‘Grossly intoxicated’ kayakers arrested in Okanagan: RCMP

Mounties in the Okanagan are reminding people to enjoy the summer responsibly, after two kayakers who were “grossly intoxicated” were arrested and forced to spend some time in jail last weekend.

The Lake Country RCMP says it received reports on Saturday, Aug. 5, about the two men. According to police, a caller reported that they brought one man back to shore after he was found passed out in a kayak.

The man’s friend reportedly tried to “intervene,” falling off his kayak and attempting “several more times” while wading back to shore.

Shortly after, Mounties say the pair went back out onto Wood Lake, then to Kalamalka Lake, eventually making their way to Pioneer Park in Oyama, where officers were waiting on the beach.

The RCMP says the men were seen “staggering towards their car carrying their kayaks,” adding they were swearing as they dragged the boats ashore.

The officers took the pair into custody for “being impaired while operating a conveyance” and “being intoxicated in a public place.”

The two kayakers were taken to Kelowna cells to sober up. They have since been issued tickets for public intoxication.

Police are urging people to be responsible when out on the water, saying this situation could have ended very differently.

“Both men were fortunate to not have fallen off their boats in either lake, as they were not wearing life-jackets that were on board,” said Lake Country RCMP Corp. Ryder Birtwistle.

People are also reminded that drinking alcohol while boating can lead to fines or arrest, as it is illegal except for under certain circumstances.