Stand up paddler Neil Walker is pictured on Jacko Lake in Kamloops at dusk in July.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Neil Walker

Neil Walker can be found floating in the dark on remote mountain lakes in the region on his lit-up paddleboard at night to decompress and take in the sounds of nature.

The Kamloops resident started the hobby less than two months ago, and an increasing number of people are reaching out to join him.

Earlier this month, he took some friends on a moonlit paddle at remote Jacko Lake near Kamloops.

“We could hear action all around us and I thought it was fish jumping but someone said there are lots of snakes on the lake,” he said. “The amount of wildlife you hear is incredible, and a paddleboard doesn’t make sound. Even with a boat you can hear ripples coming up against it. 

“Creatures come alive at sunset and by midnight it’s so silent.” 

Walker plans to float as many lakes as possible this summer and has already navigated several. He has already taken several groups out to enjoy the experience.

“I’ll be taking a few other groups out over the next week or two, so I bought a bunch of extra lighting,” he said. “If you have too bright of lights it blinds you to the night, but under-lighting is good. I want to go to Johnson Lake because the water is clear. I’m hoping the light will hit the lake bed and reflect up.”

He said he wants to learn all about the local lakes to offer better experiences for the people who come out paddling with him.

“I find going out into nature, going for these paddleboard rides is really nice way to decompress and do a bit of meditation, and I’m happy people are excited to join.”

Safety regulations require that stand up paddleboarders wear an approved personal floatation device and have a pea-less whistle with them for signalling in emergencies, according to Paddle Canada. If they are not wearing the lifejacket they need the lifejacket and whistle on board with them, with a buoyant heaving line. A waterproof flashlight is required if paddling after dusk and at night. 

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