Paddling the World’s Largest Group Kayak Ride: The Défi kayak Desgagnés
Adventure writer and paddler Lydiane Autour du Monde takes us inside the world’s largest group kayak ride, the Défi kayak Desgagnés. From Montréal to Québec City, she joined more than 175 paddlers on a four-day, 250-kilometer journey down the mighty Saint Lawrence River. Behind the event is a cause carried by music, with every stroke supporting Jeunes musiciens du monde, an organization that empowers young people through the free learning of music.
From August 7 to 10, 2025, I had the privilege of joining the Défi kayak Desgagnés, the largest group kayak ride in the world. Over four days, more than 175 paddlers journeyed 250 kilometers on the majestic Saint Lawrence River, launching from Montréal and arriving in Québec City. Put together, every paddle stroke amounted to the equivalent of circling the Earth one and a quarter times.
What makes this event truly unique is the perfect balance it strikes between challenge and support. Each day, participants spend eight to nine hours on the water, pushing their limits while discovering the beauty of the river. At night, some camp under the stars along the riverbanks, while others opt for the comfort of nearby hotels.
Behind the scenes, a dedicated team manages the logistics: transporting luggage, ensuring safety with professional guides and escort boats, and preparing hearty meals. With everything taken care of, paddlers can focus on paddling, connecting with others, and enjoying the journey.
Spending long days on the water is more than a physical challenge; it is a deeply human adventure. Conversations flow as naturally as the river, punctuated by laughter and carried by the intense effort. The Défi often feels like a giant summer camp for adults, where solidarity grows with every stroke.
At its core, the event is carried by the synergy of the group. While it embodies a true exercise in self-transcendence, it is above all a collective achievement, whose success depends on the strength, encouragement, and commitment of every single kayaker. Together, we discover that mutual support carries us further than we ever imagined.
The Cause Behind the Challenge
The Défi kayak Desgagnés is organized by Jeunes musiciens du monde (Young Musicians of the World). More than a sporting event, it supports a fundamental cause: the well-being of tomorrow’s adults. Young Musicians of the World works with young people from at-risk communities, guiding them toward the acquisition of essential life skills, greater self-confidence, and a positive outlook on the future, all through the free learning of music. Music becomes more than an art: it is a lever for resilience, self-discovery, and empowerment.
Since its creation in 2014, the Défi has raised more than 3 million dollars, funding over 100,000 hours of free music lessons for thousands of young people. Today, Jeunes musiciens du monde operates in eight regions across Québec. Long before its official founding in 2003, its creators, Mathieu Fortier and Agathe Meurisse-Fortier, opened their first school in India, where young people could broaden their horizons through the study of traditional cultural disciplines. Their desire to offer the same opportunities at home led them to establish the organization in Québec, where more than 1,600 children and teenagers now unlock their potential through music.
My takeaway
This was my fifth full participation, and yet the emotion never fades. Each year, the Défi kayak Desgagnés reminds me that when we unite around a cause that truly matters, we are capable of going further together than we ever thought possible
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Words: Lydiane – Autour du Monde (Instagram or Facebook)
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