Everything You Need to Know About Paddling in Squamish

Everything You Need to Know About Paddling in Squamish

Watersports are a great way to enjoy summer adventure, and paddling provides access to some exclusive water-front destinations. Boasting a well-rounded bucket-list of majestic rivers, glacier-fed lakes, a teal blue fjord, and a variety of mellow to intense whitewater, Squamish is a world-class paddling destination. To help get you started, we asked the local experts exactly what it takes to get moving on the water.

Getting Started

• First things, first: Never leave shore without wearing your appropriately sized, Canadian approved PFD and other essential life-saving gear. 
• Take a lesson: Norm from Norm Hann Expeditions advises all new paddlers that good instruction keeps you safe and sets a solid foundation as you progress into the more dynamic disciplines of the sport. A lesson may also be the difference between a good experience and a great one. The team at Squamish Watersports offers SUP, canoe, and kayaking lessons for beginners to advanced levels and for all ages, whether solo or in groups and their paddle guides are highly experienced and certified.
• Start out in a lake: We recommend learning to paddle in a lake; the water is calmer, there are fewer obstacles and (depending on the time of year) it's often warmer if you take an unexpected plunge into the water.
• Check the tides: Ocean paddlers should aim to return as the tide is coming in, letting the current do the work and carry you to shore. 
• Bring snacks in a dry bag: We recommend bringing a dry bag (a waterproof bag) full of snacks and water. On a hot day, you can even attach your leash to a tree and suntan the day away savouring granola bars and good times on your board.
• Find paddling partners: Tyson from Valhalla Pure encourages people new to the sport to contact the Squamish Paddling Club to find trip partners. Especially if you are paddling on the ocean, never paddle alone.
• Go around dawn or dusk: The wind is calmest in the morning and the evening making paddling the perfect before or after-work activity.

Local Favourite Destinations

Brohm Lake - Lesley's pick from Tourism Squamish
An excellent spot for beginners, Brohm Lake has plenty of places to launch your kayak or SUP and offers calm waters to practice your skills. The lake is relatively warm making it a refreshing spot to soak yourself if you want to practice bailing, flipping or remounting. There are also several rope swings around giving you the option to moor your vessel and splash around in the water. 

Miner's Run (Porteau Cove to Britannia Beach) - Norm's pick from Norm Hann Expeditions
A downwind run from Porteau Cove to Britannia Beach. Norm recommends this appropriately named "miner's run" (ending near the Britannia Mine Museum) because despite being a relatively quick paddle it intersects with a variety of terrain making it a bucket list route that most people can achieve.

Squamish Estuary - Tyson's pick from Valhalla Pure Outfitters
The Squamish Estuary is a calm paddling area rampant with wildlife. Located where the river meets Howe Sound, the mixing of salt and fresh water creates salt marshes, mudflats, and tidal streams resulting in a flourishing array of biodiversity. Make sure to plan your trip for high tide to ensure there's adequate water to paddle around, please observe only and do not disturb the birds.

Howe Sound's Islands -  Laura's pick from Squamish Watersports
Driving beside the ocean is one thing, paddling Howe Sound's coastline is a completely different, otherworldly experience. Paddle alongside granite seacliffs, snow-capped mountains, and island-hop between lush coastal rainforest-covered islands. Tours are available by request and depart from Britannia Beach to Gambier and Anvil Island.

A post shared by Escape Route (@escaperoute.ca) on Apr 7, 2016 at 7:22am PDT

Where to Buy and Rent Gear

For paddlers looking to invest in gear, Squamish carries a full selection of paddling equipment making it an excellent place to shop. Both Escape Route and Valhalla Pure Outfitters stock a variety of high-quality inflatable and hard SUPs and paddles and Valhalla Pure Outfitters also carries kayaks and paddle wear. In addition to these brick and mortar options, SUP boards are also available online from local businesses Norm Hann Expeditions and Dialed In Cycling.

Rentals SUPs:Squamish Adventure Inn, Squamish Watersports and Valhalla Pure Rentals.

Rental kayaks and canoes: Squamish Adventure Inn, Squamish Watersports and Valhalla Pure Rentals.

A post shared by Norm Hann Expeditions (@normhann) on Mar 8, 2018 at 4:48pm PST

Tours and Lessons

Intro to Stoke - Norm Hann Expeditions

An introduction to the incredible ocean playground here in Squamish and to the sport of standup paddleboarding. The tour covers the basics of ocean safety and teaches how to paddle and use your board effectively all while you enjoy the stunning beauty of the coastal fiord.

Introduction to Stand-Up Paddleboarding or Kayaking - Squamish Watersports

Learn the basics of proper paddling and manoeuvring techniques in a fun introductory lesson. Courses will cover warm-up, water safety, proper standing techniques (for SUP users only) paddling techniques, turning and manoeuvring skills to combat small waves, and more!

Flatwater Skills - Norm Hann Expeditions

Sharpen up your technical flatwater skill set.

Paddle Down the Mamquam River - Squamish Watersports

Float down this beautiful riverway enjoying endless waterfalls, beautiful vegetation and spectacular mountain views. You might even get lucky and come down during our Salmon Runs where you have the potential of seeing thousands of Salmon rushing upstream to spawn.