What Makes Paddling in BC So Unique
Summer weather is in full swing, which means it’s time to arm yourself with paddles and set off on an adventure on the waterways. If you’re well-versed in the worlds of outdoor adventures that BC has to offer, then it shouldn’t come as a surprise that this province has some of the most unique paddling experiences in Canada—but often, it slips our minds just how lucky we are to be in the province that’s perfect for paddling. From whitewater rafting to kayak fishing, here are some of the things that make paddling in BC such a unique experience.
Fair Weather
Flickr/Richard Powell (CCby-SA2.0)
You’ve seen it on the internet—Calgarians, Torontonians and the rest of the country trashing Vancouverites for our reactions when we get the smallest dusting of snow (it’s not our fault we don’t see as much snow as you guys!). The mildness of our climate may mean that we see rain more often than we’d like to, but it also means that pretty much any time of year can be perfect for paddling.
“Paddling in Newfoundland was . . . brrr. It was cold all the time,” Vince Hempsall of PaddleBC said. “[In BC], not only are people paddling, but there are actually guided trips happening during the winter months as well. It just goes to speak to how mild the temperatures are here that tourists still want to go paddling.”
While summertime is perfect for paddling, you can still check out the waterways on a kayak or SUP when there’s snow on the ground. British Columbia’s mild climate makes being out on the ice-glazed water a little more bearable, making it infamous for year-round paddling opportunities.
A Plethora of Paddling Possibilities
From daredevilish whitewater rafting to SEA-ing orca whales while sea kayaking, the paddling opportunities in BC are endless. Heli-rafting is offered just outside of Golden. Here, helicopters can be hired to drop paddlers off on the shores of the Kicking Horse River for a day of exciting whitewater rafting.
“Heli-rafting isn’t offered anywhere else in the country,” Hempsall said.
While Canada may be renowned for its canoe circuits, Hempsall shared what makes BCs different from the others. Here, canoe circuits can begin at the base of a mountain and continue throughout the bottom.
“[If] you go do Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit [ . . . ] mountains are always there. You can always see them. It’s unique. Even Alberta doesn’t have canoe circuits to that extent where you can see the mountains and yet you’re paddling in the valleys between them on a circuit.”
Hempsall also recommended Moccasin Tours for a deep dive into the storied waterways near Kamloops and Takaya Tours for Salish sea canoe tours.
SEA Many Different Species
Flickr/Elizabeth Pector (CCby2.0)
Being located right on the water makes for some surprise species sightings when paddling around the province. Some of the creatures in BC are rarely found in any other province—and yet some may be roaming around right in our backyards.
“Orca whales, sea lions, grizzly bears… you go up to a place like Great Bear Rainforest and you can see them all in a day,” Hempsall said. “The fact that people can hop on their paddle boards in Victoria and paddle out and see orca whales is pretty fantastic.”
British Columbia is also home to plenty of kayak fishing, which Hempsall described as “one of the fastest growing paddle sports in North America right now.”
BC is the only province where you can catch five different species of salmon or even a 10-foot sturgeon—though you’ll have to release it if you manage to snag one. When kayak fishing in BC, you’ll never know what might tug on your line.
“A guy out of Lethbridge was kayak fishing the Fraser River [ . . . ] and he caught a white sturgeon that was longer than his kayak,” Hempsall shared. “It’s amazing stuff.”
Flickr/Dale Simonson (CCby-SA2.0)
Salmon and sturgeon aren’t the only catchable creatures in BC—trout, halibut, rockfish and more can be found in the waters around the province. However, even if you’re located near the city hubs, you don’t have to travel deep into the interior to catch fresh shellfish.
“[People can] paddle out from English Bay and drop crab pots off, and then come back in the afternoon to collect their fresh crab. That’s insane!”
Hidden Gems
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Visitors and Vancouverites alike are sure to break out their paddles during British Columbia’s sunny summers, but oftentimes the most popular paddling routes get busy quickly. The Kicking Horse and Cheakamus Rivers certainly provide beautiful views, though both tend to expect large crowds. For those looking for more private, hidden waterways, Hempsall recommended a few experiences.
“What people don’t know is that Fernie has the Elk River and the Bow River, which are, in my opinion, even better rivers—and there’s lots of different operators offering guided excursions [ . . . ] You just don’t hear about it as often.”
While the Sunshine Coast may be known for its saltwater paddling at places such as Desolation Sound, Howe Sound and the Jervis Inlet, it’s also home to the Powell Forest Canoe Route. Hempsall described this 60-kilometre, eight-lake circuit as “one of the best freshwater canoe circuits in the province.”
“[It has] lots of incredible views and no people,” Hempsall said.
REO Rafting Resort near Hope is also a hidden, yet unique experience that paddlers are certain to enjoy. A stay at this resort entitles you to a day filled with rafting, yoga and glamping. With a private beach (with beach volleyball), nature trails and a hot tub, it’s a great place for families with children of all ages to enjoy.
If you’re like me, you know the importance of the morning cup of joe—and there’s a paddling experience that incorporates that, too! The Kelowna Paddle Trail takes paddlers past the shops and cafes of downtown Kelowna, allowing you to hop off your SUP and take a quick jaunt through the streets.
“You can literally hop off your SUP, go grab a latte and jump back on and continue this 27-kilometre circuit,” Hempsall said.
Encouraging Future Generations
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It’s not often than parents can bring children out on a canoe and paddle through the valleys of mountains. As a kid, I remember renting a pedal boat and circling Burnaby’s Deer Lake while thinking about how cool it was to be out near the water. Having access to these unique waterways introduces the next generation to experiences that they can pass down as well.
“It’s pretty fantastic because the second [my kids] get into the canoe it’s like […] they’re enraptured,” Hempsall said. “I learned how to paddle before I learned how to ride a bike—and so now, being able to pass that on, it’s pretty special. It doesn’t matter anymore how far I go or seeing new places, its more about sharing it […] it’s pretty special being able to share paddling with the next generation.”
This extensive list of paddling opportunities in BC only scratches the surface of the other things Hempsall wanted to share. Thankfully, Paddle BC makes it much easier to scope out the array of canoeing, kayaking and rafting that’s available to us here in BC.
“It seems like every aspect of BC has been well represented in terms of destination marketing [so] it’s about time paddling gets its heyday.”
Find your perfect paddling experience here.
More on paddling:
The Happy Camper: Canoeing Canada’s Mississippi River, Part 1
Is Backcountry Canoe Camping With a Baby Worth It?
