St-Pie (Quebec)
Canada
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Its History |
The canoe's origins are probably as old as the amerindian and inuit's cultures. The first embarcations known on this classification took their origins from the amerindians. Concerning the kayak, it cames from the inuits people, which where originally from the Great Canadian North.
It's seems that back then, they had competitions between canoe against kayak and those events happened long before the arrival of the europeans on the North american soil.
In Europe, the Britains were the first to present that type of embarcations.1866
The creation of the first canoe club, under the name of «The Royal Canoe Club» of London.1892
The year of the first paddle's regate. The celebration were done in France.1931
The fondation year of the «French Canoe - Kayak Federation».1935
The first dollar made in silver from The Royal Canadian Mint manufactured on Georges V's reign. For the first time a canoe was shown on the back of the piece (to demonstrate the commerce economic strength that was brought by the canoe to the Hudson Bay). A beautiful piece of work created by the sculptor Emanuel Hahn.1936
Ever since the Berlin's Game, the Canoe - Kayak has become a part of the Olympic Games.
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The origin of «The Canotier enr.» |
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I feel so much joy and happiness
when I'm building a cedar canoe; to smell the scent of the wood and to
see it tranforming right under my hands.
From that moment in my imaginary, I can see it floating in the water of the river's bank where the atmosphere releases a sense of Peace and Serenity. In a magic harmony, I could imagine the canoe sliding gently on the water. The paddling's rhythm slowly transform itself in a gentle melody like a hymn for nature breaking the silence of the atmosphere, so peaceful. When I was 10 years old, I discovered in my father's library, a book showing the fabrication of a boat-toy. From this amazing discovery in my child's hands, life had given me this book that changed me. I was overwhelm by an incontrol desire that push me to create it, just to see it live. Page after page, the birth of this balso canoe was taking place right under my eyes. With the help of my father, I realised this dream and slowly it became a reality. Later on, my canoe with whom for many years I traveled thousand of adventures on lakes, rivers and rapids of my childhood's imaginary, was born to amaze me. Few years later, when I rediscovered this forgotten book then I understood that all those past adventures spend travelling those magic places were only dreams. Today, I would like to make you discover my passion. Perhaps,
It will give you the spirit to navigate on a canoe built with extreme care
and with the art of giving a part of myself.
Stéphane Malhiot, canotier
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