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This image shows a good-natured and friendly canoe regatta held on Sergent Lake. Indigenous Peoples in Canada have canoed since time immemorial. Regattas, on the other hand, are quite British and first appeared in Canada in the 19th century.
1910 - 1944

Sports in the early 19th century

Following his visit to Québec City at the end of the 19th century, the instigator of the modern Olympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin, deplored French Canadians’ lack of involvement in sport. In Québec City, summer sports were primarily practised by the English-speaking members of elite and exclusive clubs. Many of our sports—horse racing, tennis, golf, regattas, to name a few—have British origins. As urbanization progressed at the turn of the 20th century, sports slowly became more widespread and French speakers became increasingly involved.

Canoeing regatta on Sergent Lake

Thaddée Lebel This image shows a good-natured and friendly canoe regatta held on Sergent Lake. Indigenous Peoples in Canada have canoed since time immemorial. Regattas, on the other hand, are quite British and first appeared in Canada in the 19th century.
Chronoscope Can you locate this place on the map? (unilingual French for a limited time) Source: Ville de Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Thaddée Lebel Fonds - Date: circa 1940