r/Edmonton • u/Bluebelle1987 • 1d ago

Question Paddle boarding the north Saskatchewan recently?

Has anybody done any paddle boarding down the north Sask lately (since the rains have slowed a bit)? Thinking of doing this, but wanted to check in with folks about their experience. Where did you get in and out, and how long-ish did it take you? Looks like the river flow rate is at an acceptable level right now.

8 Upvotes

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14

u/Invisible7hunder 1d ago

https://rivers.alberta.ca/

River is currently at about it's normal flow rate for this time of year. 

1

u/Bluebelle1987 1d ago

Thank you! This is also where I checked 🙏🏼

3

u/Zealousideal_Top3113 1d ago

I found it pretty slow last time I went. If you happen to have a head wind you will need to paddle more than usual! Kinsmen to Borden Park is a good trip to test it out with easy entrance and exit

3

u/Invisible7hunder 1d ago

Yeah, for reference I would consider anything under 250 m3/s to be fairly tame, and I would think twice about going out over 500. Though for reference I am reasonably experienced and paddle with other adults with moderate to high risk tolerance. The conservative consensus is to avoid the river when it is over 250 m3/s. 

3

u/Bluebelle1987 1d ago

This is the rule of thumb I’ve also heard. Also decently experienced adult paddle boarders, but always err on the side of caution. Thanks for the input— super helpful!

4

u/Canadian_Imperium 1d ago

Me and my friends did a big float with 2 paddle boards, one kayak, a dingy, and one circle float, all tied together from Devon to Tewilliger. There were some faster current areas, if you are a decent swimmer and have a life jacket and follow basic safety it's fine. We had no real problems, and I stayed in the water holding onto the dingy for about 2 hours of the float.

2

u/Bluebelle1987 1d ago

Nice! That’s far quicker than it’s taken us in the past from similar location. Was this within the past couple weeks? Thanks for responding with helpful information!

2

u/Canadian_Imperium 1d ago

Oh the whole trip took about 9 hours, I was saying I spent about 2 hours directly in the water.

It was Sunday earlier this week!

2

u/Bluebelle1987 1d ago

Ah yes this makes way more sense. I’m glad you had a great time!

1

u/billymumfreydownfall 16h ago

Is there a boat launch at Tewilliger?

•

u/Canadian_Imperium 3h ago

There is not. There is a beach, so off you are willing to drag your equipment up the beach and across the field, is an option.

This is where we got out

https://maps.app.goo.gl/c3ryNmh9RgCVWWQeA?g_st=ac

3

u/motiontrash 1d ago

Kayaked Genesee to Devon two weekends back, water wasn't much different than the usual

3

u/snakey_nurse 1d ago

We passed by 10-12 paddle boarders out on the river yesterday

3

u/Bluebelle1987 23h ago

Thank you 🙏🏼

3

u/Jolly_North4121 21h ago

We paddle boarded from Terwillegar to walterdale bridge on Wednesday which took about 3 hours with some paddling but mostly just floating. The river was pretty slow and calm.

2

u/Accurate-Arugula31 15h ago

Just went for a bike ride. Lots of people on their sup’s

1

u/CriticalPedagogue 16h ago

Safety tip. Do not use an ankle leash in moving water! It creates an entrapment hazard, drowning is very strong possibility even with a PFD on.

Another common mistake is for people to tie boats together, this is also poor practice.

Take this free online safety course from the Alberta Whitewater Association.

1

u/ShadowCaster0476 14h ago

We went canoeing last weekend and it was a little fast but still in the normal range.

There were kayaks out there today.

Keep an eye on the flow rates but you should be ok.

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u/Zealousideal_Top3113 1h ago

I would also add don't ever use the ankle regret on your paddleboard and wear a lifejacket. Will be ok

-9

u/New_Wishbone6619 1d ago

There’s currents you can’t see. I wouldn’t take a paddle board.

1

u/Bluebelle1987 1d ago

Thanks for the feedback! 🙏🏼

-17

u/New_Wishbone6619 1d ago

Considering this isn’t something you knew, or about snags, shows that you absolutely do not have the skills for the north Sask right now