Ever felt the need to own a canoe? You will, once you see the beautifully designed and crafted canoes and kayaks made by the Québécois company Abitibi & Co. We talked to JD Petit, one of the two founders, about the magic of adventures on the water, zero footprint production and the fair dose of discomfort that makes unforgettable trips.

There are all kinds of adventures, what’s special about canoeing and kayaking?

JD Petit: Many things. First, they can bring you places that you can’t go otherwise. Navigating through rapids, shallow water and narrow waterways brings you to uncharted territories. This means freedom and discovery.

Also there’s a sense of communion with nature. It’s a silent and green mode of transportation with means you can appreciate and have a different point of view to observe the wildlife.

How does one get the idea of founding a company that builds canoes and kayaks?

Guillaume and I are both outdoorsmen and travelers. Canoeing and kayaking is another way to appreciate the great outdoors
After working many years as an engineer in Alberta, Guillaume wanted to get involved in the outdoor industry and decided to invest in the company that built his latest kayak. He ended up buying the molds and trademark and the rest is history in the making. We are now in the process of relaunching 53 years of heritage with a new vision.

Left: JD Petit, right: Guillaume Leblanc (Photo: Hugo Lacroix)

How are canoes & kayaks connected to the history and culture of Quebec and Canada?

There’s a lot of paddling history that runs through our blood. Canada is where canoeing was born. Our ancestors and pioneers used canoes as their main mode of transportations. From the fur trade to discovering new lands, canoeing is truly part of our culture. Also with more than two millions of lakes and rivers, Canada is the Willy Wonka factory for paddlers.

What are your products made of?

All our boats are made of fibre. Fibreglass, Kevlar or Carbon-Kevlar. Fibre is a great material that is durable, easy to work with and can be fixed. When you are putting your boat to the test, it’s good to know you can repair it on the spot and also do a full refurbishment. We are proud to still see our boats on the water after more than 40 years of usage.

You try to leave the smallest possible footprint with your production. How do you do that?

Sustainable business or no business at all. That’s our vision. Let’s be honest, every canoe and kayak we produce leaves a footprint. We wish we could change that, but to have zero impact on the planet, we’d have to produce nothing. We want to get everyone outside and into our waterways, but we also want to make sure we protect and rebuild compromised natural areas and do our best to minimize our environmental impact through sustainable business practices. That’s why we produce all of our canoes and kayaks locally. We use the environmentally friendliest material sources in Canada. This vision goes beyond the product itself. We renovated our factory with refurbished wood, changed our heating system for the most efficient and eco-friendly system out there. We also have a program where we remove one pound of trash of the wilderness for every boat sold. You can learn more about our initiative here.

You must go on the best company field trips…

The start up reality keeps us busy but when we find time to get on the water, it’s always crazy.

You can read our first field trip here.

What are your designs inspired by? Who comes up with them?

The shape of the boats are traditional hauls that have passed the test of time. We are constantly improving them for greater durability, lighter weight and to improve performances.

With a classic product like canoes and kayaks, how much room is there left for new innovations?

Innovation can be expressed in different ways. It can be through design, like our latest and limited edition with Norquay or going deep into R&D to give a new function the the boat itself. Innovation is part of our DNA and you’ll see new stuff constantly.

Do you have a favorite memory connected to adventures on water?

Too many to only pinpoint one. But I would say that being on the water before the sunrise on a massive body of water where there’s only you and nature is truly hard to surpass.

What does your perfect adventure look like?

A fair dose of discomfort, surprises and scotch. And no wifi.

What’s your favourite outdoor gear?

Dry bags.

Do you see a trend that people are feeling more and more attracted by nature and beeing outdoors?

I see many trends which all seem to be linked. We are so connected that we feel disconnected, this is why we turn ourselves to the great outdoors. To reconnect. There’s a lot of creativity that is shaping the new outdoor movement. We are seeing influences from graphic design, architecture and engineering shaping the new outdoor gear and adventure. Finally the quest for the perfect instagram shot ;). A camera is almost the first item people bring in their backpack.

Thank you for the nice chat, JD. We are already planning our next escape on the water.

Visit Abitibi & Co. on their website.

Interview by Stephanie Dietze for Outdoor Aesthetics.