNESCO World Heritage site whose cobblestone streets and historic buildings sometimes make it feel more like Europe than Canada. What makes the area even cooler is how much there is to do close by. 

Jacques-Cartier National Park

Only 30 minutes outside of Québec City, in Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier in the Laurentian Mountains, you'll find one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in the world. It's one of those special places that's surprisingly close to civilization but feels like you're in the middle of nowhere. Since the middle of nowhere is one of my favorite places to be, I was pretty excited about the adventure ahead.

To show me around the park, I met up with Cath Simard, a local photographer who has spent countless hours hiking and shooting in the park. This, however, was to be her first trip through the park by kayak. As we poured over maps to come up with a plan, I could tell that she was looking forward to this as much as I was.

The weather report was’t looking very good, and our first day in Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier started with some heavy rain. At first I was disappointed, as I thought it would have been awesome to see this place with bluebird skies. In the end, however, I wouldn’t have traded the weather for anything–especially given that we were about to paddle in one of the most gorgeous National Parks in the world, and we had the river to ourselves thanks in large part to the rain.

Québec City

I could easily have spent a week exploring Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier. But I'd also been looking forward to checking out Québec City itself, and what better time to do it than when I had a personal tour guide in Cath. Standing on the cobblestone streets of Old Québec, it was hard to believe we were a mere 30 minutes from where we has just been paddling. The transition is definitely a bit of a shock to the system but it's a welcome one. It is an absolutely beautiful city and the energy was amazing.

I can say unequivocally that Québec City lives up to the hype. The city is so rich with history and full of so much great energy. And then, only a stone's throw away, you have Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier which is, hands down, one of the most beautiful places that I've ever been.

My time in the Québec region was an incredible adventure. I made wonderful new friends and I can't wait to go back to the Jacques Cartier River.

Special Thanks To:

Aventure Écotourisme Québec | Sépaq | Québec City Tourism

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When planning things out for the Paddle Tales series, there were lots of places in Québec that I was excited to visit. There wasn't anywhere I wanted to check out more, however, than the small group of islands that sit like lone ducks in the middle of the Gulf of the Saint Lawrence: Québec's îles de la Madeleine, also known as the Magdalen Islands.

This is a place with endless sand beaches, spectacular sea caves, and a charming small-town vibe. Sculpted by the wind and sea, the islands really are spectacular. With 200 miles of pristine beaches, green rolling hills, and dramatic cliffs along a lot of the coastline. It's the kind of place where there's an obvious balance between nature and the population, which is only 15,000 for the whole region.

To get oriented, I headed to Aerosport Carrefour, a really cool outdoor shop and outfitter that offers kite boarding, stand up paddling, and sea kayaking trips. I met up with Elie-Anne Arseneau who works in the shop and leads paddling trips. We launched our kayaks and hit the water in one of the sheltered bays only a few minutes from the shop. These bays can accommodate paddlers of any level and offered me a beautiful first taste of the Magdalen coast.

After exploring the bay, Elie-Anne and I made the move to the outer exposed coast of the island to a place called La Belle-Anse. This area is known for having the region's most dramatic coastline, including some incredible sea caves to explore. I'd looked at photos and videos of the area before arriving in Les îles, but as always seems to be the case, it just didn’t do it justice. I've had the great fortune to paddle in stunning places around the world but this coastline was unlike anything I'd ever experienced. Hands down, it was one of the coolest places ever that I've ever explored.

The next day, still buzzing from my time sea kayaking with Elie, I made the trip to the far end of the Magdalen Islands to an Inn called La Salicorne. This part of the Archipelago gets much less traffic than the main island and definitely has a more remote feel to it. Although the Magdalen Islands has around 200 miles of gorgeous beach, the nearby Old-Harry Beach is considered one of the best surf beaches in the region – and one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world according to National Geographic. I loaded up my kayak and met up with Annabelle and Michael, two guides from La Salicorne who might actually love playing in the water more than I do.

We caught a couple of small waves, however the break wasn’t truly working as it normally does, so Michael and Annabelle decided they needed to show me something different. With that, they handed over the thickest wetsuit I've ever put on and told me we’d be going for a swim. I'll be honest, the whole idea of leaving my kayak behind in order to go swimming isn't something I would normally do—I like being in my kayak and not out of my kayak—but that's exactly what made it so fun.

Making our way through the rough water was slow work, but surprisingly easy to do with all the flotation that the wetsuit and life jacket provided. Michael and Annabelle made it look easy. They were like a couple of seals on the rocks while I felt like a big sea cow! As we came around the next cliff, some deeper and darker caves appeared before us. Once again, I followed my guides despite my better judgment and ended up having one of the coolest experiences I’d had in a long time.

