A La Mer du Nord 2025

[Glenn MacGrady]

What do you suppose is the bending form for, the one under the light on right hand side of the pic.
Thanks keeping us up on the progress.
Jim

I don't know, but right next to the big wooden form are a bunch of strips in the same general shape, which almost look like they are metal or maybe a grey color wood.

 

[Boatman53]

I those look to be bent on the form itself. I was kind of thinking a wilderness toboggan but that gentle reverse bend has me wondering.
Jim

 

[Robin]

What do you suppose is the bending form for, the one under the light on right hand side of the pic.

I’m guessing those curves on the bottom are stems and the rest will be two piece gunnels. I believe they are making 3 more canoes.

 

[Robin]

We have completed the recruitment of permanent teammates for the Northern Mer brigade. It's been quite an adventure. 150 applications received, human beings from all walks of life with interesting and diverse profiles... Interviews allowed us to meet fascinating people; difficult choices were also made. We would have loved to build more boats and take everyone with us!

In the end, we are very proud of the composition of the brigade: we can talk about a "thunder team". We present it to you this week. Stay on the lookout!

 

[yknpdlr]

We have completed the recruitment of permanent teammates for the Northern Mer brigade. It's been quite an adventure. 150 applications received, human beings from all walks of life with interesting and diverse profiles... Interviews allowed us to meet fascinating people; difficult choices were also made. We would have loved to build more boats and take everyone with us!


In the end, we are very proud of the composition of the brigade: we can talk about a "thunder team". We present it to you this week. Stay on the lookout!

I wish I had seen the application for this expedition. i may well have applied to join.

 

[ppine]

Tres bon.

 

[Robin]

Introducing the brigade:

William Landry-Côté, of Sherbrooke

Guillaume has been a paramedic for seven years, accustomed to environments where every decision matters. Adventurer at heart and thrill seeker, he spends most of his free time outdoors, whether it is snowboarding, mountain biking or canoeing, he is always looking for new challenges. Curious and eager to understand the world, he has a passion for geography and history, which has naturally led him to undertake university studies in risk and disaster management. With his sense of humor and ability to easily connect with others, he knows how to create a good atmosphere in any group.

 

[Robin]

Presentation of the brigade: Madeleine Huard, from Quebec

At 22, Madeleine may be the youngest on the team, but she's certainly not the quietest. Animator for 5 years in outdoor holiday camps, specialized respite camps and scout groups, Madeleine is passionate about adventure and tries to pass it on in every way possible. A student at Laval University, she is currently completing a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy to pursue a master's degree in philosophy next year.

 

[Robin]

Father and son duo, Stacy Bossum and Francis Kurtness-Bossum will be the first Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation members to take part in the North Sea expedition. They join the brigade on the Saguenay fjord, from Tadoussac to Chicoutimi.

Practicing ilnu aitun (traditional activities) in the territory is essential and natural to Stacy. Having grown up close to his grandparents, they were the ones who passed on to him the unknown values with their stories of life in the territory. Having always worked in the cultural field of in his community, he had the privilege to be with many cultural bearers who have passed on their knowledge and respect for Nitassinan (the unknown territory). Together with Stéphane Germain, he initiated the Nashapeuiapukun project in 2006, which consisted of the re-descending of the ancestral highways, namely the different rivers of the Pekuakami. The activity is still organized every summer by Pekuakamiulnuatsh Takuhikan.

As for Francis, now 21 years old, he is a student at Kiuna College, the only indigenous cegep in the province. As soon as a leave allows him, he returns to the territory to join his parents.

 

[Robin]

Today, FRIDAY, May 30, is the launch of the expedition To the North Sea in Formula 5 to 7 at Hotel Tadoussac. Come and meet the brigade, finally reunited in Tadoussac! On the program: presentation of the project, speeches from our partners and projection of photos of the expedition Kanobec 84, another expedition on the Route des Furrures completed 41 years ago. Team Kanobec will be present! After 5 to 7, the evening continues in songs with the famous Eric Cyr at the Hotel bar.

