Get paddleboarding around Revelstoke

First published in the June issue of the Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine — distributed all around Revelstoke.

The paddle creases the still surface of Lake Revelstoke and water gently laps against the board as it cruises forward. It’s early evening and the mountain surroundings are silhouetted as the sun journeys towards the horizon. 

Paddleboarding is a sport but it’s also a chance to unwind and reenergize the soul in the spectacular healing powers of nature. 

Carmen Legate owns Stoke Paddleboard Adventures and she is a PaddleCanada certified SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) instructor and lifeguard, and a water baby at heart.

Legate first discovered paddleboarding on a trip to Cuba and she says fell in love with it. 

“I found it very relieving on the soul,” Legate says. “It didn’t matter what mood I was in. If I were angry or upset, I’d paddle hard and be more aggressive. If I was relaxed and happy I could just chill. You can do anything you want. I think that’s why I just love it.” 

Relax and enjoy an afternoon of paddleboarding. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer

Paddleboarding, the process of standing and paddling on an inflatable or fibreglass board, is more than just riding the surface of water. It can be a full body workout, toning the core, the legs and the shoulders. Speed racing and wave riding helps with this and anytime you get tired, you can lie down and take in the motion of the water. 

While there isn’t a wave park yet in Revelstoke, there’s an abundance of areas that people can get out and explore in. Legate has found most of the local sites and is now pushing her limits with ventures to the peaceful and stunning aspects of alpine lakes, hiking there with an inflatable paddleboard on her back. 

“There’s something being on the water and feeling that flowing, moving, energy beneath you,” Legate says. “It amazed me when I first moved here, there’s so much water everywhere and nobody is on it.” 

Legate is also preparing for a multi-day tour this summer, paddling from Mica Dam to Revelstoke Dam (130 km by road), camping along the way. 

“I average about seven kilometres an hour, if I’m really kinda givin’ her,” Legate says. 

The scenic background of Revelstoke provides a stress-free environment to relax on the water. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer

Paddleboarding’s multi-uses have also gained the interest of yogis. It’s generally easy not to fall into the water on the board, but trying yoga will put your practice to the test. Legate says although you might have your poses down pat on solid ground, balance on the water challenges the muscle memory. 

“As soon as I started to do them on the board I realized ‘oh I actually put a lot of weight on this toe or this part of the heel’, and you can’t do that on a paddleboard. It will throw your balance off,” Legate says. “I found it was a great way to reconnect, to find your balance.” 

Legate loves the flexibility of the sport, what you can do on it and where you can go and hopes more people get into it. 

“I feel like it’s for everybody,” she says. ” I’ve been taking my son out there with me, since he was six-years-old, and many people take their dogs.”  

With so many lakes and waterways near Revelstoke, paddleboarders are spoiled for choice. Photo: Nat Harris

Revelstoke paddleboard spots 

• Williamson’s Lake — this lake, found off Airport Way, is a popular tourist hangout. Since the water is warmer and calmer than Lake Revelstoke, it is a safe place to begin or to test out some tricks such as a pivot turn. 

• Revelstoke flats — more advanced paddleboarders will enjoy venturing across the Columbia River over to Begbie Falls. Legate recommends being aware of what B.C. Hydro is doing with the dam as a release may change conditions and increase debris. 

• Lake Revelstoke — the first boat launch above the dam is great if you have about two hours to spend. Legate recommends checking out the waterfalls along the way and, if you have the energy, head further along to watch the rock climbers at Waterworld.

• Also any spot along way on Highway 23N, such as Carnes Creek, are beautiful places to launch. Legate recommends watching the conditions on Lake Revelstoke as although the lake can be glass calm, the wind can change and suddenly there will be small waves to navigate. Lake Revelstoke has a lot of arms along the sides to find safety, and exploration, if need be.

• Wap Lake — A peaceful lake outside of Revelstoke. After the 3 Valley Gap Ghost Town, take the Wap Lake Forest Service Road (fine for 2WDs in summer) for about 20 minutes up to the lake.  

• Echo Lake — Another warm water lake that is calm and great for beginners. Travel down Airport Way towards the end. Take the last left turn up a forestry road (fine for 2WDs in summer) and after about 10-minutes, a sign on the left will indicate the Echo Lake turnoff. 

 Paddleboard tours and rentals 

• Glacier House Resort — 1870 Glacier Lane, 250-837-9594 
• Free Spirit Sports — 203 First Street West, 250-837-9453. 
• Stoke Paddleboard Adventures — Carmen – 250-814-7807