Les Îles de la Madeleine was a place that I’d been wanting to visit for a long time. And so, my expectations were very high. To say that my expectations were simply met would be a huge understatement. Les Îles de la Madeleine blew my expectations out of the water! Everything about this experience was incredible.

I can't wait to go back and share the experience with my family.

Special Thanks To:

Aventure Écotourisme Québec | Tourisme Îles de la Madeleine | Le Québec maritime

The post Sea Kayaking Îles de la Madeleine, Québec appeared first on Hazeadventure.

A seemingly boundless area that's known for its rugged beauty and the diversity of its wildlife, Québec’s Côte-Nord region boasts 800 miles of coastline, thousands of islands and countless pristine rivers, making it a wild and wonderful paddling destination.

The Côte-Nord Region is located in Eastern Québec. Stretching along the Saint Lawrence from Tadoussac to Blanc-Sablon at the Labrador border, the area has countless natural treasures to discover. It's considered by many, to be the unpolished jewel of the province.

Kicking off my time in the region, I met up with Jean-Francois of Noryak, an accomplished whitewater paddler and sea kayaker, who has spent almost two decades exploring and guiding in the area.

Our adventure began on Quarry Island in Mingan National Park. We got up early, and made the short hike across the island, so that I could get my first look at the icons that attract adventure travelers from around the world: the stunning limestone monoliths. Walking around the monoliths, I felt like I was on another planet! It really is amazing to think that Mother Nature has spent thousands of years sculpting these beautiful shapes with her erosive chisel.

From the monolith gardens, we headed over to Île aux Perroquets—or Parrot Island—a tiny island with a storied history that serves as a gateway to the western arm of the Mingan Archipelago. Perhaps one of the coolest things about this island was the birds that were everywhere. And not just any birds, but birds you don't really find many places in the world…puffins! While we paddled along the coast the puffins would dive from their nests high up on the cliffs and bomb past us in our sea kayaks. It was an unforgettable experience.

When it comes to sea kayaking, I've always loved paddling exposed coastlines with rough water and surf, and there's nothing I enjoy more than picking my way through a rock garden, or a maze of mangroves. Now, however, I can add a new favorite activity to my list: monolith paddling. It's pretty awesome to weave your way through the carved limestone towers, exploring through shallow and narrow channels, and getting into places that would be virtually impossible to reach in any other way.

Of course, as my time with Jane-Anne Cormier of Les Vagues reminded me, there's lots of different ways to experience the magic of paddling. Jane-Anne and I explored one of the many rivers that drops into the Gulf of the Saint Lawrence by stand up paddleboard. As we paddled down the coast, it became obvious why Jane-Anne returned to Côte-Nord after ten years living in Montreal–the rugged coastline and lush forest here provides the perfect backdrop for exploring on a paddleboard.

On our final day, as I struggled with the idea of having to leave, my spirits are lifted as I got to meet up with Jean-Francois again. We decided to take our sea kayaks to the rapids that are found only a few hundred yards from the Noryak base, where the Romaine River drops into the Saint Lawrence. I really can't think of a better way to end my trip to Québec's Côte-Nord than with a good, old fashioned, play session. After all, the area is without a doubt one of the world's most incredible outdoor playgrounds. I like to think of kayaks as being nothing more than toys for big kids to take advantage of the natural world.

As with any great trip, the end always comes too soon. I'm sad to leave, but incredibly thankful for the experience I've had in this wild and wonderful region known as the Côte-Nord.

Special Thanks To:

Aventure Écotourisme Québec | Tourisme Côte-Nord | Le Québec maritime

The post Sea Kayaking and Stand Up Paddling Côte-Nord, Québec appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Québec is a big place. Not only is it the biggest province in Canada, but to put it in perspective, it's almost three times the size of France or the state of Texas. On top of this, Québec is blessed with a whopping 3% of the world's fresh water, has more than half a million lakes, and has one of the world's largest rivers flowing through its interior—the St. Lawrence River.

On the southern shore of the St. Lawrence River, where its fresh water meets the saltwater of the Atlantic, you'll find the Bas-Saint-Laurent region of Québec. It's a place that many people drive through on their way to Gaspésie without even knowing what they're missing. What they're missing, is a gorgeous landscape with beautiful coastal and rural villages, a stunning coastline and spectacular wilderness.

My first stop in the region is probably the most obvious stop for anyone that knows the area–Bic National Park. At only 13 square miles in size, Bic is one of the smaller national parks you'll find, but what it lacks in size, it definitely makes up for with its visual impact. Although hiking is the most popular way to explore the area, sea kayaking is recognized as the best way to see the place. I met up with Bernard Dugas of Aventures Archipel, who's been kayaking and guiding in these waters for as long as anyone.

