Kayak Session Magazine — Fall 2017

INTERVIEW

KS: What is your family’s reaction when they see you charging?

LPR: Supportive! To be honest, some scary moments have happened in the last

year. It is a reality of our game of life: we will die anyway, someday, kayaking

or not. However, to face your wife and tell her about a close call always sucks.

The kids are now old enough to understand as well, so you can imagine how

funky discussions like this are, and they definitely make me think more, which is

maybe part of my progression.

KS: A few years ago during the first Grand Prix you were a fearless, super

keen paddler, but not always with the skills to follow your stoke. You are

now among the top paddlers on big water. How does that evolution feel?

LPR: I began kayaking eight years ago and have logged my 6th Stakeout this

year. Over the years, I have learned so much from watching others like Benny

Marr, Pat Camblin, and Joel Kowalski, that I’m now a decent freestyle kayaker.

This evolution is very important to me. It feels so great to be able to paddle at

the level of the guys I looked up to for so long. You, know, most of the Stakeout

waves are located around where I come from. I’m proud to be able to surf

them better and better every year.

KS: It is pretty cool to see the development of such a strong Quebec

paddling scene. Does this surprise you at all?

LPR: Most people see the province of Quebec as a big water only region,

but we truly have it all. That’s what I like, not just creeking, or just big wave

surfing, but all around kayaking. I think that it is important to build a complete

understanding of the sport, and all disciplines have things I look for in working

to be the best I can be, and Quebec is a great place to do this.

KS: You’ve led a pretty intense, diverse life. Are there any lessons you

have taken away from all of it?

LPR: You cannot truly value happiness if you haven’t endured sadness.

I’ve always looked at both sides of the coin. You know, I’ve won a lot of

medals but broken a lot of bones. At the age of two, I’d already broken

the same arm twice. In a year and a half, Taekwondo gave me two broken

arms, four broken toes, two concussions and torn muscles in my pelvis/hip.

Snowboarding, I broke my arm twice and my elbow, had head injuries, and

ended up in a wheelchair twice. On the flip side of the coin, pain will make

you grow if you are keen to listen. If there is anything I am scared of, it is

doing nothing with my life. Don’t let the fear of pain or failure prevent you

from trying something you want to do, or being who you are capable of

becoming.

KS: Any one out there who has helped you become you are today, or who

you are especially thankful for?

LPR: So many! My mom, my dad, Oli, Laetitica, Myriam. Rupert, Lois, Marius,

Mes chums de Dolbeau, Wally, Anne, Matteo, the Quebec Connection, Ben,

Pat, Joel...

“EVERY

BEATDOWN

IS A REBIRTH

WHEN YOU PUSH

THROUGH IT.”

Sunset fun with

the family in

the Ottawa

Valley during

a week

coaching the

OKS Keener

Program.

Cheersing a

tasty Labatt 50

in memory of

Marc Leblanc

at Molly Wave.

Photo: Thomas

Fahrun

Kickflip session

on “Clif” wave,

Black Mass

rapid, Mistassibi

River. Photo:

Benny Marr