Boating, Sailing,
Canoeing and Sea Kayaking on Kootenay Lake
Like a long, slender sliver of serenity,
fringed with ancient rock, waterfalls and
glacial streams and sandwiched between the
snow-clad Selkirk and Purcell Mountains,
Kootenay Lake is a boater’s dream.
At 120 kilometres from north to south, with
an extra arm reaching westward toward the
Arrow Lakes, there’s lots of room
for roaming. Many sheltered bays, especially
on the eastern shore, provide natural harbours,
and beaches, campgrounds, historical sites
and quaint lakeside villages offer ideal
day-tripping destinations.
Boaters should know, however, that Kootenay
Lake can be wild and unpredictable. At just
2 – 6 kilometres in width, the fjord-like
waterway, hemmed in by 1,800 metre mountain
walls, forms a narrow wind tunnel; when
breezes rise (as they do almost every afternoon),
morning calm gives way to wind and waves.
Furthermore, weather systems can develop
quickly on Kootenay Lake, with little warning
of impending change. All water craft
operators should be prepared for hazardous
conditions. They should also stay clear
of the Kootenay Lake ferries that cross
the lake several times a day between Balfour
and Kootenay Bay.
Power Boating: Kootenay
Lake was a marine performance centre for
speedboats in the 1930’s and 1940’s.
(Nelson resident Lou Gilbert set a World
Speed record in his class in 1933; his boat,
the Ladybird, is part of a special
exhibit of Kootenay Lake pleasure boating
at the Nelson Museum.)
Motorboat rentals are available at marinas
around the lake. The Kootenay Lake
Poker Run, between Nelson and Kaslo,
takes place each year in early June.
Sailing: Late-day
winds that blow down the lake may present
problems for mid-lake canoeists and kayakers,
but they are a boon to Kootenay Lake sailors
who depend on the daily breezes to fill
their sails. The Kootenay Lake Sailing Association
promotes recreational and competitive sailing
on the lake. Annual events include the Gray
Creek Regatta, held each Labour
Day weekend at Gray Creek, just south of
Crawford Bay, and the Kokanee Cup
Lake Race, at Pilot Bay in mid-September.
Paddling:
Popular canoeing and sea kayaking outings
on Kootenay Lake include tours of the sheltered
West Arm, in the vicinity of Nelson
and Balfour, day-trips from Balfour to the
Queen’s Bay and Irvine Creek
to the south, Coffee Creek
to the north, and multi-day loops across
the lake to Pilot Bay,
with its scenic peninsula, Crawford
Bay, known for its artisan’s
shops. Ainsworth Hot Springs,
on the lake’s west side, is also a
popular destination for paddlers crossing
the lake from Riondel,
site of the historic Bluebell Mine. An alternative
loop from the west-shore village of Kaslo,
around the lake’s north end, passes
by landmarks such as Davis Creek/Lost
Ledge Provincial Park, Argenta, Johnson’s
Landing and Lardeau.
Several small beaches and creek mouths in
the area are suitable for overnight camping,
but services are limited.
Guided canoeing and kayaking tours, kayaking
lessons and equipment rentals are available
in Kaslo and Balfour. Outings range from
short paddles in the protected West Arm
to 5-day tours of the entire lake.
Early starts are advised for Kootenay Lake
paddlers; winds pick up later in the day,
making lake crossings difficult. |
