Want to enjoy the rest of the summer fully? Espace Navi offers to take control of the river on a kayak.

“ Happiness is to make your passion into a profession.”  Michel Tremblay took this Stendhal quote to heart when he launched Espace NAVI in 2012. Electrical engineer by trade, and nautical sports fanatic, he was able to transform his love of kayaking into a thriving business.

A Nuns’ Island resident for the last 25 years, this well-known business man appreciates its access to the river, the proximity to Downtown, and the fact that Verdun is, in itself, a neighbourhood full of sports fans from all walks of life.

Espace NAVI

Established in Pointe-Nord since 2014, Espace NAVI, which is an acronym for « Nautique en Ville », has built its mission around Mr Tremblay’s sheer joy of guiding Montrealers to rediscover their river by offering all sorts of excursions, as well as simple kayak outings. For Michel, an hour of Kayak is the ultimate relaxation. And we believe him!

This a wonderful activity that can be done solo, as a couple, but also as a family, since children can join starting at 4 years old. Triple kayaks are available for this purpose.

Watching the fireworks on the river, escapades to Rock Island, or going down from Sainte-Catherine to Pointe-Nord on Nun’s Island are among the many activities offered.

Is the river safe?

What if one falls in the water? Contrary to popular belief, the current near Pointe-Nord is not very strong. It gets strong to the west of the Victoria Bridge. Regarding water quality, the south side of Nuns’ Island is swimmable, unless a storm causes a sewage overflow. In which case it is better to wait 24 hours before swimming safely. The proof is in the pudding since thriathletes train there daily! Also on security, a Zodiac is always on standby during group excursions.

Definitely the must-do activity of the summer.

Ready to try Espace NAVI?

ESPACE NAVI
205 de la Rotonde
Nuns’ Island (Québec) H3E 0C1
(514) 800-0481

There is something most people can agree on about living by the water. It’s calming. It feels good. But did you know it can actually have a positive impact on your health?

It’s already clear to the scientific community that green living has positive impacts on our wellbeing. Now studies are being commissioned to find out what « blue spaces » do for our bodies and minds.

Studies show

• It has been proven that simply watching images of bodies of water, including underwater photos, were calming enough during certain simple surgeries (such as dental surgeries).

« In general, these studies in the U.K. demonstrate that both natural and built scenes containing water are associated with higher perceived restorativeness than those without water. » – University of Plymouth psychologist Matthew White and his co-authors in a paper published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology.

• The mind apparently enters a mild meditative state when near a body of water. Scientists have found that levels of dopamine, seratonin and oxitocyn raise significantly in the brain, causing the mind to relax and feel positive. In the meantime, the stress hormone called cortisol lowers when in proximity to water.
• There are a number of research being held around water-based therapies. Blue Mind researches show important findings between proximity to water as well as immersion, and emotional and physical healing properties.
• People taking breaks near water and nature show a boost in their immune systems. Combined with the lower cortisol, levels of stress are significantly lowered while near or in water.

Reading some of these studies also shows scientist are exploring evolutionary theories explaining our reaction to water. Our bodies are mostly water, and our current society has only been detached from living in symbiosis with nature for the last 200 years or so. Hence the theories explaining that our true balanced emotional and physical state require nature and water.

Maybe this explains why the majority of us delight in taking our vacations on a beach. Maybe our animal instinct recognizes our need for being in nature and particularly near water.

Pointe-Nord on the waterfront

That being said, what if you could live all year-long near water? How great does it feel to see and feel the negative ions daily?
That is not a question in Pointe-Nord. We are lucky to benefit from water and nature, as well as having access to outdoor paths and indoor gyms and exercise. The health benefits are endless…

Learn more about living in Pointe-Nord

What living by the water can offer

Raise your hand if you’ve always dreamed of living on the waterfront… That’s what we thought!

Not that really need to convince anyone that living next to a body of water is incredible, but just in case you were wondering, here are the top advantages of living by the water in Pointe-Nord.

1 – The view

Most of the apartments and houses in the neighbourhood have a spectacular view of the calming river.

2 – The calm

A serene atmosphere exists by the water. One can enjoy it through walks, by bike, walking the dog, reading a book…

3 – Water Sports

With shops like NAVI, we are lucky to have access to kayak professionals who offer outings or simple kayak rentals for solo adventures.

4 – Fishing

Yes, you can fish in the St Laurent! A lot of Pointe-Nord residents take advantage of this. Imagine being able to fish 5 min away from your home.

6 – The value

Riverside property is an asset that keeps on giving. Because these types of locations are getting rare and rarer, they’re more in demand, thus upping the value of the property.

7 – Health

Researchers from the University of Exeter in England have found that people living on the coasts were in better health. The simple fact of living by the water makes one calm and ready for physical exercise.

Pointe-Nord, a waterfront community

Pointe-Nord was thought out for residents so they can benefit from a perfect mix of river and downtown views. This mix offers a lifestyle that’s far from the loud bustling city, while being far from being a suburb. 5 minutes drive from Downtown (by car or bus), the Quartier Pointe-Nord remains a calm riverside yet urban place thanks to its shops and active residents.

Find out more about living in Pointe-Nord