We’ll be honest, we had questions the first time we went kayaking and rafting. Here are some of the ones that we kept coming back to (until we learned them inside and out).
Find a paddle station near you.
We provide all the equipment, inflated or prepped and ready at the side of the river, including required safety gear - pfd/life jacket and safety kit - we even give you a safety talk - all for free with your booking! At the Paddle Station we don't believe in charging you for safety!
You should bring appropriate water activity gear, including clothing you’re okay getting wet, proper footwear, towel, water, a ziplock bag (for phones and wallets) and hat. Not to be forgotten, bring an attitude of fun, ready to let your cares drift away, while you explore the Bow.
Typical raft and kayak times are:
We will tell you the exact float times at the time of your set off. We expect to see you at our end location within 15-30 minutes of that timeline. After the maximum allotted time, penalty rates will apply. Please ensure that you stop only at our designated Paddle Station.
To see your route, see the map on our Home page for details of our Stations.
Absolutely not! The Bow River is classified as Level 1, and is perfect for beginner and intermediate kayakers / rafters. We’ll also go through a safety session with you prior to you taking off down the river.
Please note that we DO NOT provide transfers for paddlers so please ensure you make arrangements for your own transportation at the end of your float.
We recommend the following options:
Please complete your WAIVERS in advance of your booking. Click the blue "View Required Documents" button at the bottom corner of your invoice to complete your electronic waivers. You can copy and share a link using the green "Share" button or email it to your group using the "Email Participants" button.
If you booked online, we recommend showing up 15 minutes ahead of your scheduled launch time. This way you’ll have time to review our mandatory safety demonstration , along with sizing your life jacket, and get all your questions answered without cutting into your actual time on the water.
Watch our safety video here: https://bit.ly/3gfgZKJ
Please be aware of when you are approaching our last location as once you pass our last stop you are in close proximity to Harvie Passage, a highly dangerous rapid area.
After you have passed the big red Peace Bridge you will pass under several bridges – once the city skyline is behind you, you will see the George C King bridge - aka the Skipping Stone bridge - keep to the right of the island as you approach St. Patrick’s Island. After you pass under the bridge, you will need to prepare to exit LEFT into the Cove on the island where you will see the Paddle Station flag set up on the river’s edge .
If you to go past our last paddle station location, you must pull over immediately to the left side of the river (Zoo area) and call 4034562418 for our Crew to collect the equipment.
Please note: there will be a $100 non-negotiable vessel retrieval penalty charge
Absolutely. Within city limits an approved life jacket must be worn at all times. If you don’t, you could find yourself with a fine for up to $750. Don’t worry though; we have the life jackets and all other gear to keep you safe on the river provided free of charge with our kayak and raft rentals.
Just like you being spontaneous with your kayak, sometimes the weather likes to change things up. If you’re on the river and a storm comes up, you must immediately paddle to the south side of the river’s edge. Once you are safe on shore, call 4034562418 for our Crew to collect equipment and then they can arrange transportation for you to get back to your vehicle.
Please note: there will be 3rd party transportation costs for these situations.
We get it, weather here changes on a dime. On the day of your booking if we deem the weather is unsafe for water activity, we will contact you to reschedule your time.
While we support paddlers of all ages, there are some restrictions.
All minors, including single kayakers under age 18, MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The Paddle Station reserves the right to ask for identification for safety purposes.
Life jackets for children are subject to availability – we recommend bringing your own to ensure you do not have to wait for one.
No life jacket = no paddling. No exceptions.
With any water activity, no matter how safe the river, you must be alert at all times. While the Bow is relaxing, there are still dangers that lurk in the water. Keep an eye out for rocks, trees over and under the river, shallow sections, bridges, and other rafts and kayaks on the river.
Only service dogs are allowed on our rafts – all other dogs are welcome to join us on our kayaks and non-inflatable SUPs. While we love our canine buddies, we also have to take into consideration that they have sharp teeth, nails and fur. We are particularly conscious of allergens left behind in the rafts that may impact the next paddlers. We do not have life vests available for dogs but you may want to get one for your pup given the strong currents in the river.
Booking Terms and Conditions - 2020
*** DO NOT COME TO THE PADDLE STATION IF: YOU HAVE ANY CORONAVIRUS SYMPTOMS, HAVE RETURNED FROM OUT OF THE COUNTRY IN THE PAST 14 DAYS OR HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH ANYONE WITH A CONFIRMED CASE OF COVID-19. IF YOU COME TO THE PADDLE STATION AND PRESENT WITH ANY SYMPTOMS, YOU MAY BE DENIED ACCESS TO YOUR BOOKING***
1. Rental Rates (all inclusive of helmets, PFDs, paddles, and an emergency safety kit)
Rental rates are as posted and subject to change without notice.
2. Pre-authorization
A pre-authorization amount of $300.00 CAD per vessel will be temporarily (up to 7 days) held on your credit card and will be released once you reach your end destination, provided all the rental equipment is returned in its original condition.
3. Maximum allotted time per rental
ROUTES
MAXIMUM TIME ALLOTTED
Shouldice Athletic Park to St. Patrick’s Island Park West Baker Park to St. Patrick’s Island Park West Baker Park to Shouldice Athletic Park
Time will be posted each day
After the maximum allotted time, penalty rates will apply. Please ensure that you stop only at our designated Paddle Station.
