Paddleboarding not allowed on Glenmore Reservoir, reminds city

The City of Calgary is standing firm on its bylaw restrictions against paddleboarding on the Glenmore Reservoir.

The sport continues to grow in popularity, but the reservoir's co-ordinator says his priority is to keep our city's main source of drinking waterclean.

Doug Bruneausaysthe risk of paddleboarders falling into the water is just too high.

"We don't know what's on the body, like if you put sunscreen and all that kind of stuff," he said."Our water treatment does not take care of those petroleum-based products."

But people on sailboats and kayaks fall out too. On that point, Bruneau says those vessels have a raised hull, so the risk is lower. He addswhat's allowed right nowis already a lot for the Glenmore Reservoir to handle.

Growing in popularity

Dozens of paddleboards line the back of the RedNik Surf Co. surf shop just 10 minutes away from the Glenmore Reservoir.

Manager Warren Schlivert says he used to sell about six boards a year, but nowit's six a day.

"Every year we probably double our sales," he said.

He says every customerwants to know whythey're not allowed to standup paddle on the reservoir.

"Surprised, perplexed. They see sailboats, canoes," he said.

Bruneau says when it comes to deciding what can and can't go in the water, the city always veers on the side of safety.