As summer temperatures bring more people out onto Okanagan Lake, the Kelowna RCMP are increasing their enforcement efforts on the water—particularly when it comes to paddleboarders.

In collaboration with the RCMP’s West Coast Marine Services, local officers conducted a four-day operation at the end of July to ensure compliance with water safety regulations.

On Saturday, July 26, officers responded to a distress call involving two paddleboarders stranded near the William R. Bennett Bridge during a high-wind event. The pair were located clinging to a yellow buoy on the north side of the bridge and were safely rescued by police.

“We were fortunate that one of the paddle boarders was able to call 911 and that neither sustained injury—despite not having any safety equipment on board, includi

See Full Page