An adventure for kayaking enthusiasts
After a week of disastrous weather, the skies cleared during the night and it's a beautiful sunny day that's in store for the brave souls who'll be making the descent. This nautical adventure allows you to discover one of the prettiest coastal rivers in Brittany. The start is in Bénodet, and participants make their way upstream to Quimper. A 16 km course. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced kayaker, it's open to all. Kayak, canoe, paddle, pirogue or dragon boat, as long as it floats and glides.
Good humour and the pleasure of paddling together are the driving force behind this moment of sharing and conviviality. Every year, a theme of clothing is proposed, to add a splash of color to the water. This year, the theme was flower power, and we were spoilt for choice when it came to colors. Everyone played the game, and even some of the boats were in the theme.
Numerous partners
This event is also supported by a number of partners, who play a major role in the tombola that closes this wonderful day, by offering numerous prizes. To mention just a few of them, I'd like to start with the most important one in my eyes, because it's at our side on the water all over France: the SNSM. This year, it was represented by SNS 219, the Bénodet Ste Marine lifeboat station, whose commitment and professionalism are essential to the success of this day. Many thanks for their dedication throughout the year.
The Breizh Polynesia Brest association was also on hand, providing a colorful and cheerful backdrop to the downhill start on Sunday. The Trez beach in Bénodet had a Tahitian air about it... Van Lovers, who offer customized vans, contributed to the tombola with a number of prizes of socks and caps, adding a touch of style and festive spirit. Quimper Volleyball Club 29 was also on hand to donate prizes (match tickets), and was also present on the water with a beautifully decorated boat. Le télégramme de Brest provided media coverage of the event and published numerous articles about it.
Of course, the towns of Quimper and Bénodet were on board, as were the town's employees, who set up the associated street furniture and marked out the access roads to the sites. Numerous prizes were also donated, including world-famous Quimper earthenware. Galaxykayaks France, which has been following the descent for several years, offered the main prize in the raffle, a beautiful Ranger fishing kayak for freshwater and seaside use. Won by a friendly team from the Paris region, they have ties to the area, having taken part in the Odet trail the day before. It's fair to say that they know the Odet from every angle, so well done to them, and happy sailing to come.
Numerous kayaks, solo, double or family, were also on loan for the occasion. By the end of the event, all the snacks had been distributed, leaving a surplus of fruit. In a spirit of solidarity, this fruit was donated to Secours Populaire du Finistère. In keeping with the spirit of the Descente de l'Odet, the fruit was donated to support local initiatives to help the underprivileged.
This 42nd edition, which brought together more than 1100 participants, was a real success thanks to all the volunteers, club staff, private and public partners (I apologize for those I didn't mention). We'd like to thank you all and we'll see you next year.
