Our team
Employees
François Genin
General manager
Passionate about climbing and a full-time task juggler, François has been a whirlwind of energy since landing in Rimouski. Originally from Belgium, he grew up not too far from the Alps—those very mountains that sparked his insatiable thirst for adventure. With a master’s degree in oceanography under his belt, he decided to trade fish for rocks—apparently, they’re more interesting! As our co-op’s general manager, François has shown incredible patience and ingenuity in orchestrating Riki Bloc’s big move to its new space—all to better serve the Rimouski community.
His certifications as a rock and ice climbing guide, as well as a route setter certified by the Fédération Québécoise de la Montagne et de l’Escalade (FQME), have helped establish Riki Bloc as a true reference for climbers. Even though we don’t see him hanging from the gym walls as much these days, François assures us he’s still secretly training in his basement. Do we believe him?
Xavier Brière
Operations coordinator
Back in his hometown after six years studying philosophy in Montreal and Europe (Sprechen Sie Deutsch?!), Xavier is rediscovering his region through the lens of climbing. Like many, his first taste of the sport came on plastic holds in an indoor gym (that cursed blue 5.4 was no joke!), but it was during a Riki Bloc discovery outing that he first got a taste of real rock. Since then, he’s been on a mission to add as many strings to his bow (and his rope bag) as possible to explore the vertical world—indoors, outdoors, boulders, ropes, rock, ice, bring it on! If he were doomed to climb an infinite loop of 5.9s, he’d still ask for one more go.
Thanks to the warm and welcoming climbing community that makes everyone feel instantly like part of the crew, Xavier sees Riki Bloc’s co-op mission as the best way to help climbing reach its full potential in the region. That’s what drives him to give his all to offer the best services possible to Rimouski’s climbers—young and old, gumbies and crushers alike!
Paul Gaillard
Head route setter
It all began in 2016, in his school gym, when Paul laid hands on his very first climbing hold. It was love at first grip! The sport quickly became a burning passion that led him beyond gym walls to explore the stunning rock faces of his native France. Since then, nothing has stopped him—bouldering, sport climbing, multi-pitch, deep water solo… indoors or outdoors, as long as he’s climbing!
In 2018, Paul brought his climbing shoes to Quebec to pursue his studies. After completing his college diploma in physiotherapy techniques in Chicoutimi, he settled in Rimouski, where he skillfully juggles his role as a physiotherapy technologist and head route setter at Riki Bloc.
Paul even managed to combine his two passions by focusing his final research project on climbing-related injuries. So, if an ache or pain is holding you back on the wall—don’t worry. Paul is your guy, ready to get you back in shape… and back on the holds!
Alexandre Blouin
Route setter
It was in late December 2019 that Alex first set foot in Riki Bloc. A lifelong athlete, he truly found his groove in bouldering. Starting out as a route setter and later joining the front desk team, Alex will greet you with a big smile when you visit the gym—and he’ll gladly pass on his passion for what he proudly calls “the best discipline in the world.”
He dreams of being Adam Ondra, but until that happens, he warms up by setting traverses across every inch of the bouldering walls at the gym.
His goal: cross Riki Bloc from one end to the other without touching the ground (and be as strong as Adam).
Camille Cloutier
Communications manager
Between climbing sessions and her hours working at the front desk, Camille spends about 85% of her time at Riki Bloc. Is she a strong climber? Not really. A good one? Sometimes. If the gym’s Instagram page had a major glow-up, you can thank her (very humbly, of course).
Originally hired for communications, marketing, and events, she also set up the café counter for Riki Bloc 2.0. Some even say it might be one of the best coffees in Rimouski!
Board of directors
Samuel Fournier
President
Samuel holds a college diploma in IT management from the Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles. Currently employed at Telus Mobility as a support center specialist since 2008, he has a strong analytical mindset and a solid network of contacts in the private sector. A lover of all things outdoors and a Riki Bloc climber since 2016, Samuel joined the Riki Bloc board of directors in 2018 to give his time and contribute to the co-op’s long-term growth and sustainability.
Patrick Raymond
Vice-president
Patrick joined the Riki Bloc team in early 2023, driven by his passion for climbing and the outdoors. He has been rock and ice climbing in the region for over 20 years. A travel enthusiast as well, he has combined both passions over the years to explore various international climbing destinations. As a project management team leader at Hydro-Québec for over 8 years, Patrick has been working in the construction field for more than 15 years. He hopes to bring his expertise in both climbing and project and construction management to Riki Bloc. His skills will be a valuable asset to the co-op’s ambitious development project.
Gauthier Cervello
Secretary
Gauthier is an outdoor enthusiast who has been climbing at Riki Bloc since it first opened in 2016. He holds a master’s degree in oceanography and currently works for Fisheries and Oceans Canada in Mont-Joli. Actively involved in the gym’s expansion, he hopes the co-op will continue to grow while staying closely attuned to the needs of its community.
Jean-Charles Ledeuil
Treasurer
Jean-Charles joined Riki Bloc’s board of directors in 2023. A climber for over 20 years, he was notably involved in the creation of the club La Grimpe dans l’Est. With a background in accounting, he hopes to support the co-op in its development and growth.
Xavier Brière
Administrator
Xavier holds the worker-member seat on the board of directors. Actively involved in day-to-day operations as the operations coordinator, he knows the co-op’s on-the-ground reality inside and out. The warm and welcoming climbing community was one of the many aspects of the sport that won him over instantly. He sees Riki Bloc’s cooperative mission as the ideal model to develop climbing to its full potential in the region and to foster mutual support among climbers.
Didier Eustache-Létourneau
Administrator
Didier currently works in coastal geography and is passionate about all kinds of outdoor activities. He’s also an active climber at Riki Bloc—if you climb there, you’ve probably crossed paths with him. Over the past few years, he’s seen how the climbing gym has sparked excitement for the sport, but also how it creates opportunities for meaningful connections among members. That’s what motivated him to join the board of directors in 2023—to contribute in a different way to this unique project that fosters a strong climbing community in Rimouski and beyond.
Laurianne Chabot
Secretary
A passionate climber for over 10 years, Laurianne is first and foremost a lover of outdoor climbing and adventure. She also works as an elementary school teacher, which brings a collaborative and educational approach to everything she does. At Riki Bloc, she hopes to contribute to the co-op’s growth and share her passion for climbing with all climbers, whether beginners or experienced.