"Impossible is not a sailor's word." 

It is with this motto that Jeunes Marins Urbains (JMU) set sail on a bold journey: reconnecting citizens to the Saint Lawrence River through handcrafted navigation and the free lending of non-motorized watercraft.

From the beginning, the organization has mobilized hundreds of volunteers and partners to turn tree trunks into a fleet of sail-rowboats, while promoting positive social impact and low environmental footprint.

Now, in 2025, JMU pushes further with the creation of the Maritime Mutual Aid Zone (Z.E.M.)—a collaborative space where Montrealers can borrow paddleboards, rowboats, and sail-rowboats free of charge.

The project, “I ❤️ the Z.E.M.”, is a participatory initiative that accelerates ecological transition in recreational boating. It encourages the development of non-motorized water activities, exploration of the river's diverse ecosystems, and the desire to protect them.

Geographically, the Z.E.M. spans a 4-km section of the Saint Lawrence River located between the Island of Montreal and Île Sainte-Thérèse, accessible from four points in the RDP–PAT borough:

• Plage de l’Est (shoreline)

• Parc Pierre-Jamet (shoreline)

• Parc Marcel-Léger (dock)

• Parc Clémentine-de-la-Rousselière (dock) – JMU Nautical Base

  
  

The four main pillars of the Z.E.M. project are:

1. Development of the Z.E.M. site

2. Training and mobilization

3. Launch of a wide range of free activities

4. Reproducibility of the Z.E.M. model

5. 
   

This initiative is powered by the Circonflexe program, supported by Sport et Loisir de l’Île de Montréal and the Ministry of Education.

These solidarity currents flow toward a common goal: making the metropolis a place where water, culture, and community drive inclusion. Whether you're a sailor for a day or a dedicated citizen, now’s the time to cast off and join the movement.

Want to learn more or get involved? Visit the official site of Jeunes Marins Urbains 

💌 Contact: info@jeunesmarinsurbains.org

Mission: Make water-based recreation accessible to everyone, while strengthening the social fabric surrounding the river.

When urban sailors dream of accelerating the ecological transition around their island (Montreal) and invite neighbors to join in, they imagine a participatory project designed to foster non-motorized water activities, exploration of Saint Lawrence River ecosystems, and collective care for these waters.