Cross-Canada Paddlers Rely on Kokatat Gear

April 19, 2017

Young canoeists starting on St. Lawrence River and heading west

ARCATA, California – A pair of 19-year-old canoeists set off from Quebec City this week, embarking on a 4,500-mile paddle across Canada. Kokatat, the paddling industry’s leading manufacturer of technical apparel, has the responsibility of ensuring the pair is outfitted with the driest, most advanced outerwear available.

On their Cross-Canada trip, Pascal Bredin and Constant La France plan to mimic the traditions of famous explorers who paddled across Canada centuries ago – fishing for food, sleeping in wool blankets and warming themselves by campfire. Unlike the traders and explores of old, however, the pair will be using the latest in paddling gear, including Kokatat’s GORE-TEX® Radius Dry Suit and Kokatat PFDs.

The expedition, called La Remontée des Sources, which translates into “Going up the Sources” from French, will begin in Quebec City when the ice melts on the St. Lawrence River and conclude in the Northwest Territories when the ice begins to cover the McKenzie River. In total, the 4,500-mile trip will require more than 135 portages in 180 days.

The goal of the two young paddlers is to connect with nature. They are also raising money and awareness for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS). Every week, they will be posting Facebook updates with nature shots and things they learned, at La Remontee des Sources.

For more information about La Remontée des Sources, visit https://laremonteedessourcesen.wordpress.com/ .

To learn more about other expeditions that rely on Kokatat gear visit www.kokatat.com/expeditions.

About Kokatat Inc.

Kokatat has been manufacturing paddling gear in Arcata, California for over 45 years. At a time when many technical apparel brands were moving manufacturing offshore, Kokatat continued to invest in infrastructure in the United States. Kokatat founder Steve O’Meara was committed to the development of the finest and driest paddling apparel in the world and recognized the need to control and continually evolve the development of our dry wear. In the early days, Kokatat worked closely with W.L. Gore & Associates, makers of GORE-TEX®, to refine the sewing and sealing techniques required for full immersion suits and tops. Today, our hands-on approach to manufacturing continues to set the standard in paddling apparel. Into the water with Kokatat! Learn more at www.kokatat.com.