Spreading the word
SUMMARY OF GRAND PRIX AWARD JURY COMMENTARY
Fjord en Kayak has built a solid reputation on personalized service, warm welcome, guest safety while on adventure, gastronomical quality of food, and guest care and follow-up.
Fjord en Kayak is the only kayaking firm that provides guests with the flexibility to set their own departure dates, with special attention given to families with children 3 to 14 years of age.
Safety and guide training are two of Fjord en Kayak’s trademarks.
All members of the jury were really taken with the quality of Fjord en Kayak’s presentation in the award process.
Testimonies
Angella & Jullius, Santa Cruz, California (summer 2008)
“Thanks to you all for a super trip. You have thought of everything to make it a pleasure for the voyageur: route, equipment, food, safety and staff. Well done. And to Olivier, an especial bravo for taking such good care of us, especially since we are seniors! He,s a great guide. Merci beaucoup.”
Luc, six-time visitor to Fjord en kayak
''Each time I have been on a sea kayak expedition with Fjord en kayak, I have been treated like a friend, and every effort was made to ensure that I would return home with nothing but lasting memories. Warmly hospitable and professional, the guides know the Fjord and its flora and fauna well, and do not hesitate to share their knowledge with us. To top it all, they are terrific cooks! Last but not least, however, it is the enveloping feeling of well-being and sense of security that made me encourage as many people as possible to come and share this experience with me. This is my sixth expedition and I just cannot part with the Fjord en kayak team, which is so extraordinary.
Élisabeth, 3 days/ 2 nights sea kayak excursion (summer 2008)
“I just got back from my 3-day canoeing and kayaking excursion. Those 3 days were just fantastic. Hats off to your great organization, unbeatable service and super friendly welcome! Not to mention the food...It was all simply delicious.”
Bob, fifth three-day expedition on the Saguenay Fjord
I don't like the word ''PACKAGE''! As I always say, letting others plan your vacation for you can lead to unpleasant surprises. But not with Fjord en kayak's packages! Having neither the inclination nor the time to plan my vacation, I took the risk of letting someone else do it for me and… ended up being pampered… by the Fjord, by the guides, by Sylvie and by Louis.
Fjord en kayak's greatest asset is probably its guides. They are, above all else, client oriented: safety comes first, with your comfort and enjoyment not far behind. They provide you with just the right amount of technique to make the activity pleasurable, five-star gourmet meals, and impeccable service and atmosphere. Our guide never once gave us the impression that he was working; it is as if he shared his passion for the Fjord and kayaking with new friends! Louis and Sylvie see that everything is well-organized, so that all the guides have to do is to concentrate on the clients, reservations, equipment, menus, etc. Thanks to this meticulous planning, the staff members enjoy what they do, and the clients enjoy coming back!
Press articles
Géo Plein Air, August 2008
"Paddling silently through the deep gorges and majestic fjord area of seals, natural habitat of beluga whales, cormorants and a variety of species, gives me a unique and intimate contact with the water..."
"At each cove, each bay, Louis would recant anecdotes about wildlife, geology, history, and peoples of this land he adopted." "... Louis prepares dinner. On the menu: venison steaks topped with blueberry sauce. Culinary delights complimentary to all the meals of our trip: smoked oysters, Greek salad or lentil salad, omelets with herbs, regional cheeses and a variety of sweets such as muffins and pies from the renowned Louise, acclaimed pastry chef of l'Anse Saint-Jean." "To make the adventure even more enjoyable, Louis spends time with all the members of the group to help improve their technique and chat a little. He’s been this route before and has seen all sorts, being the most experienced guide on the fjord. When the wind comes up or when the waves are more intense, he whistles a gentle tune to calm the client most nervous." "Our last day on the water is filled with exchange of memorable tales! After coming across a few seals, we are suddenly surrounded by a school of beluga whales that caught up to us in three consecutive waves.
They surround us in droves; composed of young pearl grays and bright white adults with their characteristic "smile", thrilling us up close. "Fjord by Kayak is the largest provider of long distance trips in Quebec."
Geo Plein-Air - No.1Outdoors Magazine in Quebec.
KAYAK DE MER AU QUÉBEC, Guide Ulysse 2007, p. 289.
Fjord en Kayak's philosophy may be summarized in one word: QUALITY. Then it encompasses basic notions such as safety, gastronomy, training, high skills and, of course, fun.
Ouellet, Yves, LE KAYAK DE MER AU QUÉBEC, Éditions de l'homme, 2005, p. 290.
Back in 1995, a young, idealistic couple started an outdoor activity business called Fjord en Kayak which would eventually become a reference in Quebec in the area of sea kayaking and ecotourism.
Hébert, Claudine, DESTINATION KAYAK, Magazine Affaire Plus, Juillet 2008, P. 49
As anybody who’s been sea kayaking will tell you, it’s the only way to fully experience all the majesty and excitement of Quebec’s legendary Saguenay fjord. From the moment you dip your paddle into the water at the L’Anse-Saint-Jean departure point, the Saguenay begins to work its magic on you. The adventure grows even more exciting as you approach the monumental natural setting at the mouth to the fjord...a uniquely amazing combination of plateaux, mountain escarpments and 400-metre cliffs carved out at the height of the last Ice Age.
All summer long, Fjord en Kayak offers sea kayaking experiences ranging from half-day outdoor excursions to major 5-day wilderness adventures.