Paddleboarding not allowed on Glenmore Reservoir, reminds city
Activity on reservoir, which provides Calgary's drinking water, is already at capacity
The City of Calgary is standing firm on its bylaw restrictions against paddleboarding on the Glenmore Reservoir.
The sport continues to grow in popularity, but the reservoir's co-ordinator says his priority is to keep our city's main source of drinking water clean.
Doug Bruneau says the risk of paddleboarders falling into the water is just too high.
"We don't know what's on the body, like if you put sunscreen and all that kind of stuff," he said. "Our water treatment does not take care of those petroleum-based products."
But people on sailboats and kayaks fall out too. On that point, Bruneau says those vessels have a raised hull, so the risk is lower. He adds what's allowed right now is already a lot for the Glenmore Reservoir to handle.
Growing in popularity
Dozens of paddleboards line the back of the RedNik Surf Co. surf shop just 10 minutes away from the Glenmore Reservoir.
Manager Warren Schlivert says he used to sell about six boards a year, but now it's six a day.
"Every year we probably double our sales," he said.
He says every customer wants to know why they're not allowed to standup paddle on the reservoir.
"Surprised, perplexed. They see sailboats, canoes," he said.
Bruneau says when it comes to deciding what can and can't go in the water, the city always veers on the side of safety.