Swimming

The Canadian Red Cross announced earlier this month it was ‘winding down’ its swimming and lifeguard lessons through 2022, marking the end of a program that taught water safety to millions of Canadians over a 75-year stretch. (Photo by The Canadian Press)

Waves of nostalgia for Canadians taught to swim by Red Cross as program winds down

2022 will mark end of a program that taught water safety to millions of Canadians over 75 years

The Canadian Red Cross announced earlier this month it was ‘winding down’ its swimming and lifeguard lessons through 2022, marking the end of a program that taught water safety to millions of Canadians over a 75-year stretch. (Photo by The Canadian Press)
Bob Wilkins heads back to shore after an exhilarating splash in Shuswap Lake on New Year’s Day in Canoe. (Photo contributed)

Welcoming the New Year by taking a Polar Plunge into Shuswap Lake

A small group of individuals endures a fast dip in the frigid waters of Shuswap Lake on Jan. 1

Bob Wilkins heads back to shore after an exhilarating splash in Shuswap Lake on New Year’s Day in Canoe. (Photo contributed)
The Vernon Aquatic Centre will be closed for its annual three-week maintenance period from Aug. 26 to Sept. 16. (City of Vernon - photo)

Proof of vaccination now required at Vernon pool

New rules for 12 and up, public gym also closed

The Vernon Aquatic Centre will be closed for its annual three-week maintenance period from Aug. 26 to Sept. 16. (City of Vernon - photo)
The Polar Bear Dip, a New Year’s Day tradition in Summerland, will return for Jan. 1, 2022. The 2021 dip was cancelled because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (Black Press file photo)

Summerland Polar Bear Dip to return

Jan. 1 event at Sunoka Beach will welcome in the new year

The Polar Bear Dip, a New Year’s Day tradition in Summerland, will return for Jan. 1, 2022. The 2021 dip was cancelled because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. (Black Press file photo)
Two moms and eight kids aged five to 15 took advantage of the record-setting temperature Wednesday, Dec. 1, to take a dip in Kal Lake. (Contributed)

Warm North Okanagan weather results in December lake dip

Two moms, eight kids use beauty day to go for brief swim and pier jump in Coldstream’s Kal Lake

Two moms and eight kids aged five to 15 took advantage of the record-setting temperature Wednesday, Dec. 1, to take a dip in Kal Lake. (Contributed)
Morning Star file photo The Vernon swimming pool will host free events Sunday and Monday.

COVID-19 vaccinations required for parents at Vernon pool

Additional revisions made to provincial health officer’s order on gatherings and events this week

Morning Star file photo The Vernon swimming pool will host free events Sunday and Monday.
Beachgoers relax in the sun at Kal Lake Beach in Coldstream on July 23, 2020. (Justin Ketterer - Contributed)

Safe to swim at Kal Beach in Coldstream

Latest Interior Health samples show acceptable bacteria counts

Beachgoers relax in the sun at Kal Lake Beach in Coldstream on July 23, 2020. (Justin Ketterer - Contributed)
Beach goers have been urged to refain from swimming at Kal Beach for two weeks. (Contributed)

Swimming still not recommended at popular North Okanagan beach

Algae bloom also causes cautionary drinking water notification

Beach goers have been urged to refain from swimming at Kal Beach for two weeks. (Contributed)
Kids take the plunge at Camp Qwanoes’ Aqua Park. (Photo submitted)

Several campers and staff test positive for COVID-19 at B.C. kids summer camp

Crofton’s Camp Qwanoes executive director hopeful a day camp can still proceed next week

Kids take the plunge at Camp Qwanoes’ Aqua Park. (Photo submitted)
The Rotary Pier at Kal Beach has been repaired following the 2017 floods that put it out of commission. (Tennille Litzenberger photo)

