KSF 30 Years: A Legacy of Whitewater Kayaking, River Surfing, and SUP
Whitewater Kayaking – Where It All Began
KSF has never forgotten its roots — deeply anchored in Montreal’s water culture.
It all started in 1995 with three kayak bums and adventurers — Hugo Lavictoire, Mathieu Poncelet, and Raphaël Massie — united by their passion for whitewater. Together, they launched Kayak Sans Frontières, a nomadic kayak school offering lessons on the Petite Nation River in the Outaouais region.
From the very beginning, it was a spirit of adventure and community that drove them. Then in 1999, Hugo continued the project on his own and opened the very first kayak shop in LaSalle, right by the Lachine Rapids. A small space, big ambitions — and already a clear vision: to make the river a playground. Gradually, Kayak Sans Frontières became KSF.
River Surfing – An Unexpected Wave
In the early 2000s, Hugo’s passion for rivers took an unexpected turn when he discovered river surfing — a sport still largely unknown in Montreal at the time.
In 2003, KSF offered its very first lessons at the Habitat 67 wave — now an iconic spot, but then mostly frequented by kayakers and very few surfers.
With a few boards and a lot of trial and error, a new way of riding the river began to take shape.
By settling in with dedication and creativity, KSF became the only river surfing school in Montreal. The company played a major role in popularizing this growing urban sport while ensuring safe instruction and supervision for its community.
Stand-Up Paddleboarding – Balancing Stillness and Flow
It didn’t take long for this passion for water to lead to stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), which would become one of the pillars of KSF’s identity.
In 2009, KSF added SUP to its offerings — with beginner lessons, guided tours, and even whitewater SUP, which was still in its early days at the time.
That same summer, KSF innovated once again by introducing SUP Yoga, becoming a pioneer in Canada by blending balance, flow, and connection to the river.
Over the years, KSF has continued to evolve the practice, offering instructor certifications, specialized trainings, and experiences designed for paddlers and adventurers of all kinds.
Today – Still Carried by the Current
Today, 30 years later, what started as a small kayak shop in LaSalle is still making waves in the industry — offering the best in equipment, experiences, and adventure.
KSF is now a family business, led by Hugo and Kristine, along with their children Simon and Ève, and supported by a passionate team that lives and breathes the values of KSF every day.
Over time, KSF has also invested in environmental protection, becoming a member of 1% for the Planet, Leave No Trace Canada, and Aventure Écotourisme Québec — concrete commitments that reflect its desire to protect the natural spaces it has been helping people discover for three decades.
Who would have thought that at the very place where it all began, KSF would still be thriving — inspiring surfers, paddlers, and river lovers for 30 years and counting?
