Paddle boarder spotted on icy South Thompson River in Kamloops

You may think stand-up paddle boarding is a sport best suited for warm summer days, but one thrill-seeker in Kamloops couldn’t wait and decided to hit the icy river waters.

Brendan Shaw’s kids spotted the paddle boarder from the backyard of their family home yesterday, Feb. 17.

Shaw snapped a photo of the paddle boarder, who is seen paddling beside a big ice sheet on the South Thompson River.

“I’ve seen kayakers before in the winter, but never a paddle boarder,” Shaw says.

Shaw says despite the distance, it appeared the paddle boarder was wearing a wetsuit, but he couldn’t see a lifejacket.

If you zoom in, there is actually someone paddle boarding right now in Kamloops. pic.twitter.com/bwa0eQENhi

— Brendan Shaw (@brendanshawbc) February 17, 2020

Kamloops Fire Rescue Platoon Captain Daryl Cooper urges people to keep clear of the river when ice is present.

“We’d prefer if people took caution,” Cooper says. “We encourage everybody to stay off the river when there’s ice on the river, and we’re really trying to get that message out.”

Cooper says canoeing and kayaking are more common winter river sports, but he encourages anyone wanting to get on the river, be it winter or summer, to take a river safety course.

“If you’re strong on a paddle board you might think you’re OK, but if you fall into that icy river, the (gasp) reflex can take your breath away,” Cooper says. “It’s not safe.”

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