Dangerous, expensive Kelowna tubing incident sparks water safety warnings

Authorities are warning B.C. residents about reckless water sports and drownings, after the Kelowna RCMP issued a hefty fine last week.

Mounties fined the operator of a Sea-Doo $287.50 Thursday for towing someone on a tube across Okanagan Lake without having another person to act as spotter.

Police say the person on the tube actually fell into the water, but the driver of the Sea-Doo didn’t notice until they had gone on another 500 meters and had to turn back to pick up their passenger.

“You’re really quite limited when it comes to towing someone behind a PWC as you require enough seating for everyone on the vessel, including the individual being towed. This means a three-seater already carrying the driver and spotter, has one seat left for whoever they’re towing should they become injured or the tube goes flat for example,” said Corp. Michael Gauthier.

Kimiko Hirakida, an education manager with the BC Lifesaving Society, tells CityNews that the fine was definitely warranted, because the situation could have turned tragic quite easily.

She says it’s only a good idea to tow someone without a spotter in an emergency situation.

“But for recreating, no. We want to make sure that there’s somebody that is designated to always be watching that person being towed. That’s the whole point of having a spotter,” said Hirakida.

She says that rule doesn’t only apply to boaters.

“Even if you’re on land and children or family are in the lake, there should be somebody that is in charge, specifically of watching the people that are recreating in the lake. Not distracted by making lunch or fixing a snack or taking a photo through a phone — somebody designated to watch the people in the water.”

Hirakida says 400 Canadians die by drowning every year, and the society is seeing a “slight uptick” this summer. She adds that some locations, including Lynn Canyon, have already seen multiple drownings, all of which, she says, were preventable.

She says there are a number of important water safety tips for swimmers to keep in mind, including the color of your bathing suit.

“Bright is right. So you want to make sure that you’re wearing some really bright colors if you’re going to be out in the water,” said Hirakida.

She says blue colours, and white and black tones can blend in with the water, whereas bright greens and fluorescent pinks are easily recognizable.

Ahead of National Drowning Prevention Week (July 21 to July 27), the society is reminding swimmers to go with a buddy, wear a life jacket, and that it’s best to swim in an area supervised by lifeguards.

—With files from Lauren Stallone