North Vancouver firefighters, police urge swimmers not to cliff jump in Lynn Canyon

Police and firefighters in North Vancouver are renewing their calls for people to “think twice” before cliff jumping in the region’s Lynn Canyon Park this summer.

Officials on Wednesday released their latest warning about the dangers of cliff jumping, saying that while much of the cliff access in the park is fenced off, “people sometimes climb the fence and go out of bounds to cliff jump, putting themselves at significant risk.”

“It is extremely dangerous to cliff jump in Lynn Canyon,” said Chief Mike Danks, District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services. “Not only are there underwater rock hazards not visible from above the surface, but there are also extremely strong currents. Even in the summer the water is very cold and hypothermia can set in quickly.”

Visitors and potential swimmers to Lynn Canyon need to be cautious and “use good judgement,” officials say, as water levels and conditions can change very quickly.

Over the last 50 years, 40 people have died in Lynn Canyon. This year, a man in his 20s drowned after cliff-jumping in the park.

“The Canyon cliffs are steep, slippery, and in some areas unstable. Every year, the District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services responds to countless rescues,” officials shared Wednesday.

“The public can expect to see extra patrols around Lynn Canyon Park and other parks in the District of North Vancouver,” said RCMP Const. Mansoor Sahak. “Officers will also be enforcing the Liquor Control Act and Licencing Act (LCLA) and if you’re observed consuming liquor in a public place, you could be issued a fine under the LCLA.”