(Facebook/Thompson Rivers Interior Paddle Sports Club - TRIPS).

By Aaron Schulze

Keeping It Reel

Canoe and kayak clubs petitioning for additional safety signage along South Thompson River

Jun 9, 2021 | 12:42 PM

KAMLOOPS — A partnership of six different canoe and kayak clubs in Kamloops is calling for additional safety signage along the South Thompson River between Riverside Park and the Highway 5 bridge.

A petition from the Kamloops Paddling Partnership to the City of Kamloops, Kamloops RCMP, and other agencies, has garnered over 300 signatures since launching in late May.

Keiran Rankin, vice president of Thompson Rivers Interior Paddle Sports Club, said the call comes after close, dangerous encounters with some motorboat drivers.

“We’re asking for better signage for the river to increase awareness that there are paddlers and other users on the river, and for people to use caution,” Rankin said. “Avoid making wake, stunting, or water skiing in the very busy areas – particularly around Pioneer Park – and to slow down a little bit. Especially as they’re passing underneath the Red Bridge and the CN Bridge where the space is narrow, and the visibility is reduced. I would like to say most motorboat users are respectful and responsible, but there are a number who are driving exceptionally fast or doing stunts.”

Rankin believes updated signage will help educate water motorists to slow down in busier areas of the South Thompson River, comparing it to school zone and cyclist signs on roads. The Kamloops Paddling Partnership would also like to see the RCMP continue enforcing existing regulation and educating people if they’re acting dangerously.

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“We’re not asking for a prescribed speed limit restriction… we’re looking at more of an educational approach to having that kind of signage that asks people to use their judgement and to slow down and watch and expect for paddlers and other users on the river,” Rankin said.

The Kamloops Paddling Partnership hasn’t made contact with government officials or agencies, as they’re in the public consultation stage. But Rankin said their plan at the end of June is to collect as many signatures on their petition as they can, and forward a letter to the city and RCMP.