These kayakers are paddling 250 kilometres to raise money for disadvantaged kids in Montreal
A journey of more than 250 kilometres began with a single paddle on Thursday as a group of kayakers began a trek down the St. Lawrence River to raise money for charity.
“It's an endurance event, so everybody is going to have to go a little beyond their limit,” said Mathieu Fortier.
Fortier is the co-founder of Jeunes Musiciens du Monde, a Montreal-based program that helps teach music to 1,500 disadvantaged children. The four-day kayaking voyage is a means of fundraising for the organization.
Julie Branchaud, a first-time kayaker, said she was aware of the challenge ahead of her.
“We're going to be tired, paddling for four days,” she said. “We're going to have fun and basically, we're there for the kids.”
While the first stretch is made easier by going with the current, there are some tough waters ahead, particularly a stretch on Lac St-Pierre where the flow peters out.
“There's very little current, you can see the Laviolette Bridge far in the horizon, it doesn't grow bigger very fast,” said Fortier.
The kayakers will camp in public parks, though this year, some extreme heat poses a hazard.
“With the weather, we don't know if our bodies can support that,” said Branchaud.
It's the seventh year for the event and so far, the group has raised more than $300,000.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.