Photo courtesy of VSAR / Facebook

By Liam Verster

Canoe Rescue

Good samaritans rescued capsized canoer on Kal Lake

Sep 26, 2025 | 9:38 AM

A canoer who went overboard on Kalamalka Lake was rescued thanks to some quick action by other lake users Tuesday evening.

Vernon Search and Rescue (VSAR) responded on the evening of Sept. 23 after receiving reports of a canoe capsizing on the lake.

The search team launched from Kekuli Bay to go rescue the canoer, only to find they had already been picked up by some other boaters.

“On our arrival at the canoe, we learned that a passing kayaker had witnessed the situation and made their way over to assist, but with limited success. They were eventually joined by a passing pontoon boat, and with a full flotilla of Good Samaritans, they were able to get the canoe righted and the paddler out of the water,” VSAR said in a social media post.

“We rounded out the ordeal with a transfer of the paddler and canoe to our boats for some dry blankets, a checkover by our first aid personnel, and then a quick ride back to the boat launch.”

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VSAR thanked the bassing boaters for their quick work to help the canoer, and also commended the paddler for wearing a lifejacket.

“So often we see this not the case, and the outcome could have been so much worse, even though all the other stars lined up with unseasonably warm weather, remaining daylight, favorable lake conditions, and other boaters on the lake. Well done,” VSAR stated.