Urban Water Odyssey – UWO

What do you dare to do for a glass of Water?

Nath Lasselin

Extreme diving expedition just few minutes from downtown
Diving 70 kms (44 miles) through rapids, low vis water for more than 30 hours

September 14th, 2018 As the sun will rise, a few minutes away from downtown Montreal, a unique expedition will take place.

Diving the St Lawrence river from one end of the island to the other one.

• 70 kilometers.
• 8 bridges.
• 2 tunnels
• Rapids
• Low visibility.

“There’s so much to do… we must never stop trying”
What do we really know about the nature and geography surrounding us? What do we know about the rivers, the fresh water source we depend on?
Do we really think we explored it all?

Odyssée Urbaine Aquatique

Doing a scientific dive of 44 miles in the depth of the St Lawrence river in Montreal, to better know the river in a urban environment. Nathalie lasselin will dive form one end of the island to the other one. It took more than 30 hours in the water and she arrived at 22:23 in Repentigny saturday september 15th.  A total  commitment towards the environment and the source of our drinking water.

We had to face many challenges and had to adjust the plan to be safe both for Nathalie and her team. It is so important to stay humble and remember why we do a project. Not for the sake of a record but to raise awarness torwards freshwater.

Why this project ?

• 80% of tap water in Montreal comes from the river. At first sight this doesn’t look like the dreamed body of water in which you would like to dive. However the river hides a rich environment of fauna and flora. Rediscovering the river like an explorer of modern times to realize her importance. Making her rediscovered by the urban dwellers.

A human adventure

In order to better know our planet, we need to push the limits. What seems to be a crazy adventure is in fact a deep commitment. Nathalie fully believes that we need to fully commit if we want to succeed. We can’t have a part time good relation with nature. Even if everything seems to be against us, we always need to keep trying in order to success. We had to use different tools, made some compromise. This is the real success : being humble, listen to others to keep everyone safe and sound and be at finish line.

Scientific Missions

Along the path, not only Nathalie will document the underwater world of the river but also she will take samples of water and sediments so scientific from several universities will be able to analyze the content of the river. results will be publish in 2019.
First stage:
5 days
350km journey
40 sites sampled

Brain ractivity study in extreme condition

Studies and test of brain reactivity will be vital during the long immersion doing specific tasks. What is going on when you spend so long in low visibility waters? During her lectures, nathalie tells you about the Charles Bonnet syndrom and other effects she experienced.

Beyond the expedition

Suite à l’expédition, Nathalie partagera son expérience à travers :

• Un film documentaire: sortie 2021
• Des programmes scientifiques
• Une bande dessinée
• Un livre Sous le fleuve, l’Odyssée
• Des conférences et expositions photographiques
• Des campagnes de nettoyage du fleuve St Laurent

Following the expedition, Nathalie will share her experience through:

• A documentary film
• Scientific programs
• A book : sous le fleuve l’Odyssée ( released in french 08-2019)
• Conferences and photographic exhibitions
• Cleanup campaigns of the St.Lawrence River

Underwater Cleanup mission

Clean-ups: 2018-2020

Thank you for your support!

Together we can make our environment a healthier and more harmonious living environment for the good of all.

Calendar

• August 2017: Proof of concept:dive of 21 kms
• Winter 2017-2018:Training
• Summer 2018: scooting, shooting and sampling St.Laurent River
• September: the great diving of 70 kms
• Winter 2018-2019: back on the great adventure, conference…
• August 2019: book Publication Sous le fleuve l’Odyssée, à la rescousse du St Laurent
• 2018- 2020 :Public speaking France, Australia, Singapour, Canada, Slovakia, USA…
• 2020: Clean ups, season 3
• 2021: Documentary film on TV

A never attempted project:

A technological, psychological and physical challenge for the sake of the river.

2017:A half marathon dive in the St Lawrence river.
Monday august 14th, Nath Lasselin achieved a single 21,1km dive in 6 hours.

Thanks to the support team and partners.

Daily Planet – Discovery channel Canada from Pixnat Underwater films on Vimeo.

The average dive of a recreational diver is 45 minutes in warm and clear water, covering 100 meters. Nathalie is diving on a single dive in low visibility the waters of the St Lawrence river ending the dive 21,1km after the Parc du bout de l’île, on the east coast of Montreal.

Un projet “Les explorations Aqua Sub Terra”

Pendant toute la plongée, Nathalie avance à tâtons, propulsée par un scooter sous-marin. Comme dans un épais brouillard opaque où la visibilité est aussi faible que 2,5 pieds.
En avançant dans ces eaux laiteuses où je ne vois que quelques pieds devant moi, je me rends compte que la seule façon de réussir est de prendre les actions immédiates une à la fois pour atteindre mon but.
Comme pour préserver la qualité de notre eau et la rendre meilleure encore, il suffit de poser un geste à la fois pour l’économiser et préserver sa qualité.

A project”Les explorations Aqua Sub Terra”

”As I dive in the low viz water, I know in need to focus on the coming next step in order to succeed.
I realized, it is the also what needs to be done to protect the quality of the water of the St Lawrence river. One step at a time will make us win over pollution”

Why?
The st Lawrence river is one of the biggest intake of tap / drinkable water for Montreal, it is also where we get rid of all our waste water once treated. What do we really know about that body of water. What kind of species, how rich and fragile it is? This is what Nathalie is going to figure out by diving in a single dive with the current that amazing river she loves so much.

A venture on a human scale for the simple purpose of freshwater preservation.

What would you do for a glass of fresh water?

Most of the world’s population lives in urban centers.
The demand for freshwater in urban areas is increasing. However, are we fully aware of the fragility of clean
freshwater? With climate change and pollution, our rivers might be at a greater risk.
The St Lawrence river used to be a rich source of fish, drinking water, and a great place to swim.
Raising awareness on the river, its beauty and species we still encounter, we participate
in a positive movement centered around our own environment.
Beyond taking the river for granted, let this Odyssey inspire us. Let it awaken our consciousness towards better
ways of living in the hope of respecting nature and ultimately our own well-being.