Swimming still not advised at North Okanagan’s Kal Beach

E.coli counts around dock higher than acceptable

The Rotary Pier at Kal Beach has been repaired following the 2017 floods that put it out of commission. (Tennille Litzenberger photo)
Penny Oleksiak of Canada holds up her bronze medal from the women’s 200-meter freestyle final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Matthias Schrader

Penny Oleksiak swims into Canada’s record books after earning sixth career medal

Her bronze is her sixth career medal, the most for any Canadian in the Summer Games

Penny Oleksiak of Canada holds up her bronze medal from the women’s 200-meter freestyle final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Matthias Schrader
Okanagan Indian Band kids recently enjoyed a fun, safe day on the lake thanks to the donation of lifejackets for the children. (Vernon Recreation Services photo)

Okanagan Indian Band kids buoyed by lifejacket donation

Vernon resident doubles donation to keep kids safe

Okanagan Indian Band kids recently enjoyed a fun, safe day on the lake thanks to the donation of lifejackets for the children. (Vernon Recreation Services photo)
Margaret Mac Neil, right, of Canada, is congratulated by Sarah Sjoestroem of Sweden103 after winning the final of the women’s 100-metre butterfly at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

Mac Neil tops women’s 100 butterfly to win Canada’s 1st Olympic gold medal in Tokyo

Strong second length propels swimmer to victory

Margaret Mac Neil, right, of Canada, is congratulated by Sarah Sjoestroem of Sweden103 after winning the final of the women’s 100-metre butterfly at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Wood Lake is once again safe to swim in as of July 16 following an algal bloom discovered April 21 which produced toxins. (District of Lake Country photo)

Swimming advisory lifted on Okanagan’s Wood Lake

No signs of algae bloom or toxins in two consecutive weeks of testing

Wood Lake is once again safe to swim in as of July 16 following an algal bloom discovered April 21 which produced toxins. (District of Lake Country photo)
A water advisory has been posted for Okanagan Beach between the SS Sicamous and the Peach following a test conducted on June 29, 2021 that identified higher than normal levels of bacteria. (Jesse Day - Western News)

Excessive levels of E. coli at Penticton’s Okanagan Beach prompts warning

Five times the acceptable amount of E. coli was found in the water at Okanagan Beach

A water advisory has been posted for Okanagan Beach between the SS Sicamous and the Peach following a test conducted on June 29, 2021 that identified higher than normal levels of bacteria. (Jesse Day - Western News)
An algal bloom on Wood Lake, pictured here in late May 2021, has residents concerned for the body of water’s health. (Wendy Innes-Shaw)

Swimmers still urged to stay out of Wood Lake in Lake Country

Weekly samples show little to no toxins, but precautions still advised

An algal bloom on Wood Lake, pictured here in late May 2021, has residents concerned for the body of water’s health. (Wendy Innes-Shaw)
Floating on inflatables is not recommended on Enderby's Shuswap River right now. (Morning Star file photo)

Floaters urged to stay off Shuswap River

Dangerous conditions prompt warning for inflatables to stay away

Floating on inflatables is not recommended on Enderby's Shuswap River right now. (Morning Star file photo)
Conservation Officers will be checking boats this weekend in the North Okanagan. (CO Service photo)

North Okanagan boat safety checks underway

Conservation Officers out this weekend. Floaters warned to stay off Shuswap River

Conservation Officers will be checking boats this weekend in the North Okanagan. (CO Service photo)
The Vernon Aquatic Centre will be closed for its annual maintenance twice as long this year. (City of Vernon photo)

North Okanagan pool closing for six weeks over summer

Repairs expected to improve air quality in the aquatic centre

The Vernon Aquatic Centre will be closed for its annual maintenance twice as long this year. (City of Vernon photo)
Lia Crowe takes a cold water swim in Okanagan Lake in Kelowna. Don Denton photograph

When Cold Is Hot

Cold water swimming is therapy and exercise

  • May 26, 2021
Lia Crowe takes a cold water swim in Okanagan Lake in Kelowna. Don Denton photograph