I adore the water...especially when it's warm and clear. Kalamalka Lake is what I love most about living in Vernon, except my parents, but that's a given. Yesterday we got to spend the day on the lake with a friend on his boat. We explored the quiet coves, found some cool caves, the boys did some cliff jumping, tons of tubing and wake boarding.
Ry was the token captain for our boating day and Liam did some awesome driving and learned how to tow a tuber...
In the evening we pulled up to Kal Beach and I headed to meet the folks at the Kalavida Surf Shop for Wahine Wednesday...a night of stand up paddleboarding (SUP) just for gals.
Way back in 2009 when we lived in Whistler we first discovered SUP and my love affair with the serenity of the sport began, read that post here: http://www.snickerdoodles.ca/snickerdoodle_life/2009/07/try-this.html I can't believe how much my boys have grown up since then...sniff, sniff.
In Jamaica this past May I can't believe I only got out on a board twice during the whole week. It was amazing there, perfect really, in the flat morning water, except for all the annoying Jamaican men on jet skis who kept flying by and creating a wake. Anyways, SUP on Kal is fantastic, the water is flat and a short paddle away is the lagoon, bird sanctuary and sparkling blue green coves. Renting a board isn't expensive and it's such a fabulous core workout. Michelle and Kevin and the staff at Kalavida are super nice and will have you set up with gear and ready to paddle in no time. The shop also has a small but really awesome selection of beach wear, flip flops, and gear. I especially loved their custom Kalavida t's and tanks designed in house.
When driving by the beach you will see the Kalavida sign and colourful boards by the general store.
When on the beach they launch at the far right side...you'll see the gorgous gear. I felt like playing a bit today and have run some beachy actions on the pictures...I'm sure I'll regret it later and bring them back to the true hues.
As we were heading out for our paddle I was happy to wait for Michelle who was able to sneak away from a busy day at the shop and join us. She looks a little happy don't you think...her cheering cracked me up. Look at those signature Okanagan hills...sigh.
We left the beach as newly aquainted water-loving ladies and came back an hour or so later as friends...I don't have much headspace for fluff and small talk these days, I've had to be very protective, and sometimes somewhat rude about my time and energy and nothing brings me more comfort than finding someone I really connect with.
Michelle is also on a journey to follow her bliss and I'm glad the universe brought us together. We were the only ones who wanted leave our boards to swim out in the quiet waters....and if you don't get your hair wet and go under into the peaceful depths it doesn't count! When she took me under the road through a big tunnel we had to kneel in to clear, that led into a beautiful, soul-soothing willow tree lined lagoon I knew we were kindred spirits. It reminded me of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...remember that scene? Except there wasn't tons of chocolate and candy, nor Johnny Dep looking creepy...but it was still a magical vision.
I am looking forward to many more evenings of learning SUP on the water with the Kalavida Surf Shop and my new friend and SUP mentor.
Driving back to the boat launch during the golden hour, way past typical bedtimes, the boys went out for another spin on the tube and I found this amazing warm light to capture their happy faces as a memory of a rather special day...once in the car we quickly had two snoring children and once home I headed straight for a hot bath. Flying around still damp in a speedboat all evening can bring on quite a chill.
hope you are having a happy, water-filled days kinda summer friends!
oxo
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