4. Penalty Rates
Penalties will be rounded up to the closest hour.
Opened/Compromised Emergency Kit
$30/kit
Single Kayak/SUP
$30.00 CAD/ hr delayed
Double Kayak
$40.00 CAD/ hr delayed
Rafts
$60.00 CAD/ hr delayed
5. Cancellation & Rescheduling policy
We understand that plans may change or unavoidable situations arise that necessitate having to cancel or change your trip plans. However, please understand that once your trip is booked we reserve your space, assign staff and resources to ensure your trip runs smoothly. Few of these costs are recoverable at the last minute.
With this in mind we apply the following cancellation policy:
• Cancellations more than 48 hours prior to booking date and time: Paddle Station credit
• Cancellations 48 hours or less prior to booking date and time: no refund or credit will be provided
• Cancellations by The Paddle Station due to suspended operations for weather or any other reason: Paddle Station credit for cancelled bookings made prior to the closure
We regret that we cannot make exceptions for personal emergencies and recommend that Trip Cancellation Protection be purchased through your travel insurance company to protect your payments.
Our reschedule policy will allow you to reschedule your booking* or receive a gift certificate up to 48 hours before the date of your last booking. Please email us with your last name and booking ID and the date and time you wish to reschedule to (*subject to availability). All requests to reschedule up to 24 hours of your booking time will be subject to a $20 fee. Rescheduling is NOT permitted within 24 hours.
6. Equipment damage or replacement fees
The fee for rental equipment damaged, lost or stolen will be equal to the full replacement cost of the item in question. Determination of level of damage is at the discretion of The Paddle Station.
7. Vessel Retrieval Rates
A vessel retrieval fee of $100.00 CAD will be charged to your credit card if you pass the last designated endpoint, St. Patrick’s Island Park, and require Paddle Station staff assistance to return your rented vessel to a Paddle Station.
8. Waiver
Every paddler, or the parent of a minor, is required to review and sign a waiver before any rental equipment will be provided by The Paddle Station.
Please review the waiver carefully before signing. Electronic waivers can be emailed to yourself. Please ensure you take a copy of the waiver with you before leaving the booking area.
9. Reporting time
Please arrive at the location you have booked to start paddling from, at least 15 minutes prior to your rental time.
If you arrive after your rental time, your booking will be cancelled or you will be subject to a delay penalty (if applicable). Penalties will be rounded up to the closest hour. You will not receive a refund if you fail to report by your rental time.
10. Safety
All paddlers MUST wear a life jacket. No Exceptions. It is your responsibility to ensure the life jacket provided fits you and/or your child. Failure to wear your life jacket may result in a $500 fine per paddler by the Calgary Police Service/Calgary Fire Department. Life jackets for children are subject to availability – we recommend bringing your own to ensure you do not have to wait for one.
Adult sized helmets are available by request. The Paddle Station does not provide child sized helmets.
It is your responsibility to ensure you understand and follow all instructions provided to you by the Paddle Crew.
11. Age Restrictions
All minors, including single kayakers under age 18, MUST be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The Paddle Station reserves the right to ask for identification for safety purposes.
• Children, ages 3 and up are permitted in rafts.
• Children, ages 6 and up are permitted in double kayaks.
• Paddlers must be age 16 and older to be permitted in a single kayak.
12. Pets
Animals are only permitted on kayaks. Absolutely no animals are permitted on rafts. The Paddle Station does not provide safety equipment for animals. The Paddler assumes all risks related to any animal they choose to take on a kayak.
13. Cleaning Fee
Please note you will be subject to a cleaning fee of $50 in the event your raft is not returned free of garbage, mess and debris. Please ensure you remove ALL of your disposables and recyclables.
PADDLE STATION EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBER: 403-456-2418
We understand that plans may change or unavoidable situations arise that necessitate having to cancel or change your trip plans. However, please understand that once your trip is booked we reserve your space, assign staff and resources to ensure your trip runs smoothly. Few of these costs are recoverable at the last minute.
With this in mind we apply the following cancellation policy:
We regret that we cannot make exceptions for personal emergencies and recommend that Trip Cancellation Protection be purchased through your travel insurance company to protect your payments.
*Exceptions to the Cancellation Policy will be considered and made by The Paddle Station Management on a case by case basis.
This policy is in place to help us create a great experience for everyone looking to connect with their Urban Paddler.
We require a 6 person minimum to run a trip however this does not need to be all from one group. Please feel free to book with any number of people and we’ll match numbers from other groups to meet the minimum per boat. You should book your trip as soon as you know when you want to go. Only book for the people that you are positive about as we have a 50% cancellation policy within two weeks of your rafting date.
The only number restrictions are based on the size of vessel that you book. We do not combine guests but rather expect that you would be floating with your cohort group - people that you would associate yourselves with on your own (families/cohort families/friends). We are taking all the necessary measures to sanitize the rafts/life jackets/paddles etc. between bookings and are asking groups to social distance at our sites but are not telling you who you may paddle with.
