In their quest to live their passion to the fullest, it’s not uncommon for young Quebecers to leave the province of La Belle to settle in British Columbia and indulge in extreme sports.
• Also read: Extreme sports: increasingly popular in Québec too
That’s what Julien Gagnon, a skateboarding expert who, however, was traveling through Montreal over the weekend to attend the 10th edition of the Jackalope, never once missed the event that showcased the promotion of certain extreme sports.
Gagnon, now 29, relocated to Western Canada just over two years ago, at the start of the pandemic, in 2020 to be precise, where he lives the van life of exploring the world in a purpose-built van.
“We chose to live this life as athletes. In the summer I do skate camps for the Evolve Skatecamp. I just finished my skate day camp season at Whistler Skatepark. We keep it sporty. We keep it a bit traveling, extreme sports, it suits our lifestyle.
A native of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, he also left Quebec with his girlfriend after completing his secondary school studies. In the future he would like to make his sport known to the young students he will be teaching.
“I really see the sport increasing in popularity. We have young people practicing in Whistler.
Never without her cat
Gagnon and his girlfriend are not traveling alone. Her cat explores the west of the country with them. Although generally a sedentary animal, Luna enjoys travelling. She also traveled from Vancouver to Montreal to follow her master on duty at the Jackalope.
“We came from Vancouver to make our van in Saint-Georges-de-Beauce and there are kittens that were born in the field at the same time we were making this van. My friend said to me, “The cat and I or nothing,” Gagnon launched, amused by the story.
“We drag him everywhere, he’s become a bit like our little baby. She is a traveling cat and brings life to a van. It’s still a pretty closed place, a van, but it gives life and I think that’s what we’re looking for, to have companions to join us on this adventure that is life. »