New Penticton channel float business working to make tubing safer

PENTICTON – The operator of a new channel float service in Penticton is setting his sights on making the channel experience as safe as possible.

Nicolas Kruger of Float Penticton says he’s working on getting some kilometre markers up along the channel so that emergency workers will have an easier time locating an incident. For example, when incidents are reported, they can cite the closest marker so officials can find them more quickly. 

Kruger says he plans to begin installing the markers along the west bank of the channel next week, at his own cost.

Once the kilometre markers are in place, he hopes to infill with hal- kilometre markers at a later date.

“We care about the people and so we want to do what we can to make the river channel a safer place,” Kruger says.

Kruger recently launched an all-inclusive service for channel users, who can call his business to arrange for pickup at their location, taken to the channel and returned to their original location when finished.

He says operating the channel shuttle service and being "a part of something" has made him want to make the experience as safe as possible.

Kruger says he’s had a great start to the business, but says it’s been slow on the channel as July weather has been uncooperative so far.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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