OUR TEAM
Discover our team of outdoor enthusiasts!
Our guides and collaborators are authentic and can’t wait to share the beauty of our region.
MATHIEU BOURDON
Mathieu is crazy about water and paddling. He moved to Minganie in 1996, dropped anchor in the region he has been traveling in the region’s backcountry tirelessly ever since. He is an expert in anything that involves a paddle, from sea kayaking, rafting, river kayaking and canoeing. He has taught, developed maritime and river trails, worked as a guide, mentor, and provided safety training. His passion for water and the territory of Minganie guide his life. He works closely with public rescue agencies to improve the safety practices of sea kayaking and refine the knowledge of the ocean currents that govern the archipelago. Mathieu is an explorer in love with the territory he lives in. He has navigated between the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the river for more than 24 years. He has studied the seasons, learned the stories of the region, and knows the plants and animals, and he loves nothing more than sharing his experience and knowledge with Noryak’s guests.
GABRIEL RONDEAU
A guide with Noryak since 2019, Gabriel studied adventure tourism for three years at Cégep de Gaspé before crossing over to Minganie. North Coastal by adoption, he spends the winter on the coast in the small village of Magpie. Passionate about northern Quebec, he is particularly interested in regional development issues, geography and anthropology. When he is not guiding, he constantly travels the territory; whether by canoe, sea-kayak, skis or snowshoes, combining expeditions on the great rivers of Minganie to the tundra of Mushuau-Nipi. Stories, tales of hunting and adventures; he has more than a few! For him, the poetry of this land is inspiring and a way of defining his intimate connection to this beautiful territory.
MARIANA LEDESMA
Born in Mexico, Mariana found in Quebec the territory that shaped her into the guide she has become, immersed in the world of the St. Lawrence and its tides. Certified as a Level 1 instructor and Level 3 paddler by the CKQ Federation, she developed her skills and confidence while exploring challenging areas such as the Mingan Archipelago, the Saguenay Fjord, Percé, and the Lower North Shore. She has also guided internationally — from Mexico to Greenland, and through Panama and Papua — always driven by a desire to provide authentic and safe experiences. At Noryak, she brings together her Quebecois experience, technical expertise, and a broad international perspective. Each season, she returns to Minganie, a territory that feels like a second home to her.
CAMY-ANNE GARCEAU
Camy-Anne is originally from Abitibi; she’s a true woodswoman. Funny, friendly, and endlessly positive, she studied natural heritage interpretation at the Cégep de Saint-Félicien. She knows the local wildlife and their behaviors, and enthusiastically introduces us to the edible and medicinal plants of the boreal forest. She is the one who prepares the delicious desserts for our base camp trips and, on her own, by foot or canoe, collects plants and wild berries that add a true boreal flavor to our meals. In addition to dedicating part of her free time to practicing yoga, Camy-Anne is also a local ambassador for the Norkôtières, helping to build and inspire a women’s outdoor community on the Côte-Nord.
MARILOU BOURDON
Marilou, perfectionist and always on the move. She joined Noryak for her second summer. Originally from Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, she is deeply attached to her native territory, which she will share with you with joy and passion. Landscapes, day and night, animals and plants are always a source of wonder for her. Marilou is also passionate about water, first aid and rescue.
JEAN-FRANÇOIS BOURDON
Jean-François has paddled the Côte-Nord since 2000. He’s an outdoor fanatic, and loves sea kayaking, river kayaking, rafting, trekking, biking and skiing. He’s outside in each season and plays on every type of terrain. Jean-François is an experienced paddler who knows the Minganie extremely well. He is detail oriented, he adapts easily, and loves to share his knowledge and his passion. Jean-François teaches outdoor education during the off-season and is a ski patroller at the Petite Rivière St-François in the winter.
MIKA PETIT
Since leaving the Montreal metropolitan area to study in Gaspésie, Mika has not been able to live without the sea breeze. He now finds himself on the other side of the St. Lawrence, in Minganie, where he continues to explore and marvel at the beauty of this vast territory. Always in search of new adventures, Mika never misses an opportunity to paddle new waters. A lover of life’s simple pleasures, he especially enjoys good conversation, good food, sharing moments, and laughter.
ARIEL DESROSIERS
Ariel was born in Minganie and grew up in a cabin in the forest, where he learned to read the sea, the rivers, and the woods, picking up a paddle almost as early as he learned to walk. He joins us for the first Magpie trips in late July, right after his lobster fishing season on the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In the fall, he heads back to the city to continue his university studies in sustainable development.
ERIC BOILY
Rafting guide since 1998 on the most beautiful rivers of Lac-Saint-Jean, whitewater rescue trainer, member of the Canadian master rafting team, expedition guide, carpenter and co-owner of a rafting business in Ecuador ; Eric is a teacher and a technical paddler of great finesse. He is a jack-of-all-trades who builds his own boats and other pieces of whitewater equipment. He has become, over time, an expert in the art of understanding the world of whitewater and everything closely or remotely related to it. His first expedition on the Magpie River dates back to the summer of 2005 and since then he has returned often to share his love of the river.
SEBASTIEN RAINVILLE
Sébastien has a background in sustainable development, leadership, geography, and politics. An experienced kayaker and passionate lover of wild rivers, he has served as a whitewater rescue instructor, adventure tourism consultant, guide, and multiple-time world rafting champion with the Canadian Rafting Team. Beyond his technical skills, Sébastien is a sensitive and attentive individual who looks out for every member of his team, both on expeditions and in daily life. Each year, he brings his expertise to the Magpie River descents. The rest of the year, he dedicates his energy to improving the world through RECYC-QUÉBEC and contributes to youth development via Camps Odyssée.
NICOLAS AUGER
Passionate about the outdoors, Nicolas, originally from France, moved to Gaspésie in 2021 to study adventure tourism. Since graduating, he has taken part in numerous expeditions in whitewater, sea kayaking, ice climbing, and skiing. Attentive, thoughtful, and highly observant, he also stands out for his love of good food and the pleasure he takes in sharing the meals he prepares. He will accompany you with professionalism as you explore the rivers, wildlife, and flora of Minganie.
DANIÈLE MORIN
It is a true privilege for us to collaborate with Danièle for the Anticosti Island expedition. A trained biologist, she has lived on the island for nearly forty years and explores it tirelessly, both in winter and summer. She knows the island down to its smallest details and shares some of its best-kept secrets with us. Traveling with her is like meeting an island she presents as a long-time friend.
Danièle also guides personalized adventure trips on Anticosti Island.
SÉBASTIEN HEIMANU
Born in French Polynesia and having lived in French Guiana before settling in Quebec, he is a true globetrotter driven by a deep passion for rivers. He has paddled in Ecuador, the United States, and of course on many rivers in Quebec, including the Magpie River on several occasions. A biology teacher at the Cégep, Sébastien is a natural educator. Each summer, he guides trips, trains new rafting enthusiasts, and teaches whitewater rescue. Warm-hearted and always pleasant to be around, he has a real talent for telling stories that both entertain and inspire.