Rivers Week Update

Beaver Canoe Club Rivers Week 2026

Join dozens of other paddlers for the BCC’s biggest annual event!

Dates: June 19^th – June 28^th. The event has a very flexible format – you can come for 2 days or come for the whole week!

Who should come: This event is for club members that have completed Basic Paddlers (RCABC tandem Lakewater level 1 certificate or Paddle Canada equivalent) and Intro to Moving Water training day. Attendance at the club’s Mamquam beginner whitewater weekend, and/or a tandem whitewater level 1 RCABC or Paddle Canada certificate are also strongly recommended. You must have a canoe that is properly outfitted for whitewater. 

The plan: 

Loosely – members gather at the campsites, socialise and paddle!! Typically, at each location, you’ll have a choice of where to paddle, from fun Grade I and II rivers to challenging Grade III. 

The event starts in the Similkameen Valley with camping at the Picard Creek Rec site close to Hedley. The plan is flexible, because water levels in the rivers are hard to predict in advance. In particular, the date we move away from the Similkameen area after the first weekend, and our destination, will depend on water levels. The snowpack is very low again this year, as it has been for the last 3 years, but the weather in May and June can still influence the snowpack and river flows significantly. The rivers week plan will be posted on the website, and will be updated regularly, even during the week itself.

Camping

June 19-22 we will camp at Picard Creek Rec site .   Picard Creek camping is first come first served, (and there are limited extra sites at Stemwinder Prov Park about 2 km east, reserved for nights of Jun 19 and 20.) 

June 22 – 24 we will likely continue to stay at Picard Creek  but may move on to Granite Creek Rec Site  depending on water levels. 

Jun 25 – 28 we will camp at Cherryville Rec site outside of Lumby 

All sites have minimal facilities (outhouse, firepits and picnic tables) no electricity, and no drinking water.  Bring Drinking Water.   There is usually a small fee.

Social

River’s Week Ultimate Happy Hour June 20th Picard Creek, after paddling

Bring something yummy to share – something unusual, your favourite appie [or dessert]. You won’t need to plan a dinner afterwards…!!

Updates

Please watch for more updates here.. If you are planning to drop into the week’s activities it’s very important to contact organisers ahead of time to indicate interest and to stay in the loop, since water levels are predicted to be low and the plan will need to stay flexible. Paddling plans are usually finalised the night before. In the meantime, you can email Dave Westell (westell@shaw.ca) or Phil Rankin (prankin@telus.net) if you have questions.

Provisional Plan (updated Jun 17, 2026):

The Rivers Week Schedule below can change according to water levels, trip leader availability, quorum and other factors.

Please check this page for updates before you come, and we will endeavor to keep it updated when internet access is available.

All trips will be posted on the Whiteboard where we are camping the night before and the morning of the trip.

This is a FREE event for Beaver Canoe Club  

• • Please contact the trip leader(s) by texting them the night before. If no one contacts them they may choose to cancel without notice and join another trip…

• You must sign an RCABC Waiver before participating

• Please remember that you must have all of your own equipment: Canoe with floatation & appropriate outfitting (thigh straps, etc), as well as a PFD, helmet, dry suit. Trip Leaders reserve the right to turn you away if you are not prepared.