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This beachside activity is gaining popularity in Kelowna

Water activities surge with increasing temperatures

With summer in full swing in the Okanagan, and temperatures already soaring into the low 30s, basking in the heat or trying to beat it, are on people's minds.

Whether it’s on a stand-up paddle board, a kayak, or a water trike, Okanagan Lake offers everything you need to do both.

“The last couple of days have been crazy busy,” Olivia MacDonald, with Okanagan Beach Rentals, told Kelowna10. “We’ve had so many more people come up asking questions about renting. [Sunday] we ran out of boards because we were so busy.”

She said the most popular attraction has been stand-up paddle boards. They have become a summer staple as they are not only fun, but increase core strength, help with balance, are low impact, and offer overall great exercise.

“They’re different. They’re trendy. Everyone’s getting their own. Everyone’s trying yoga and all different sorts of moves on them,” MacDonald said. “They’re fun to try, not something everyone owns or has access to. It’s just something different.”

According to a 2018 survey by Tourism Kelowna, a combined 20 per cent of visitors came to the city for outdoor activities and water-based recreation.

MacDonald said the rental hubs can see upwards of 500 people a day at the peak. But whether they’re from Kelowna or not, when they get out of the water, they’re immediately hooked.

“They’re all super excited when they come back wanting to go again already or take a second hour,” MacDonald said. “Everybody always has a huge smile on their face. Laughing and having the best stories to tell when they come back.”

Published 2022-06-27 by Connor Chan

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