It's easy to see why Bic National Park is one of the top destinations for visitors to the region. The terrain is dramatic and varied, and even with the strong winds we faced while there, it was easy to find sheltered areas among the islands and cliffs. This would be a pretty great place to get your feet wet for a first kayaking experience.

It was hard to leave Bic National Park behind because this is the type of coastline that can keep you captivated for days, but our adventure in Bas-Saint-Laurent had only just begun. Only a couple of hours away was another national park: Lake Témiscouata National Park. It’s a big change from the coastal nature of Bic National Park, as Lake Témiscouata National Park is found inland of the St. Lawrence and stretches along one of the most beautiful and largest lakes in the region, Lake Témiscouata.

Although the pristine wilderness landscape was spectacular on its own, learning more about the rich cultural history of the area (there is evidence of human occupation dating back more than 9000 years here!) and seeing the bald eagles that the park is known for is what really stood out. The park is the perfect habitat for bald eagles, with high trees and big, fishy lakes. Being able to paddle within a respectable distance of the nests, pull up on shore and watch these birds was pretty special.

Once again, I was blown away by what I discovered on my trip to the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. My only regret is not having more time, because I know the area has so much more to offer.

Special Thanks To:

Aventure Écotourisme Québec | Sépaq | Bas-Saint-Laurent | Le Québec Maritime

The post Canoeing and Kayaking in Bas-Saint-Laurent, Québec appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Following up on our epic trip to Gaspésie, we headed to one of Québec’s hidden gems, located in the southwestern edge of the province–Abitibi-Témiscamingue. With more than 20,000 lakes and rivers and endless pristine wilderness, the region is an outdoor-lover's paradise. And it just so happens that it's only a four hour drive from my home in Ontario.

The Abitibi-Témiscamingue region stands out because of its magnificent landscapes, lush forest, and a population that is bubbling with hospitality and creativity that's a result of the mix of French, English, and Indigenous cultures that reside here. We arrive in the small town of Laniel to find a festival in full swing and, as much as I want to believe they're celebrating our arrival, the event is marking something of actual importance: the opening of Québec’s newest park—Opémican National Park. From everything I've heard, it's an honor well-deserved. The passion displayed by the locals for the near-boundless outdoors that is found, literally, at their doorstep is contagious. Desiring to explore the area and learn firsthand what makes this place so special, I met up with Ambroise Lycke, from Sépaq. Ambroise offered to show me the Inuksuk Trail, one of the many recently completed hiking trails that are found in the park, before hitting the water.

After my hike with Ambroise, I gathered my paddling gear and met up with France Lemire, who has spent the last two years surveying the territory. Her unique knowledge of the area proved incredibly helpful when navigating the innumerable islands on Lake Kipawa.

There are lots of reasons why I love paddling so much. You can get into places that are otherwise inaccessible. You can discover unique perspectives of the land. And the direct connection you have with the water through your boat and your paddle is a very intimate connection. Whatever aspect of an environment captures your imagination, whatever little piece of your surroundings you want to experience in greater detail, it's all just a few paddle strokes away. So in my mind, there really isn't a better way to explore our natural world than with the agility of a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. And I'm certainly not alone in that feeling.

Within a few kilometers of where we France and I paddled, hundreds of like-minded paddlers had descended on the Kipawa River for the annual Kipawa River Festival.

For almost 20 years I've wanted to run the Kipawa River, and so dropping into the first rapid was exciting for a variety of reasons. The water is big, powerful, and pushy! The kind of whitewater that really forces you to work with the incredible power of Mother Nature because working against it will get you nowhere. I honestly think that this is one of the best lessons that the river has taught me over the years, because the go-with-the-flow idea is something that can be applied for the betterment of everyday life.

My motivations for whitewater paddling have changed over my 30 years of experience, but one of the reasons I've always loved hitting the river is because it's such a good way to spend quality time with friends and family. It’s also a great way to meet new and interesting people who share similar values. While the whitewater of the Kipawa River lived up to the high expectations that I had for it, what I'll remember most about my time on the water here is how it brought together such a passionate group of people. And how lucky I felt for being a part of it.

Even though I've had an amazing time here, I've learning that Abitibi-Témiscamingue is a huge playground for outdoor activities and a few days simply isn't enough to do it justice. I've barely scratched the surface here–there's so much more to explore.

Special Thanks To:

Aventure Écotourisme Québec | Tourisme Abitibi-Témiscamingue

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