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 Story
by Daniel Larivere
On June 28th 2008 was held the 6th edition of
the “Lake Henault Endurance Challenge” in
Mandeville, Quebec (Canada) located about 2 hours north-east of Montreal. This
event is the first of the season for Quebec barefooters. It is hosted by André
Rocheleau and his wife Pascale Damato.
The Lake Henault Endurance Challenge was awarded the barefoot event of the year
by the FSNQ (French acronym of the Quebec Water Ski Federation) last year. It is
known for its party atmosphere with live DJ and announcer. Pork and beef roasts
are roasted on a rotating skew over a wood fire during the event which becomes
the evening’s diner. This event must have the most spectators per participant
ratio in all of the Quebec hosted events with over 200 people for 21
participants.
The event consists of 2 rounds of endurance barefooting with the boat, a 1999
Malibu Sportster LX this year, going in a circle pattern. It takes about a
minute per lap depending on the skier’s speed to give you an idea. The times
from the 2 rounds are added up and bonus seconds are given for a few basic
tricks such as:
10 seconds for a flying dock start
15 seconds for a tower start (approx. 15 feet)
20 seconds for a tumble turn (only 1 per round is permitted)
10 seconds if you wave your hand to the crowd (only 1 per round is permitted)
The skier is allowed sitting down to rest or cross waves only once for a maximum
of 5 seconds. This year a new rule was added, skiers wanting to ride backwards
had their time doubled. The order of the first round is a draw and the second
round order is depending on the results from the first round where the best
times ski last.
The part of Lake Henault that the event goes on is known for its calm water.
Because it is located between mountains, other than the waves produced by the
boat, the lake remains calm with barely a few ripples. Good thing this event is
held at the beginning of the season where skiers have less endurance or it would
probably have to be held on 2 days. It is rare that a skier falls in results of
hitting a wave. Usually skiers fall as a result of leg fatigue or burning feet
which make them lose their posture and become vulnerable.
Four veterans decided to try riding backwards knowing that they would not have a
chance to hold on as long as some of the young guns. For some it paid off, for
others it did not but they all put on a good show for the crowd.
Some skiers stood out of the crowd and really put on a good show. Some examples
are:
• André Berthiaume who passed the crowd twice
on a toe-hold on his first pass and did 2 ½ laps backwards on his second pass.
• Michel Fioré who was the only competitor to attempt both passes backwards.
• Martin Montpetit who for his second pass, hid a can of beer in his wetsuit and
took it out to take a sip while on one foot every time he passed the crowd.
• Benjamin Guay-Lafrance who did a flip start from the 15 foot tower on his
first pass. (I will try to get it on tape, very cool!)
The outcome of the event was all in the 4 last skiers who had to run their
second pass through heavy rain.
In the battle for 3rd place, Daniel Jr Larivière, who was almost a minute behind
Félix De Launière in the first round, pulled off a 7 lap run to pass Félix who
pulled off a 6 ½ lap run by only 15 seconds.
In the battle for 1st place, it came down to 2 local boys which happen to be
André Rocheleau’s prodigies. Benjamin Guay-Lafrance, who was over 1 minute
behind Patrick Baril in the first round, pulled off a terrific 8 lap run,
guarantying him a second position. But it was Patrick Baril who dominated the
event by doing another 8 laps, waving to the crowd on every lap.
In the end, no-one was hurt and everybody had a blast even thought it was
raining thanks to all of the preparation that had been done by the organizers
and the setting-up of about a dozen tents.
A special thanks to the organizers, André Rocheleau and Pascale Damato and all
of the sponsors for without them none of this would have been possible. Hope to
see you all next year!
If you would like to participate in a competition similar to the Lake Henault
Challenge (same set of rules), the Martin Remillard Endurance Challenge will
take place September 13th (date to be confirmed) at Lake de l’Achigan in Ste-Hyppolite,
QC (45 minutes north of Montreal). This endurance challenge usually gathers form
40 to 60 barefooters. It would be faire to say that it is Quebec’s version of
Footstock where you have athletes from all levels and from all regions of
Eastern Canada (US footers are very welcome) compete in a friendly competition
with a party like atmosphere. However, the water conditions are usually very
windy and choppy, so it’s anyone’s game…
If you would like more information, you may contact me by email at
danieljrlariviere@yahoo.ca or PM me on the
BarefootCentral.com FORUM under
1FootDan. I can also arrange for lodging if you
like.
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