FestiVoile is back for another year of amazing visuals and sailboat racing

Jude Osmond

The expert sailboat racing competition is back with Grande Rivière Sailing Centre’s sailing school hosting their annual competition at the Aylmer Marina on June 13 and 14. The competition has been happening for more than 10 years, bringing together around 60 to 80 sailors aged 9 to 18, along with families, volunteers, and coaches, for a total of around 300 people each year.

The race has participants from Gatineau, as well as members from across Quebec and Ontario, with a chance to win this special race. This “Regatta” has special implications for Quebec Games, a province-wide sporting event comparable in spirit to the Canada Games and the Olympic Games, as the event serves as a qualifying regatta.

“What truly makes FestiVoile special is the atmosphere surrounding it,” said Zoya Vincent Legros, the Assistant Director of Grande-Rivière Sailing School. “The event offers a unique blend of competition, learning, community, and fun that makes the weekend memorable for athletes and visitors alike, while also showcasing the vibrant sailing community of the Outaouais region.”

FestiVoile plays an important part in the development of young sailors across the Outaouais region.

This year's edition is more meaningful than in the past because it marks the 50^th anniversary of the École de voile du Club de voile Grande-Rivière. “Honouring the sailors who came before us and celebrating the growth of the sailing school over the past five decades is deeply important to our community,” said Legros.

Watching the competition can be challenging, as it involves a lot of long-distance viewing. The sailors are in deep water, but a pair of good binoculars can help. In addition, an average camera lens can get good shots of the boats sailing on the water.  The marina will still be open to those who want to enjoy a good day and watch the competition from the beach.