Nothing beats being the lure of water on a hot summer day.
With temperatures reaching the high 20s throughout the weekend, many enjoyed the time-honoured tradition of floating on rafts, canoes, kayaks and other devices on the Red Deer River.
For Annette Bradley and Maureen Seewalt, Saturday was their first time in their kayaks this summer. The two friends were suiting up at the water access point at Fort Normandeau. They try to get out on the water twice a year but the rainy weather had sidelined them.
“It was so high for so long we didn’t dare go in,” said Bradley.
“It’s really fast when it goes so high. The weather is perfect today.”
Also at Fort Normandeau, Carson Fleming and his friends were fishing and floating on his canoe. Fleming said floating on the river is cheap fun and it’s the place to be when it’s hot. He said the high water levels in recent months have not dampened their fun.
“This year has been perfect,” he said.
“There’s been some years where your butt would drag across the bottom. Because it was so dry that year and it would take you six hours to get down. But now this is perfect. Not too fast, not too slow.”
The parking lots at the water access points and a view from the city’s bridges told the story of how busy it was on the Red Deer River.
The Red Deer County Peace officers were also out writing up tickets and issuing warnings for infractions.
Donna Brinkworth, Red Deer County communications manager, who spoke on behalf the officers, said the officers have been busy since May at certain recreation sites issuing tickets and warnings for traffic violations including not wearing seatbelts and speeding.
During these stops, the officers often discover open alcohol or other violations.
Brinkworth said in general most tickets seem to be related to transporting liquor and having easy access or open containers in a vehicle.
“There’s a real concern with the amount of rain we had this year,” she said.
“There’s a concern about safety around the water especially around the river. I don’t think people realize how important it is to practice safety and not have liquor and wear life-jackets.”
Brinkworth said the officers are patrolling recreation areas not to spoil the fun but to ensure a safe time. She said the officers are making their presence known to educate the public on safety.
“We want people to enjoy our recreation areas and we want people to be safe whether they are in their vehicle or on the water,” she said.
“There has been a concern about high water and people have to respect others too.”
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com