The serenity of the day was in contrast to the chilling winds and high waves that swamped the friends' open double kayak and claimed their lives - the difference in conditions as diverse as the two friends' personalities.
Mr Firdion, who had just graduated from the Language School New Zealand in Queenstown, was described as quiet and shy while Mr Soubriet, a FreshChoice supermarket checkout operator, was remembered as an outgoing young man, who was quick to embrace school manager, Chloe Rowe, after another student - South Korean Jeon Park (23) - was killed when thrown from a van on the West Coast on November 13.
About 80 people attended the remembrance service, representing countries from around the world.
Cesar Lechemia, also of France, knew both men, albeit briefly.
He was one of the many who spoke.
"I can't believe what happened to these guys - after one month they found a place in my heart. In New Zealand they were my brothers, my family," he said.
Marek Beranek, of the Czech Republic, was there with Mr Firdion from their first day at the language school.
The two friends also flatted together in Queenstown.
Even though the pair had known one another for just three months, grief had taken an obvious toll on Mr Beranek, who also spoke yesterday.
Otago-Southland coroner David Crerar has confirmed both men died as a result of asphyxia by drowning.
Although a formal decision has yet to be made, a coronial inquiry is expected after the postmortem report and information is received and police have finalised details of their investigation.
