Dragon boat racers will soon be gliding across the Saint-François Bay in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield in support of the Fondation de l’Hôpital du Suroît. The inaugural race will take place on September 18, featuring Olympic canoe-kayaker Érik Gervais and local radio host Marjorie Vallée as event spokespersons.
Dragon boat racing is a team water sport involving 10 to 20 paddlers sitting side-by-side in two rows in a long, canoe-like boat. A drummer sits facing the team at the front of the boat. This person sets the paddling rhythm using a drum or verbal cues. The coxswain sits at the rear with a long oar used like a rudder to steer the boat as it is propelled forward. For this first event, which is expected to attract around 300 participants, teams will race 200 metres before crossing the finish line.
Gervais, who is native to Valleyfield, competed at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. He started competitive canoe-kayaking at 11 years old, when he began racking up victories until a serious shoulder injury derailed his progress at the age of 18. “It took me a year and a half to come back,” he said. “I had to get back on track for the Atlanta Olympics. I faced some setbacks, but I was determined to make my dream come true,” he recalled.
Despite spending several years away from the region, Gervais’ connection to the Hôpital du Suroît is special. He was born there, as was his son in 2003. His mother also worked at the hospital for 25 years. He has stayed in touch with someone who works there who regularly talks to him about the Valleyfield-based hospital and its needs. When he first saw the announcement for the dragon boat race on social media, Gervais reached out to Pascale Nadeau, the events and communications coordinator for the hospital foundation. That is how he became involved in the project as a spokesperson.
Gervais is currently a project manager in building mechanics at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). He also works as an assistant director with the H2O Dragon Boat Club, located at the Olympic Basin in Montreal’s Parc Jean Drapeau. “I support everyone,” he jokes. He began paddling with the club in 2016 and continued until 2018, when he hung up his paddle for good and began coaching. He started at the community level before being promoted to the competitive division. He is also a national senior C coach for athletes aged 60 and older.
On September 18, a round of 30-minute introductory sessions will allow participants to get a feel for the impressive boats. “People will get out on the water to see how it works,” explained Gervais. The competition will start soon after.
Spectators will be able to watch the races from the stands in Delpha-Sauvé Park. “Valleyfield is one of my three favourite bodies of water in the world,” said Gervais. An awards ceremony and festivities will wrap up the dragon boat competition once everyone is back on dry land.