A short guide to river activities in Mont-Tremblant
In the summer, the wonderful Mont Tremblant region offers a multitude of outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking and fishing. In the heat of summer, a refreshing experience such as kayaking, canoeing and SUP paddle boarding are also great options for a day out with your partner or family. To help you make an informed choice from the many possibilities, we offer this short guide to start your summer on the right foot.
How do you choose your river and how do you prepare for the circumstances?
Many rivers in Quebec are navigable. However, it is important to find out about certain characteristics of the river, such as the presence of rapids or waterfalls, as well as their location before venturing out.
Secondly, because of the dangers associated with water, preparation is required before this trip. It is important to be well informed about the equipment required for the planned activity. In Quebec, as soon as you go out on the water in a boat (such as a canoe, kayak or paddleboard), you must wear a flotation jacket. A 15m rope is also required if the boat is an enclosed craft (such as a river kayak with a skirt). We also advise you to bring sunscreen and insect repellent so that you can apply it if necessary. Following these tips will help you avoid any problems on the river. At Rouge and Diable, we take care of all this so that you only have to put on your swimming costume and get on one of our boats for a day of fun on the Diable River or the Rouge River !
How do you go kayaking or canoeing?
The kayak and the canoe have many things in common, but also some differences. The paddle of a kayak has two blades that are connected by a handle, whereas the paddle of a canoe has only one.
The kayak is a watercraft that can be used by one (1) or two (2) people. Single kayaks are the easiest to control as you only need to paddle alternately on each side (one stroke to the right and one stroke to the left) to move forward. The way to paddle a double kayak is the same as for a single kayak, but the way to steer it is more like a canoe. This is because both users have to paddle at the same time and the person behind has more control over the boat.
The canoe is a boat that can carry 2 or 3 passengers, but is less stable than a kayak. While the procedure for moving forward is the same as in a double kayak, since the paddle has only one blade, each user must paddle on their own.
How to paddleboard (SUP)?
Paddle boarding, also known as SUP or paddle boarding, is an increasingly popular activity. This activity requires a certain stability as the user stands on the board. For these reasons, we suggest a few ways to start paddle boarding. To begin with, one can do SUP on one's knees to become familiar with the board. As our centre of gravity is lower, the risk of capsizing is greatly reduced. Then, once confidence is established, you can move into a standing position to paddle. During the whole process, it is important to always keep your life jacket on, as the risk of falling in the water is higher when you are a beginner. With these tips, you'll be ready to try paddleboarding with us at Diable River !
*If you find inflatable paddle boards unstable, ours are a great alternative.
With this little guide, the Rouge and Diable team will be happy to welcome you to live a most unforgettable experience whether as a couple, a family or with friends.
The team Rouge and Diable
