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
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Wildfires are dampening against cool, rainy weather, but there's plenty left to contain
An opportune system of cool, wet weather Friday is dampening the spread of wildfires across Western Canada, but there's still plenty of work for responders and residents alike.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.