The city of Québec is pretty well known for creeking. With many big slides, long, high volume and continuous class V rapids, Québec City is a destination of choice for any class V boaters, that’s no secret. With some classics like the Taureau, the Neilson and the 7chutes it is one of the creekers paradise on earth, but those who prefer to run more vertical miles than horizontal miles in a day (I mean those who wants to drop big waterfalls) , will probably go to the opposite side of the continent in PNW or BC because there are not many waterfalls higher than 30ft around Québec.
There’s a beautiful creek, 15 minutes away from downtown called the Sault-à-la-puce (SAP). In the spring time or when it’s raining hard during the season this creek is a gem, with tons of sweet boofs and quality rapids. After the take out of the usual section there’s a few major drops bringing the river to the St-Lawrence River. From what we knew they were are unrunable, but there was a rumor that one of these drops was vertical…
Myself on the usual SAP section. Real gem
In spring 2012, I and some other guys from the Quebec Connection crew decided to go have a look at this set of waterfalls. We park in a small B&B at the spot where the SAP gets in the St-Lawrence River in Château Richer (15 away from downtown). It was early in the season, after a 10 minutes’ walk in 4 feet of snow we saw that beauty, a clean waterfall. We had found something unique a 60 ft+ waterfall around Quebec. From the bottom the level was looking great, but after a quick scout we realized that that day was not going to be the day. There was still a big pack of ice in the only potential put in eddy. Few days later we returned to the drop. That day the level was way too low, but was a good moment to see what looked like the rock behind the waterfall, to take a look at the pool and enjoy the beautiful place with some jagermeister. We were stoked to see that the pool was ok, but we saw that there was a piton rock in the potential line, so we knew that a very high flow was necessary to run it. Since that day, I thought about this waterfall every week because the flow did not get high enough to run it in 2012.
Emrick Blanchette carefully looking at the pool with some jagermeister. Quebexicain style…
A year later, during our 2013 stakeout, the stars aligned and we had our chance. Everything around Québec was high and the night before it was non-stop raining. I was unable to sleep. I knew that maybe the next day was the day. I woke up at 6 am and at 7:30 am I was in my car with my boat driving to the SAP. I walked to the drop and immediately saw that the level was perfect! I was so excited, took my phone and called all the boys. We changed and walked to the drop. While I was walking I already knew I was going to do it. So as soon we get to the drop I climb to the put it. After a quick scout of the lip I was ready to go first and get that thing done!
Myself dropping in this 68ft
The Shiva LOVES to go vertical !
I had the line that I wanted, but get ejected of my boat at the bottom and I had to swim, but I didn’t really care because after more than a year I had done it ! 8 guys of the crew followed me and drop that thing.
Billy Big Deal before his front flip
It was an epic day, 68ft waterfall, 15 minutes away from the house, perfect flow, massive crew and no major injuries (notice that Emrick Blanchette had a few stitches, he threw is paddle in his face… He always thought girls likes scars…) Can’t wait to do that drop again, next spring hopefully…
VIDÉO !