July 2008 — VOLUME 6 ISSUE 7
Pick up a paddle
Take advantage of the summer sunshine and enjoy an afternoon paddling around one of the 200 lakes surrounding Kamloops and Sun Peaks.
Paddling is a versatile sport. Almost anyone can do it and there are so many forms it leaves one short of excuses not to give it a try.
Dale Anderson, owner of Ocean Pacific Watersports in Kamloops, has been kayaking for over 10 years and says it's mainly the serenity of being out in the natural world that makes the non-impact sport so compelling.
"You get away from it all," he says. "You can also get away from most of the [motorized] boats because kayaks can access smaller lakes, you can see wildlife and enjoy the peace and quiet."
Ocean Pacific Watersports kayak instructor Rena Whitehouse explains that kayaking is a great sport even if you have injuries or aren't in the greatest physical shape.
"You can go as hard as you want or as soft as you want," she says. "I've had quite a few knee surgeries and I couldn't do sports which were dependent on me using my legs. Kayaking was one of those sports where I could go for five hours and get out of my boat and still walk the next day."
Kayaking, and most canoeing equipment is often made out of lighter material like Kevlar or fibreglass, making it easier for someone to pack a boat from their vehicle to the water without much stress.
Kevin Tessier, owner of the North West Voyageur Company at Sun Peaks, conducts historic and wildlife viewing tours of lakes near Sun Peaks. He says he likes to focus on McGillivray Lake in particular due to its historical name and notes paddling around the lake is a safe and wonderful way to see animals in natural habitats.
"There's quite a bit of wildlife at McGillivray Lake, it's a pretty healthy ecosystem," he says. "We've seen osprey, lynx, cougars, moose, bears, bald eagles and beavers."
Paddling is an eco-sensitive form of exercise that can be enjoyed alone or with a group and has few prerequisites besides basic skills and safety equipment. However, Tessier recommends people still practise safe paddling at all times.
"People often get quite caught up in the elements, especially in the mountains where things change so fast," he says of the varying alpine weather. "Know where you're going, always wear PFDs (personal flotation devices), and take some warm clothes-people underestimate the temperature of the water."
Paddling can burn around 400 calories per hour, while strengthening key core muscles. Yet, as Tessier explains, there's no stress involved and you're in full control.
"The beautiful thing about paddling is that you can make it as hard or as easy as you want."
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