PCL Construction help the club insert their dock into the North Saskatchewan River. (Submitted photo/Dwight Bergstrom)

By Ian Gustafson

Summer approaches

Kistahpinanihk Paddling Club planning for season with summer around the corner

May 23, 2021 | 10:00 AM

As the temperatures rise and summer approaches, the Kistahpinanihk Paddling Club are preparing for their season.

With help from PCL Construction, the club inserted their dock using a forklift into the North Saskatchewan River, which is usually a multi-person job.

Dwight Bergstrom, program coordinator for the club said they have begun selling memberships for the season. The first program they start with, which has already begun, is a Wednesday night paddle where a couple dozen people meet for a 6 p.m. paddle.

“With this darn COVID thing, we’ve got restrictions by Sask. Health and Canoe Kayak Sask. and that kind of thing, so we’re just going to roll out how we’re going to work the complete part of our program here within the next week or so,” Bergstrom said.

In the first few weeks of June, the club will also be doing summer staff training for their youth paddling program. Most of their child programs will kick into gear in June and July when they’re out of school.

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Before the end of the month, they plan on doing a large group paddle.

“Usually, we go upstream and paddle back to the boathouse and have a wiener roast and a bit of a social,” he said.

Bergstrom explained the paddling club is well suited to be an outlet for a COVID-19 safe activity, adding if two people want to use a canoe, they can easily socially distance.

“The canoes, they’re carrying out are usually 16-17 feet long, so they’re spaced out. They can carry them out, put them in the water, and away they go, and we don’t have large numbers of people inside the boat house at anytime,” Bergstrom said. “It is a good sport for doing that kind of thing.”

Those with questions about the club can email dwight@sasktel.net or visit Kistahpinanihk Paddling Club Facebook page for updates on the season.

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Ian.gustafson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @iangustafson12