Close call for swimmers at Cypress Mountain lake: North Shore Rescue
Posted July 2, 2025 12:15 pm.
A couple of swimmers on the North Shore had a close call Tuesday at Cabin Lake on Cypress Mountain after both of them got into difficulties.
North Shore Rescue search manager Al McMordie says one of the swimmers had poor swimming skills and found himself overwhelmed by the very cold water.
“The lake there is about six metres deep at the centre. So, it’s not one that you can stand up in easily. It gets deep quickly on the edges,” he said.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!McMordie explains that the first swimmer, overwhelmed, started “thrashing around.” When a friend swam out to try and help him, he says the friend struggled too.
McMordie says the pair were very lucky that a few bystanders saw what happened and jumped in to get them out.
If you’re in a similar situation, he says jumping in to help someone should generally be a last resort, so you don’t get into difficulties yourself.
“If you can reach them with a long stick or something, throw something out to them. And at the very last resort, go,” he explained.
Most of the smaller lakes on the North Shore mountains aren’t designated swimming holes, McMordie says, and often have steep drop-offs.
He says you should play it safe and stay close to shore if you want to cool off on a hike.
“It’s nice to go in and cool off, but don’t go any further than the depth that you can stand up in. You can certainly cool yourself off by staying close to the shore.”
