An unforgettable week for our Hardriven ambassadors: Guillaume Rivest and Jacob Van Geel
What a week it has been for our Hardriven ambassadors, Guillaume Rivest and Jacob Van Geel!
It all started with a long drive from Toronto to Montreal, where they trained on the Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 FIVB courts and stayed ready as emergency substitutes for the qualification rounds. Their patience and determination paid off when they got the chance to face the Australian team of Mark Nicolaidis and Izac Carracher, Olympians who competed at the most recent Games in Paris.
photo credit : Beach Pro Tour
It was an immense challenge against the toughest opponents they had ever faced. Guillaume and Jacob gave everything they had on the Montreal sand. While they didn’t come out on top, the experience will forever remain a milestone: competing on such a prestigious international stage, at home, in front of family and friends, was a true accomplishment in their young careers.
With barely any time to catch their breath, they were back on the road to Toronto for the Canadian National Beach Volleyball Championships. Long hours of travel, but also valuable time to reflect on everything they had learned from this first taste of international competition.
Despite the emotional highs and the fatigue, they managed to reset quickly. Their pool play ended with one win and one loss, leaving them with a tough path to the finals. But nothing could slow them down. Match after match, they fought their way forward, eliminating strong teams to reach the gold medal match.
photo credit : Michael Chisholm
In the semifinals, they defeated the talented duo Cameron Chadwick and Robert Kemp, before capturing the title in the final against Luke De Greeff and Tynan Gannett. Both teams, just like them, had also taken part in the Beach Pro Tour qualifiers. And this time, they went all the way: a first-ever Canadian National Championship gold medal for Guillaume and Jacob!
photo credit : Michael Chisholm
An achievement that reflects every hour of training, every trip, every sacrifice, and every drop of sweat poured into this summer.
This week was a true showcase of resilience, mental toughness, hard work, and passion. Guillaume and Jacob continue to shine brightly, and we are confident this is only the beginning of their journey—first on the Canadian stage, and soon, the international one.
At Hardriven, we couldn’t be prouder to support them. Two athletes full of talent, but above all, two men of class, humility, and determination.
Congratulations Guillaume and Jacob on an unforgettable week. The future is bright!
