Kalamalka Lake is my weekend destination for kayaking, canoeing and… dragon boat racing!
The
North end of Kalamalka Lake will host dragon boat racing this coming
weekend. Boats will race West to East. This picture is from
my April visit which will explain why there are green plants in the
picture. – photo Todd Wong
This weekend, the Gung Haggis Fat Choy dragon boat team heads to
Kalamalka Lake for dragon boat racing. It is one of the most
beautiful lakes I have seen in BC, and I love canoeing and kayaking on
it.
Previously, all I knew about Kalamalka Lake had been that it was South
of Vernon, BC. My family went on ski vacations to Silver Star resort
when I was in Grade 5, 6, 7 and 11. I even broke my left leg (fibula)
skiing in grade 6.
My girlfriend's parents live on the East side of Kalamalka Lake, near
the entrance to Kalalmalka Lake Provincial Park. During the past few
years, I have enjoyed hiking, canoeing and kayaking in the park, in the
summer, fall, winter and spring.
When I first drove past Kalamalka Lake as an adult, it was the summer
of 2003. I had just returned to BC, from the inaugural dragon
boat races at Sellwood Park in Portland Oregon. I drove
slowly by the beach area, marveling at the docks on the west side of
the beach. Maybe they would be perfect for use for a dragon boat
race. The sand was white and clean. It looked perfect for a
dragon boat race.
Fast forward two years to 2005, and the Greater Vernon Dragon Boat
Races took place over two days in July. The event was organized
by the Calgary Dragonboat Club. We couldn't get enough paddlers
from the Gung Haggis team up to Vernon for the weekend, so Peggy joined
a local Vernon team, and I volunteered with the dock crew. Only
the Pacific Reach team made the journey from Vancouver. Most
teams were from Vernon, along with crews from Kelowna, Kamloops, Salmon
Arm, Penticton and Oosooyoos. Check my 2005 story: Dragon Boat racing in Vernon's inaugural DB race on Kalamalka Lake
This weekend's weather is going to be hot, with temperatures hitting 40
degrees Celsius. Looks like a great way to stay cool by
paddling on a lake.
