Montreal, April 24, 2018 -
Quebec sailing is pleased to announce that the Federation is finalist for the Sport Federation of the year 2017, at Sport Quebec’s Gala, as well as René Dallaire, who is finalist for the action bénévole nationale Dollard-Morin Award. All the winners will be revealed at Sport Quebec’s Gala on Thursday, May 10th at the Sheraton Hotel in Laval.
Baseball Quebec and Judo Quebec are the other two finalists for this award. We invite you to click on the video above and to show your support by commenting or sharing it:
- Mobile Sailing
2017 was one of the best years for the Quebec Sailing Federation, especially with the Mobile Sailing program which has allowed more than a hundred children and adults to be introduced to sailing. The program has reached out to thousands of people through a dozen visited cities in 6 different regions of Quebec. The development of a Sailing School in Valleyfield and the creation of a Sailing Club in Thetford Mines for 2018 were certainly highlights of the program for this year!
- Sailing at School
The launch of Sailing at School program, in September, has already been a success in attracting the interest of more than 10 secondary and primary schools. This program will allow thousands of youths to be introduced to sailing during their school activities as of this spring. Various didactic modules adapted to the school curriculum have been and continue to be developed for use in classroom for teachers.
- Sailing Fair, trainings & others
Various elements that have been developed within the Federation permitted the success this year, especially with the Sailing Fair that continues to grow each year, the increased visibility of sailing with the sailing simulator at promotional events, the establishment of new national and international level training offered in French for the first time, an important media presence, instructors trained throughout Quebec, and an increase in the number of services for our members. In addition to the promotion and training, competitively, the Federation also stood in 2017 with athletes who performed at the Canada Games, but also internationally!
René Dallaire, finalist for the action bénévole nationale Dollard-Morin:
This award is given to a person who has made an exceptional volunteer contribution to the promotion and development of a sport during the year. René is a volunteer director and also the founder of the Association Québécoise de Voile Adaptée (AQVA). Passionate about sailing, René is no doubt the person who has aided in developing adapted sailing in Quebec. 2017 was an award year for René since he received the Quebec National Order, the highest distinction in Quebec from the Premier Minister, Philippe Couillard, for his volunteer involvement both in the sailing world and other circles. He also won the Volunteer of the Year award from Sail Canada. Finally, in 2017, more than 200 people have benefited from the programs of the Association Québécoise de Voile Adaptée, both recreational and competitive sailing.
Congrats to all!
French version only
Montréal, le 29 mars 2018 - Au mois de juillet 2018, vous étiez des milliers à visiter les immenses et magnifiques voiliers à Québec dans le cadre du RDV2017. Mais outre la splendeur de ces bateaux, c’est aussi plusieurs membres d’équipages qui participaient à cette traversée. Catheryne Langford, Québécoise de souche, fait partie de ces matelots qui ont tout lâché pour vivre l'expérience.
Âgée de seulement 24 ans, Catheryne nous raconte avec enthousiasme son aventure à bord du Blue Clipper, un trois-mâts de 43m. Partie d
e Londres en avril dernier, la jeune navigatrice en herbe aura parcouru près de 10 000 miles nautiques, effectué deux transatlantiques, et traversé 6 pays, avant d’arriver à destination au Havre, en France, cinq mois plus tard.
Originaire des Îles de la Madeleine, Catheryne peut être fière de son parcours, elle qui n’avait jamais navigué auparavant. « Avant cette aventure je n’avais jamais embarqué sur un voilier, c’était ma première fois ! Mais j’ai toujours su que c’était fait pour moi, sans même savoir ce que cela impliquait réellement. »
À l’automne 2016, alors qu’elle débutait une maîtrise en gestion du développement international et de l’action humanitaire à l’Université de Laval, Catheryne entend parler du RDV 2017 et là, c’est le déclic ! « J’ai tout de suite su qu’il fallait que j’y participe, l’appel se faisait de plus en plus fort et je devais tout faire en mon pouvoir pour y participer. »
Catheryne pensive à la barre © Allan Bernard
Malgré sa faible expérience en navigation et les 15 000 $ qu’il fallait débourser pour participer à la course, Catheryne ne s’est pas démoralisée, bien au contraire ! Elle met en place une levée de fonds et tente par tous les moyens de convaincre le plus d’organisations possible, et ça marche ! Grâce à sa détermination et son ambition, elle est au départ, le 16 avril 2017, d’une course mythique qui changera sa vie.
