An Afternoon Delight: Get Out the Paddles and Your Boat
Canoeing on Shannon Lake, just minutes from downtown Westbank - does it get any better than this?
|
by Deborah Greaves
Paddling, anyone?
Kayaking and canoeing are ancient methods of water transport that people centuries ago relied upon to live. Now, most of us have the luxury of being able to paddle simply for the pleasure and fitness. The Okanagan weather can be stormy and unpredictable, but much of the time, this is a heavenly place to paddle.
The experience of self-propelled adventure, if you’re entertaining friends or guests who are not seasoned paddlers, is a ‘Host’s hands-on’ operation. Guests and friends who haven’t paddled around here much won’t know where the lakes and bays are, let alone how to find the boat launches and other safe spots to put a watercraft in - so you’ll have to go along. This is one of the advantages of having company - they often need your help to have fun.
The "jelly bean" is loaded up and ready for an afternoon's adventure!
|
The option when you’re not able to get away is to find professional lessons or tours your friends can go on, so someone else will do the providing, instruction and worrying. Check the options through the Chamber of Commerce, Adventure Okanagan, or Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association to find the latest on what paddling tours and instruction are available this year near the Westside.
In a perfect world, there will be several boats available, so that you’ll be able to travel in a contented cluster. In the usual, less-than-perfect world, you’ll have a single canoe or kayak, and your friends will have to take turns.
If you have just one boat, we suggest that you take it to a beach that’s easy to access - a beach or park that has lawns, picnic tables, benches and pleasant areas in which to put some blankets down or play badminton.
Enjoying the company of a friend on Shannon Lake.
|
If you have wheels or a team of sturdy portagers, Shannon Lake Regional Park is perfect
You’ll need to carry the boat to the water, along the trails from either the parking lot off Shannon Lake Road or down the hillside pathways from subdivisions above the park. We’d highly recommend a set of wheels, available at outdoor stores that sell canoe or kayak accessories.
Shannon Lake Regional Park, listed also on the ExperienceWestbank.com parks and trails page, is a charming place to take friends, guests or yourself to paddle. It has all the attributes listed in the paragraph above to keep those left on shore contented, and the lake is pretty all year round.
In summertime, Western Red Painted Turtles as well as several species of fish may be seen swimming casually under your boat, and there are tiny pink flowers growing in the water all around the lakeshore. Paddling a canoe, kayak or belly boat around Shannon Lake is like paddling on a large water garden. A bonus is being able to watch the horses graze in a lakeside pasture, and check on the golfers at the holes closest to shore.
Deborah and Kiyah enjoying the view just off the shore along Okanagan Lake
|
If you want to enjoy wide open Lake Okanagan close to Westbank
You have to keep a close eye out for power boats, jet skis and water skiers in the warm months that you’re out on the Big Lake, but paddling on Lake Okanagan has its own rewards.
One option is Pebble Beach at the end of Whitworth Road… or the waterfront at Gellatly Nut Farm, the gate of which is at the beginning of Whitworth Road.
Other pleasant Westside options in the same area are the Dog Beach just downhill from the corner of Boucherie Road and Gellatly where you can put in with your dog, or the level area near the replica ferry docks.
Down farther toward the new condo development, the two beaches along Gellatly Road and the Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park have washrooms, but there aren’t any at Pebble Beach - so use the washrooms along Gellatly Road before heading down to Pebble Beach.
Pebble Beach, just about a twelve-minute drive from Highway 97 and Gellatly Road, offers thick soft grass to play on, and a level rocky beach that looks up to Goat’s Peak. You can paddle just a short distance from there toward Peachland in clear, shallow water, admiring the bluffs below Gellatly Heritage Park – though they’re blemished by graffiti- and the view of Okanagan Mountain Park on the other side of the lake. You can swim there, and put the boat in onto several natural beaches before you get close to private property. They are level and very pretty, despite the litter that tends to wash ashore.
Note: dogs are not allowed at Pebble Beach.
Closer to Lakeview Heights is another good place nearby to put in a boat if you and your friends want to go paddling on Lake Okanagan - Kalamoir Park. Drive to the bottom of Collens Hill and there’s a turn-around as well as a beach from which to launch. Kalamoir Park has outhouses, and dogs on leash are allowed.
One caution: while you’re on the lake in this popular area, keep an eye out for fast-moving power boats.
Kiyah in her own PFD (personal flotation device) - these can be purchased an major pet supply stores.
|
Further north on Lake Okanagan
Another delightful day trip you can make is along Westside Road to the Fintry area. There are other pleasant waterfront parks nearby, such as Bear Creek, Raymer, and Trader’s Cove Provincial Parks, but they may possibly be affected this year by the ongoing bridge construction. We’ll check them out as soon as we can, and let you know what we find.
Bear Creek allows dogs on leash away from the ‘people beach’, but we believe that Raymer and Trader’s Cove may not allow dogs at all.
About 45 minutes drive from Westbank, Fintry Provincial Park offers an almost level beach near the day picnic area, and you can slide your canoe or kayak into the water near an Eagle’s nest. (We will check on that nest soon, and let you know if it is still active.) The water around the delta area is clear and fairly shallow, and the beach is a great picnic and photo-taking spot. It’s also enjoyable to tour the area around the peninsula to see the waterfront homes from the lake. Dogs on leash are allowed on a designated section of the park beach.
Deborah's husband, Russ at Lambly Lake
|
Lakes in the forest – about 40 minutes drive from Highway 97 and Glenrosa
There are smaller lakes near and in Westbank to enjoy, too. Lambly is also called Bear Lake, and it’s close to Jack Pine Lake. You’d better bring along a map in case you can’t find them.
Both lakes are located in the mountains above Westbank, with some private businesses on their shores, but mostly natural beaches and shoreline with forest around them.
Deborah’s favourite is Lambly (Bear) Lake, due to a series of lovely islets. To find both, drive up Glenrosa Road past the Telemark Cross-Country Ski Club parking lot about another kilometre or two until you see a dirt road that swings off to the right, next to the large clearing where people toboggan in winter. There may- or may not- be a sign that says ‘Jack Pine Lake.’
So if your canoe has been collecting dust in your garage, or hiding out alongside the house or back fence, haul it out and start experiencing the Westside waterways!
|
These lakes are sometimes windy and impossible to paddle, but there are picnic tables, outhouses and forest service campgrounds there if you have time to wait for the calm. If paddling isn’t possible when you get there, these lakes are close enough to home that you can have an enjoyable short stay and a hike or swim and still be home for dinner.
Home Page
Introduction to the Westside and its growing businesses and amenities.
You don't have to cross the bridge to find us - a showcase of businesses, products, and services available on the Westside.
Walking and hiking trails, water fun, and winter adventures in Westbank, BC, the Westside and surrounding area.
Selecting a real estate agent, preparing your home for sale, nine sneaky clutter spots, moving tips, choosing a home in the Okanagan, and more.