The great departure of the expedition will take place this Saturday, May 31, despite the forecasted torrential rain. Wind forecasts are mild despite the showers. Adventure is indeed an Adventure! Some going away party activities will be moved to an indoor venue (look for the update Saturday morning). For boat christening, grand departure and water procession, put on your raincoats and come brave the weather with us, the rain never stopped the wood runners!

 

[Robin]

The brigade left Tadoussac yesterday with the support of an incredible crowd.
In about two and a half months, the rowing boats will arrive in Waskaganish after weeks of rough sailing and carrying.

This great adventure will allow you to trace the Route of Furrures, a landmark road of historical immortal unknown sites, cries and attikamekws. It was also traversed by loggers, explorers, missionaries and prospectors who left written tracks of their adventures and built trading posts.

Thank you all for braving the rain and attending the departure full of emotions, febrility and excitement.

Thank you to all our sponsors and partners, without whom this adventure would not have been possible.

Thanks to our main partners, the Ministry of Culture et Communications Québec via its project call for support of commemoration initiatives and the Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs

Thank you to the Royal Geographic Society of Canada - Royal Canadian Geographical Society - for the financial support and the title of Expedition of the Year;

Thanks to Connec Outdoors for outfitting the rowers in style and protecting them from the weather with their quality outdoor apparel;

Thanks to DU NORD for allowing the brigade to eat good, hot meals made in Quebec every evening of the adventure;

Thanks to Société des traversiers du Québec for supporting the project and for being a partner of the Departure Party. The event could not have been this amazing without your support;

Thanks to Telloc for allowing the brigade to leave safely with telecommunications devices and filming equipment;

Thanks to Société d'histoire de la Baie-James for supporting the project since the beginning, to Cégep de St-Félicien for its support and to MRC Domaine-du-Roy for the historical capsules that will follow during the expedition;

Thanks to Reddington, RIO PRODUCTS and fishpond for the fishing tackle that will keep boaters eating some good fresh fish over the coming weeks;

Thanks Sirius Med for keeping boaters safe.

Thanks to the Councils of Ilnus of Mashteuiatsh for their participation and support;

Thanks Recreational Barrel Works for the tote bags;

Thanks to Canots Rhéaume for the aprons;

Thank you Hôtel Tadoussac for having us so well for the launch cocktail;

Thanks to Tadoussac Autrement DRUIDE Ville de Saint-Félicien , G2T - Guillaume Therrien Transport Centre villégiature Marina Chibougamau . UQAC - Université du Québec à Chicoutimi Henri Nutrition

Thanks to Parc marin du Saguenay-Saint-Laurent for presenting a kiosk at the Departure Party and to Conseil de la Première Nation des Innus Essipit for the miniature canoe making workshop.

Thank you a million times for making this great adventure possible rendre

 

[Robin]

Posted yesterday-Hi, this is the squad! We arrived last night in L'ANSE-ST-JEAN, welcomed by a flaming show of the Northern Lights. We will be at the Anse campsite this afternoon and tonight (Tuesday, June 3) to host a mediation stopover! Come and meet us from 15:00 to learn all about our adventure, test the old-fashioned carry and see our beautiful Tremblay canoes! We're here for the evening, so it ends around the fire with stories and songs!

 

[Robin]

Departure from Tadoussac in the rain but full of the courage passed on by our loved ones, we arrived in Chicoutimi on Sunday, June 8, after 9 days! We completed two sails per day, using the reversing of the high tide current to progress. So it was usually about getting up with the sun, about 4.30am, moving west, then letting the tide down resting in a year, and heading back for an evening sail until sunset. There is no use fighting the fjord: you have to work with it and respect its will. He actually showed us his full power on our second day of sailing as strong westerly winds made us stationary rafting and dancing on the waves! Our longest day of canoeing: 40 km!

Great meetings took place with the people of Anse-Saint-Jean and Sainte-Rose-du-Nord during our days of mediation stops. We even got to sleep in a building on the Nouvelle-France site in St-Félix d'Otis, where we also met over a hundred students from primary and secondary schools in St-Felix and Alma.

The brigade is getting stronger, stronger and stronger. The presence of Stacy Bossum, Mashteuiatsh, and her son Francis Kurtness-Bossum, for this sailing section, was extremely valuable. Tshinishkumitin, Stacy and Francis. In other words, we have good news to announce... tomorrow!