Photo Credit: Destination BC/Andrew Strain
Vernon is fast becoming one of the top SUP destinations in Canada. During the summer you'll find our lakes dotted with standup paddleboarders. Our calm bays and easy equipment rental make getting out on the water a breeze.
Bring your own or rent from Kalavida Surf Shop (across from Kal Beach). As BC's original SUP-focused shop, Kalavida offers a diversity of lessons, tours, kids programs along with a compliment of retail board sales and surf wear. Learn advance techniques from Lina Augaitis, a Canadian SUP World Champion. Kalavida also offers full SUP demonstration services on Kalamalka Lake Beach.
If you are looking for kayak rentals, see Innerspace Watersports (on the east side of Kal Beach).
You don’t want to miss out on SUP Wahine Wednesday’s in the summer. The ladies of the lake launch from Kal Beach. Each week has something a little different. Enjoy a sunset paddle, storytelling, yoga moves and a cruise along the Okanagan Rail Trail. Drop in to Kalavida Surf Shop between 5 and 5:45 pm each Wednesday. Warm up is from 5:30 to 5:50 and then the adventure begins. Visit their website for more information on Wahine Wednesdays.
Vernonites love SUP so much we even have a festival to celebrate it! The Kalamalka Classic Stand Up Paddleboard Festival is Canada's largest SUP festival. It had to be cancelled in 2020; however, it looks promising for 2021. Dates for 2021 will either be August 28/29 or September 4/5. Check the Kalamalka Classic website for details as the dates draw near.
Even if you don't participate, you're sure to catch the aloha spirit as you cheer at the events or dance on the beach.