FESTIRAME: A unique 42 km row for any rowers who want to challenge themselves.

By Jennifer Parfitt

On my recent visit to Alma Quebec I had not only the pleasure of visiting the Alma Rowing Club but also being a spectator at the amazing 42km race across Lac St Jean as part of the Festrame festival.I have never seen a rowing event quite like this in Canada. Rowers traverse over the 42 km racecourse in singles, doubles, or the Quebec boat called chaloupes. This years festival organizers also included an exhibition race for both sea kayaks and racing kayaks alike.
The 42 km event began over 30 years ago in Alma when police officers arranged to race each other across the coastal-like waters of Lac St Jean in fixed seat “doubles” or chaloupes.  Three years ago, Michel Tremblay, president of Alma Rowing Club asked if slide seat rowing shells could be introduced into this event and the rest is history. As an interesting aside, the chaloupes now have sliding seats too!

This year there were over 24 entries, 5 of which were chalouopes.  The race reminded me of the same energy that surrounds a marathon.  People were there to challenge themselves, get their personal best, or simply complete this long trek.  There were definitely the competitive athletes there as well, and with prize money as high as $5000.00 for some of the first place finishes, you can see why some are there to win!

Items I never would have considered for a regatta (even a head race) were prevalent everywhere.  Crews had small baskets duct taped into their boats that housed bits of power bars or oranges….I guess if you are rowing anywhere from 3 and a half hours to five hours, you need some sustenance along the way!

Practically every competitor wore a camel back filled full with water along with extra sports drinks in the boat. I even saw one particpant with "IV" like bladders...no needle or "drip system" that I could see but I am sure he had a system worked out.  Bow numbers were on the stern…again duct taped to ensure any rogue wave wouldn’t knock it off.

Majority of the boats used were Alden singles or doubles (outside of the chaloupes).  One couple in particular brought their Hudson T-7 2x.  With a homemade cover for the bows and sterns (that included a splash guard) this double handled beautifully through the open water conditions on Lac St Jean.  Hopefully we can get more T-7’s to this event in the future.

The atmosphere at the finish line was lively.  Crowds lined the beach, some supporters of the rowers, others simply there enjoying a day at the beach.  Everyone cheered for those coming into the finish and between the rocking music being played and excellent MC, there was plenty encouragement for those running out of steam. 

The best thing about this race is the end!  First, is the enthusiastic greeting participants get from the organizing committee co-chair.  Everyone is congratulated and kissed on each cheek once they reach the beach and stumble out of their boat.  Then, if media is not cornering finishers for an interview or pictures, participants are handed a package full of food including fruit, local cheese cookies and more.

Rowers are then directed over the massage tent where eight masseuses are set up to take away the pain of the 42km row!  In the meantime, someone else rows your boat across the bay to a trailer waiting to take it back to the rowing club (unless of course you brought your own boat).Winners receive money prizes, medals and bottle of champagne, which is shaken hard and released over anyone within spraying distance. A final dinner wraps up the event where you can bring your own wine and enjoy an evening of fun with all the participants, supporters and trophies!

I would highly recommend this event to anyone looking to test their endurance, challenge themselves or simply wanting to prove that they can row 42 km straight.  Currently there are entries for women’s and men’s 1x, women’s 2x and the organizers are hoping next year the men’s 2x.  If possible Rowing Canada Aviron will try and help with getting coastal equipment here or the Hudson T-11 touring quad, which should be able to handle the conditions with some slight modifications.

I was treated incredibly well at this event by the organizing committee, as were all the participants. As this is part of a 10-day festival, any entrant would have many great things to see around Alma as the entire area is beautiful should they choose to make a small holiday of it.  Here’s hoping for another year of success for traversée du Lac St-Jean!