Lake Cowichan urges tubers to avoid fast-flowing river
While many may be looking to enjoy the rising temperatures and clear skies, the Town of Lake Cowichan is urging people to avoid tubing on the Cowichan River, which is flowing particularly fast.
On Tuesday, the town asked visitors to avoid tubing on the river until water flows slow down.
"Avoid activities, including tubing on a fast-flowing Cowichan River, which could spell potential dangers to those who venture onto it," said the municipality in a social media post. "Please stay safe."
The message comes after two separate rescues occurred on the Cowichan River over the past two weeks.
The first rescue occurred on May 2, when first responders were called to a report of a tuber without a lifejacket yelling for help in the river.
When Mounties with the Lake Cowichan RCMP arrived, they found a 19-year-old man from Vancouver in need of rescuing, as well as seven others who were stranded on the side of the river.
Then, on May 13, police received a report of a vessel capsizing that had five adults and one child onboard.
"Both incidents are unrelated, and everyone was located safe," said Lake Cowichan RCMP spokesperson Const. David Prak in a release Thursday.
"This is a good reminder for everyone that the river is not safe to be tubing or swimming in at this time of year," he said.
Firefighters from the Lake Cowichan Fire Department also attended both rescues.
Fire Chief Doug Knott warns that conditions on the river are unsafe due to rapid snow melt.
"Water levels are still high and flowing fast, which can push you into downed trees, popping your tube, or worse, pulling you under," said Knott.
Longtime paramedic Brian Twaites is also encouraging people to wear life jackets if they are enjoying the water, and to not mix alcohol and drugs with water activities like tubing or boating.
The message is similar in the capital region, where a woman recently pulled two drowning people from Thetis Lake by using her paddleboard.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
It's no secret that spring can be a tumultuous time for Canadian weather, and as an unseasonably mild El Nino winter gives way to summer, there's bound to be a few swings in temperature that seem out of the ordinary. From Ontario to the Atlantic, though, this week is about to feel a little erratic.
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
He replaced Mickey Mantle. Now baseball's oldest living major leaguer is turning 100
The oldest living former major leaguer, Art Schallock turns 100 on Thursday and is being celebrated in the Bay Area and beyond as the milestone approaches.
What a urologist wants you to know about male infertility
When opposite sex couples are trying and failing to get pregnant, the attention often focuses on the woman. That’s not always the case.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Made-in-Newfoundland vodka claims top prize at worldwide competition
A Newfoundland-made vodka has been named one of the world’s best by judges at this year’s World Vodka Awards.