“So in my garage there was always paddles and kayaks and that’s what we did a bit as a kid. We did so many sports and we just liked being outside but we always went back to paddling. I was really into gymnastics but I really wanted to make Canada Games but I had to pick and that’s when I decided to really go for kayaking. From Canada Games I went to 3 Olympics so that’s how I started.
I think the thing I love the most is being able to go as hard as you can but also be in control. I remember as kid thinking it was the coolest thing when you sit in your boat, and you decide how hard you can go, how fast it’s going to be, if you go left or right. You know when you are a kid you don’t have much control on many things but in your boat you did, then you got to do it with your friends so that really got me, and your outside, like we live in a pretty amazing country to do it so I just love the fact you can exercise and go as hard as you can and push yourself doing it outside.” – Emilie Fournel, Olympic Kayaker, Pan Am Games Gold Medalist. (5/6)