BEAUHARNOIS | Speed and adrenaline take over for two brothers addicted to boat racing, whose uncle died at the Régates de Valleyfield in 1991. Since then, the discipline has been much safer, they say.
“We are aware of the risk, but that does not prevent us from getting on board and racing,” says Samuel Tremblay.
He and his brother Michaël were not born when their mother’s brother, Johanne, lost his life aboard a hydroplane during a Grand Prix event, the premier class. But they grew up listening to the exploits of Daniel Brossoit.
“Our mother supports us and she is happy for us, claims Samuel, 26. We’ve had accidents before, we’ve freaked out before, and it stresses her out when you don’t get out of the boat fast enough. She knows that the boats are made strong enough, that even if there is an impact, we should be correct.
“At the time, there was no protection, no air canister or mask [à l’intérieur de la cabine, qui permettent aujourd’hui aux pilotes de rester plus de 10 minutes sous l’eau]. The guys weren’t even attached. When the boat rose, they were ejected with a parachute”, explains Michaël, 27 years old.
Samuel Tremblay will be supported by his brother Michaël, who will act as co-pilot during the Régates de Valleyfield this weekend.
Photo MARTIN ALARIE, LE JOURNAL DE MONTREAL
The example of Formula 1
Like many motor sports, boat racing has evolved and drivers are better protected. As in Formula 1, Samuel, Michaël and their colleagues can count on the HANS system, a support for the head and the neck.
“Even the Speed Skiff Jerseys [qui ressemblent à de grandes chaloupes pouvant aller à 130 km/h] had no front cage, no belt, says Michaël. You were standing behind the wheel! The guys were crazy!”
“They say we’re brave, but in the end…”, begins Samuel.
“…We’re no match for it!” complements its elder.
Samuel Tremblay’s Jersey Speed Skiff is ready for the Régates de Valleyfield.
Photo MARTIN ALARIE, LE JOURNAL DE MONTREAL
Not like NASA, but almost!
In addition, pilots must pass annual medical tests in order to compete. Every two years, there are eye exams on the schedule as well as a simulation of an accident in an indoor swimming pool.
Drivers sit in a capsule with their gear, including helmet and seatbelt, as if they were in their cockpitand they are thrown into the water.
“We have to get out quickly. It’s a little stressful, but you have to be calm,” says Michaël, smiling at the idea that it can feel like a test for NASA astronomers.
A breathalyzer
And Regatta participants cannot party like other citizens. Again, this is a security issue.
“It’s the little flat side, admits Michaël. It’s a big partya big show, but as pilots, we have to take it easy. We can’t be the day after, because every morning we blow into the balloon, and that would be too dangerous. It’s zero tolerance.”
Mechanical problems can also force the pilots, who are often also the mechanics, to spend hours in the garage.
“Last year, I couldn’t enjoy the event because I had problems. I had to spend the evening repairing the boat,” says Samuel.
The forklift technician hopes to have a little better luck this weekend in Baie Saint-François.
In honor of his godfather
BEAUHARNOIS | In addition to the death of an uncle at the Régates de Valleyfield, Samuel Tremblay also had the misfortune to lose his godfather, Denis Côté, a week before his first race aboard his JS-48.
“He had already been a co-pilot in a boat of this style. He wanted to relive this passion and we went to get one in New Jersey. We repaired it, reassembled it and prepared it for the races. But he died in 2018, just before the first test. He couldn’t live his dream. He only heard the engine running on the trailer and he was crying”, says Samuel with emotion.
The latter therefore did not hesitate to pursue the dream of his godfather and to baptize his boat Denis’ Dream in his honor.
In duet
Samuel will therefore team up with his brother Michaël, who will be his co-driver, in the Jersey Speed Skiff class, as of Friday, during the Régates de Valleyfield. A few days before the start of the event, they were ready, only having to put the engine back in place.
“We’ve known the course since 2011. We also know what the pressure of running in front of family and friends is,” underlines Samuel.
Indeed, the Tremblay-Brossoit family is well known in the region. Samuel and Michaël form the third generation of pilots of the clan. They grew up with boat racing, and their competitive spirit and mechanical skills developed in karting.
Brothers Samuel and Michaël Tremblay will also be in action in hydroplanes this weekend.
Photo MARTIN ALARIE, THE MONTREAL JOURNAL
“You fly on water”
The two brothers will also be at the controls of a hydroplane each: Samuel in the F 2500 class for the Beaudoin Racing team in Sorel-Tracy, and Michaël at the controls of an American Hydro 350 boat.
“I prefer the hydroplane, it goes faster and it moves less,” says Michaël without hesitation, who has been competing on the water since he was 15 years old. […] My pay is to sit in the boat and experience the adrenaline.”
“THE feeling is not the same, adds Samuel. In a hydroplane, you fly on water, you feel the air cushion. There’s not much that goes against that!”
Samuel and Michaël Tremblay are passionate about boat racing.
Photo MARTIN ALARIE, THE MONTREAL JOURNAL
Most Improved
Moreover, the electromechanic laughs when he is reminded that he was named the most improved driver last year.
“It looks like I wasn’t good before!” he laughs.
“We are having a very good season, it was our first complete [en raison de la pandémie], he continues more seriously. We finished second in the championship. Unlike other years, we did not arrive in the final through the back door, through the consolations.
Michaël’s objective, who is currently second in the standings after two events, is therefore to win this weekend at Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.
“For my part, I want to reach the final, says Samuel. With a new boat, there is still a learning curve.”