Durant son expédition, Catheryne aura voyagé sur deux voiliers. Le premier fut le Blue Clipper, construit en 1991 et provenant du Royaume-Uni. Elle passa 3 mois et demi à bord en tant qu’apprentie matelot et découvrit ses tâches. « Je devais participer aux tâches quotidiennes, telles que hisser et descendre les voiles, nettoyer le pont, faire des réparations de l’équipement […] j’avais tout à apprendre et on me formait petit à petit pour devenir matelot. » Seule Québécoise et Canadienne à bord, elle se trouvait principalement avec des équipiers anglophones. « Mon anglais était loin d’être parfait et l’adaptation à la langue fut une de mes premières difficultés. »
Équipiers et matelots se côtoient, se relaient au travail et des liens se créent avec les beaux souvenirs. Le travail fait partie du quotidien, mais la splendeur des paysages est aussi bien présente. « Une nuit, en direction des Îles des Canaries, un ciel étoilé comme jamais avec une température agréable, nous sommes cinq sur le pont et je suis à la barre. Un sentiment de liberté…C’était magique… »
Catheryne prend ses marques au fil du voyage et sans s’en rendre compte, Boston est à porter de vue. Port d’attache où la jeune femme devra changer de voiliers pour continuer l’aventure jusqu’à Québec à bord d’Atyla. « Ce fut un des moments les plus difficiles de changer de bateau. Lorsque tu passes trois mois et demi avec les mêmes personnes, tu finis par créer des liens, c’est plus que des simples matelots, ce sont ma famille, mes amis, c’est chez moi. »
Après quelques jours d’adaptation, la vie sur l’Atyla fut aussi belle que celle sur le Blue Clipper. Et puis il y eut l’arrivée aux îles de la Madeleine, ses îles, sa Terre natale. « Je retrouvais mes amis, ma famille et toute la communauté de l’île, toutes ces personnes qui m’ont permis de réaliser mon rêve. Je me sentais vraiment comme une star avec l’affût des médias qui voulait en savoir plus sur mon histoire »
À peine le pied à terre, Catheryne profita de ses proches et voulu repartir en mer. Sa deuxième transatlantique débuta au départ d’Halifax. Elle retrouva son voilier Blue Clipper, mais cette fois en tant que membre de l’équipage. Son nouveau rôle était d’être la cuisinière pour 24 personnes, avec de belles anecdotes. « Nous avons eu plusieurs fois des vents forts, et en cuisine c’était complètement fou. Des saucisses et des chorizos qui s’envolent et finissent sur le plancher…Au moins on a beaucoup ri ! »
Le Blue Clipper, le fameux voilier de Catheryne
© Allan Bernard
La course des Grands Voiliers Sail Training International s'est terminée au Havre, en France et le voilier Blue Clipper fut dans les premiers bateaux à arriver !
Pour Catheryne ce fut une expérience exceptionnelle qui a changé sa vie. «Je pense que je n’ai jamais été aussi heureuse, je n’arrive même plus à quitter le bateau.»
Son énergie, sa détermination, son ambition lui auront permis de réaliser son rêve.
Vous pouvez suivre en détail le parcours de Catheryne sur le groupe Facebook Cap sur l'Arctique.
Montreal, March 15, 2022 – The Montreal Outdoor Adventure Show will take place on March 26 and 27 at the Palais des Congrès. Come join us at the Quebec Sailing Federation kiosk to learn about the best places to discover and learn about sailing or simply to exchange ideas about your sailing projects.
The Quebec Sailing Federation has, among other things, a goal to animate and organize the provincial network of clubs and schools that welcome and train the public. The FVQ kiosk at the Outdoor Adventure Show is there to inform you about the best offers that respond to your needs.
Fun for all ages
Youngsters will be able to try sailing without getting wet. Under the supervision of a certified sailing instructor, the sailing simulator from the Lachine Sailing School allows your children to discover the sailing experience on board a dinghy.
