12th Annual River Clean-Up Paddle
Saturday October 11, 2025
Come paddle with us! 2024 marks the 12th year for this fabulous paddling event on the Middle Shuswap river and we will need your help. After a busy season of paddling and fun on the river, we will gather to give back to the beautiful Middle Shuswap river, tidying up the shoreline as we enjoy the fall colours and spawning salmon (when we do the lower section).
Registration
Even though this event is FREE, it is important that all participants register for this event so we can organize rides, boats, and get all the important details. This is an easy paddle, but does require some river paddling experience in order to safely navigate this section.
When?
Saturday October 11, 2025 8:30am-4pm
Who?
Anyone with (or without) a human-powered water craft! SUP’s, kayaks, canoes, rafts are all welcome. There are many ways to participate! You can even come on foot to help us with the big job of cleaning up the launch site where we start, or volunteer as a host or driver!
Where?
The River Cleanup Paddle Events are held on the Middle Shuswap River above and below the Wilsey Dam/ Shuswap Falls Recreational Picnic area.
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- Even Years: We will begin our clean-up first on foot along the banks near the Mabel Lake Community Hall below Wilsey Dam. We will then get in our boats and paddle down the river for about 14km to our take-out spot on private land.
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- Odd Years: We begin around the Cherryville Recreational Camping Site and then paddle for about 20km down river to take out at the BC Hydro Shuswap Falls Recreational site.
We will provide more specific information to the registered participants in the week prior to the clean up.
How long will it take?
This is an all-day affair. We will meet at 8:30am at the put-in location (either Mabel Lake Community Hall or the Cherryville Rec site) and our goal is to start paddling by 10:30am, arriving at the take-out by 3pm. After completing the shuttle, we will spend a few minutes sorting garbage, enjoy some snacks and a wrap-up. You can expect to be back in Vernon by 5:30pm. Time on the water will be approximately 10:30am to 3pm including breaks, lunch, and picking up trash.
If you would like to join, but only have an hour or two, we welcome you to join us at the start to help clean up the at the put-in, or at the end to help sort and load garbage.
How do I get back to my vehicle at the end of the paddle?
There will be a 15-passenger van and large canoe trailer available to take the shuttle drivers and boats back to the put-in.
What to bring?
Please bring your own gloves, snacks, water, lunch, and appropriate clothing for the weather. A detailed packing list will be sent to you upon registration. Boats and paddling equipment are not provided, but available to rent upon request at discounted rates.
Discounted rental rates for this event are:
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- Tandem Canoe $20 per person (all canoes are outfitted with all safety equipment)
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- Solo Canoe $25 per person
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- Paddle $5 per person
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- Helmet $5 per person
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- Wetsuit $10 per person
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- Drysuit $30 per person
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- PFD $5 per person
Non-Paddlers
Please join us! We need your help to clean up the shores around the put-in location before we head downstream in our canoes/kayaks/SUPs. You can also contribute by providing a shuttle at the end of the day for paddlers to get back to their vehicles.
Paddlers
Please note that some river paddling experience is required for this event. Although the river is low this time of year, it is not without its hazards. Please contact us to discuss your eligibility, or register here for a river canoeing course to help you prepare.
BONUS! River cleanup participants receive a 10% tuition discount on all courses scheduled the following spring.
Interested to Attend?
Please contact us if you’re available to help with this fun and connecting event!
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Get in touch for more information admin@elementsadventures.com or (250)-308-8924
