Dominique Bernard

Age : 25 years old
Hometown : Quebec city
Number of years of ice canoe experience : 7th season
Position : Port rear, and any other position on occasion
Unofficial position within the team : The one who likes chips too much, the one who has a car, did I mention the one who likes chips too much?
How were you introduced to ice canoe? : After seeing my first carnival race, I knew I wanted to try out an adventure like this. I researched a bit in order to find people who had already practised ice canoe and hoped they would be willing to introduce us to the sport. So we started the canoe with Marianne and Sarah in 2011, and then had our own team the year after.
Biggest asset within the team : I like having fun and when I’m in the canoe; it all makes sense!
Field of study or work : I’ve recently completed my Bachelor’s degree in Environment and Forest Management and I have a seasonal job at the Society of Forest Protection against fire. In the summer I travel to wild and natural places with my fellow firefighters to extinguish the wildfires.
Other sporting experiences : Rugby, cross-country skiing, running and all the intense activities that I stumble upon!
What are you doing to relax : Do a sustained and demanding sports activity, the relaxation comes automatically afterwards!
Favorite food before a race : A tomato juice and Thai spicy tuna cane.
Craziest canoe experience : I had a full race with my mittens in the wrong hands and my shorts slipping upside down. I still finished it! I also inadvertently poked my paddle in Sarah’s skull during a practice, but we still finished the practice!
Favorite quote in a canoe : And UP and UP and UP.

Julia Cyr-Gagnon

Age : 26 years old
Hometown : Quebec
Number of Years of Ice Canoe Experience : 2nd Season
Position : Port rear, and tested for other positions
Unofficial position within the team : The clumsy one ?! For example : tangle my feet in my own feet. Or someone who is motivated to learn new positions in the boat!
How were you introduced to the ice canoe? : Thanks to my many friends who started canoeing well before me. My crush came alive while we were on an outing just for fun after one of their seasons. The conditions of the river were not easy despite all the experience of people aboard the boat. The return was difficult and time-consuming, but it was only by working together that we managed to get back to our destination. It’s this team work that motivated me to start canoeing.
Biggest asset in the team : The ice geographer?
Area of ​​study or work : I’ve recently completed my master’s degree in territory development. I now work in the protection of municipal drinking water sources.
Other sporting experience : Rugby, cross-country skiing, long hikes and outdoor activities of all kinds.
What do you do to relax : Nothing better than listening to a good movie or reading a book!
Favorite food before a race : A toast with peaaanut butter!
Favorite quote in a canoe : Let’s GO! There is not much left!

Anne Chabot Bergeron

Age : 26 years old
Hometown : Quebec city
Number of years of ice canoe experience : 7th season
Position : Forward port
Unofficial position within the team : Who’s always hungry?
How were you introduced to ice canoe? : Thanks to my friends and rugby teammates. They recruited me two weeks before the races due to injured canoers. I fell in love with the frozen river so much that I decided to continued after!
Biggest asset in the team : I take care of the wax before races
Field of study or work : I recently completed my Bachelor’s degree in geological engineering and I work mainly in Nunavik as an exploration geologist.
Other sporting experience : Rugby, running, cross-country skiing and hiking
What do you do to relax : Sewing and reading
Favorite food before a race : A homemade oatmeal!
Favorite quote in a boat : We’ll have it!

Sarah Boudreau Turpin

Age : 26 years old
Hometown : Quebec city
Number of years of ice canoe experience : 7th season
Position : Starboard front
Unofficial position within the team : The one who smashes the ice. The little fresh snow that harms my assessment of ice’ firmness is my worst enemy.
How were you introduced to ice canoe? : I went to see my uncle and my aunt run when I was young.
Biggest asset on the team : Leading the canoe on the ice.
Field of study or work : Nutritionist and a Master’s in management.
Other sporting experiences : Sea rowing, cross-country skiing, ultimate frisbee, dek hockey, rugby, cross-country skiing.
What do you do to relax : I listen to the radio while drinking tea in a robe.
Favorite food before a race : Oatmeal with raisins and banana.
Favorite quote in a boat : viiiteeeessseeee
Craziest canoe experience : I particularly like the listening and singing to Diam’s songs in the car en route to the races.

Marianne Biron-Hudon

Age : 26 years old
Hometown : Quebec city
Number of years of ice canoe experience : 7th season
Position : Barreuse
Unofficial position within the team : The crew’s psychoeducator?
How were you introduced to the ice canoe? : My father took us to see the Carnival race and the Grand Défi from Lévis. I never imagined that one day I would be participating to those races!
Biggest asset within the team : Enjoy being at the helm!
Field of study or work : I am a psychoeducator. I work for the protection of youth in Salluit, Nunavik.
Other sporting experience : Fat bike, hiking, cross-country skiing.
What do you do to relax : I take a cup of hot chocolate after a big day of playing outside!
Food of choice before a race : Chocolate almonds provided by my mother at the beginning of the season and in sufficient quantity so that I can share them at each race of the circuit!
Favorite quote in a canoe : It’s not over until it’s over!
Crazy canoe experience : It took me at least two months to be able to steer the boat on the water (which is long …). We made small circles on Lake St. Augustine! What is nice is that my teammates now trust me. I can do all the geometric shapes that I want now!

Emilie Legendre

Age : 27 years old
Hometown : South Shawinigan
Number of Years of Ice Canoe Experience : 2nd Season
Position : Starboard rear
Unofficial position within the team : The one who screams as soon as she’s barely close to falling or dropping her paddle. I was quickly nicknamed the raven because of my shrill cry.
How were you introduced to the ice canoe? : I was encouraged by friends during a Carnival race. I was so impressed and I thought that I too was “crazy” enough to do this sport! I was lucky to be recruited the following year by the Bota Bota team! From the first ice out, I fell in love with the intensity of this sport and the impressive landscapes.
Biggest asset in the team : Communications specialist
Field of study or work : I have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and I am director of a facility at the Center for Early Childhood.
Other sporting experiences : Dragon boat, running, yoga and downhill skiing.
What are you doing to relax : I read a book with a good latte.
Favorite food before a race : a bagel with peanut butter and cheese.
Favorite quote in a canoe : It’s beautiful girls !!!
Crazy canoe experience : The time I whistled with all my might to ask for help from other boaters who were leaving with a whistle kneeling on the frozen ice. I really believed I was taking part in the Titanic.