Meet, get informed, dream
The Outdoor Show is a great time to meet. Numerous representatives will be onsite to help you. Which club, what support, what training or when ...? The subjects are numerous so come see us and we will find you the best answers possible. Organized as a space for information and to meet, the FVQ kiosk is a must-see stop for the novice or the more experienced sailor.
FVQ Kiosk 1017, at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal.
Click here to download a $2 savings coupon for your entry ticket.
Montreal, March 28, 2018 – The Montreal Outdoor Adventure Show will take place on April 7th and 8th at the Palais des Congrès. Come join us at the Quebec Sailing Federation kiosk to learn about the best places to discover and learn about sailing or simply to exchange ideas about your sailing projects.
The Quebec Sailing Federation has, among other things, a goal to animate and organize the provincial network of clubs and schools that welcome and train the public. The FVQ kiosk at the Outdoor Adventure Show is there to inform you about the best offers that respond to your needs.
Fun for all ages
Youngsters will be able to try sailing without getting wet. Under the supervision of a certified sailing instructor, the sailing simulator from the Lachine Sailing School allows your children to discover the sailing experience on board a dinghy.
For the older crowd, you can test your sailing knowledge against our sailing quiz and have a chance to win a sailing course from one of the many sailing clubs in Quebec.
Meet, get informed, dream
The Outdoor Show is a great time to meet. Numerous representatives will be onsite to help you. Which club, what support, what training or when ...? The subjects are numerous so come see us and we will find you the best answers possible. Organized as a space for information and to meet, the FVQ kiosk is a must-see stop for the novice or the more experienced sailor.
FVQ Kiosk 1423, at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal.
Click here to download a $3 savings coupon for your entry ticket.
Montreal, February 19, 2018 - It is with great pride that the Quebec Sailing Federation announces that it’s a recipient of the merit of Recreational event of the year given by Sail Canada for the Mobile Sailing program. This merit pays tribute an organization or person who contributed to the promotion of recreational sailing in Canada!
Our goal is to democratize sailing and to enable people to discover the sport of sailing all over Quebec, from this idea was born the Mobile Sailing program. In the summer of 2016, the Mobile Sailing program was launched thanks to the generosity of our donators and sponsors. And since two seasons, Mobile Sailing is:
- Thousands of people joined by the program
- Hundreds of initiation to sailing done for young and older
- More than 10 regions visited
- An unparalleled media presence
- More than 7000 km traveled
- A colorful trailer that catches the eye
- An excellent program for promotion and democratization of sailing
For its second year of activities, the Mobile Sailing program has attracted and become a must, even more today by receiving this award from the national authority.
Discover Mobile Sailing within our video:
For more information: http://bit.ly/1UstMut
In addition to this award, the Federation is proud to announce that Sail Canada has awarded two other awards to the Quebec scene!
Ecovoile Baie-des-Chaleurs wins the William Abbott Sr. Trophy; Sail Training Program of the Year
After winning the 2017 Club/School of the Year award from the Quebec Sailing Federation, and for their 10th anniversary, Ecovoile Baie-des-Chaleurs shows its professionalism nationally! Ecovoile is a beautiful water plan, passionate instructors, hundreds of young initiates and most of all, a desire to discover sailing to all! We will highlight their Voile Mobile program which promotes sailing in Gaspésie, their annual Ecovoile Desjardins Regatta, as well as their specialized training for people with disabilities.
Congrats to Ecovoile Baie-des-Chaleurs!
Discover the school.
René Dallaire wins the trophy Volvo Car Volunteer of the Year
René is a volunteer director and also the founder of the Association Québécoise de Voile Adaptée. Passionate about sailing, René is no do
ubt the person who has allowed developing adapted sailing in Quebec. 2017 was an award year for René since he received the Quebec National Order, the highest distinction in Quebec from the Premier Minister, Philippe Couillard, for his volunteer involvement both in the sailing world and others circles. In March 2018, he will receive the Sail Canada award for the Volunteer of the Year!
Discover the AQVA.
These awards will be presented at the annual Rolex Awards of Sail Canada Navigator of the Year, March 2nd, in Toronto.
To see the full list of Sail Canada Laureates, click here.
Congrats to all the winners!!
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