History of Grand Splash

The Big Splash over time

1994 – The concept of the Grand Splash was born in Quebec City. By jumping into the water, the Society of Bathing People claims a public swimming site at Bassin Louise.

2003 – The initiative inspires the creation of a Grand Splash in Montreal. This version brings together a few participants in the Old Port to demand access allowing swimming. It is the Montréal Baignade citizen committee which is leading the initiative, supported by the Earth Day organization.

2018 – The Fondation Rivières joins the adventure for the organization of the Grand Splash. She became the main organizer the following year.

2020 – The pandemic is pushing the organizers of the Grand Splash to rethink the formula, in order to maintain the course of the event's demands, despite the health measures in place. This virtual edition highlights potential swimming sites throughout Quebec.

2021 – The Grand Splash attracts more than 300 participants in 10 municipalities across Quebec: Montreal, Quebec, Lachine, Trois-Rivières, Saguenay, Gracefield, Sainte-Martine, Saint-Paul-de-l'Ile-aux-Noix, Saint -Jérôme and Mont-Saint-Hilaire, in addition to two mini-splash, spontaneous events organized in Chambly and at the Promenade Bellerive park in the Tétreauville borough in Montreal.

2022 – Clay and Friends étaient à la présidence d’honneur alors que près d’une centaine de personnes ont sauté à l’eau au quai Jacques-Cartier du Vieux-Port de Montréal. La population était aussi invitée à se lancer à l’eau à Trois-Rivières, Saint-Lambert, Sainte-Anne-de-Sorel, Sainte-Martine et Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu.

2023 – Une centaine de personnes ont sauté dans l’eau du Fleuve Saint-Laurent au Bassin Jacques-Cartier. Les adeptes des sports nautiques non motorisés (canot, kayak, SUP, etc.) se sont joint à l’aventure pour la première fois. La population des villes de Chambly, Sorel, et Sainte-Martine ont aussi participé à ce Grand Splash pour réclammer des accès à l’eau.