Olivier, the call of the open sea

The provincial and federal sailing champion grew up on the shores of Lake Champlain. “My parents own the Sextant Marine sailing club,” he explains, “and we spent every weekend and summer on the water, sailing. I was only four at the time, and I already loved it.”

Time only confirmed his interest and talent for the world of sailing. At the age of 13, he took part in his first competition with his father, and at 16, he competed in his first regatta on his own boat, with his own team. In 2010, he won the title of Canadian champion in the F18 catamaran class and embarked on a brilliant international career. Today, Olivier continues to race and win medals in his favourite categories, notably with his sports catamarans (F16-F18) and his Shark24.

Take your time. Try something new. Discover the joys of sailing and rediscover the incredible sites that our beautiful country has to offer.

When he finished his studies in sport marketing and management, he bought a bigger boat, got his professional license and set sail for the Caribbean, where he now spends all his winters as a professional boat captain, with his wife, Stacey, and their little daughter. “We spend our winters in the West Indies, off the British Virgin Islands or St Martin, and our summers in Quebec, at the Sextant Marine Sailing Club, which I took over full-time.”

It’s a double life that the family happily embraces. Since Stacey works for APRIL Marine, they have had “almost family ties with the company, the administrative committee and the members of Club APRIL Marine” for many years. Olivier is proud to represent “Quebec sailors” internationally, while Club APRIL Marine sponsors him in its regattas around the world.

To meet the warm and friendly Olivier, take a sailing course on Lake Champlain or treat yourself to some pure nautical pleasure and a change of scenery on his Caribbean boat. On the program: turquoise waters, scuba diving, sandy beaches, delicious cuisine and unforgettable sunsets.