2025 Holiday Newsletter

Seasons Greetings & Happy New Year from the Kelowna Paddle Centre

After a busy season, we are looking forward to an even bigger year in 2026. Read on for some highlights from 2025 and exciting updates for next season.

2025 Season Stats

One of our busiest years ever

• 277 members and 22 staff.
• 355 summer campers
• 319 equipment rentals.
• 1,232 student visitors!

Select 2025 Highlights

• The KPC Wave Breakers were CORA Cup winners and National Champions.
• The new Outrigger Academy was our most popular program.
• The Waterman Paddle Fest returned to KPC!

Construction in and around KPC this year

Making solid progress towards our updated facility

• KPC received our Development Permit on June 17th!
• The Abbott Street frontage is completely updated.
• Reinstalled fencing along Abbott opened up the view of KPC.
• Improved pathways and landscaping around the centre.

2026 Dates, Programs, and Events

2026 Staff Postings

Starting January 5

Applications open in early January to join our staff in 2026.

P6 Performance Squad Race Commitment Deadline

February 1st

Confirm your commitment to race in at least 3 events to be eligible for the P6 crews.

Early Bird Memberships

February 1st to April 5th

Buy your 2026 membership during the early bird sale to save 15%.

Storage Renewals

February 1 to March 15

Existing storage and locker holders will be emailed renewal reminders in February.

The Waterman Paddle Fest

June 27th

This year's event will include the Canoe Kayak BC Open Water Championship.

KPC Summer Camps

June 29th to August 28th

We offer day camps for youth aged 6 to 16 all summer long.

BC Summer Games

July 22nd to 26th

KPC is the site for long distance kayak (surfski), paddleboard, and flatwater slalom.

IVF World Sprint Championships

August 17th to 31st

The 2026 championships are being held on Marina Bay in Singapore.

NEW FOR 2026

Purchase now to expense in 2025

Next season we are launching a pilot program for Corporate Memberships. These are a great way to support your staff and personnel to experience the Kelowna Paddle Centre. Corporate Memberships start at $1,200 for up to four people. Additional persons can be added for $300 each.

- All the benefits of individual memberships for included personnel.

- Access to team-building programs, social activities, and other options to enhance your group's experience at KPC.

- Our lowest price per person for adult memberships.

For 2026 we are offering a Family Discount for registering multiple campers at the same time. This offer is doubled for the Holiday Sale until December 26th.

Visit paddlecamp.ca to learn more.

Donations can be made to KPC through the BC Amateur Sport Fund

Our Campus Operations Fund helps support KPC to expand our programs and improve accessibility. This fund is administered through the BC Amateur Sport Fund so that contributions are eligible for a charitable tax receipt. For 2026 we hope to use contributions for much-needed equipment upgrades and improvements.

Meet the 2026 KPC Board of Directors

The KPC AGM was held on November 27th 2025

Our Board of Directors now includes the following individuals and officers:

• Dennis Silvestrone, President (president@kelownapaddlecentre.ca)
• Kirsten Chuli, Vice President (kirsten@kelownapaddlecentre.ca)
• Andrea Kwong, Treasurer (andrea@kelownapaddlecentre.ca)
• Shannon Bliss, Secretary (shannon@kelownapaddlecentre.ca)
• Christine Castrucow (chris@kelownapaddlecentre.ca)
• Sandra Mowat (sandra@kelownapaddlecentre.ca)
• Dani Sarbit (dani@kelownapaddlecentre.ca)
• Erick van Selst (erick@kelownapaddlecentre.ca)

We would like to thank outgoing Board Members Jean Boullianne, Murray Chalmers, Tom Maxwell, Marianne Morgan, and Deb Ruggiero for their years of hard work and support for the Kelowna Paddle Centre!

2025 Holiday Hours

The centre will be for members-only from December 24 to January 1. During this time Fraser can be reached by text at 778-779-3142.

Updated Winter Hours for 2026

Starting in the New Year

Staff will be on-site at least three days per week.  Fraser can also be reached by text at 778-779-3142.

Office Hours

  January 2 to March 20

  Mon, Wed, & Fri

 1130am to 530pm

Member Access

Member Hours are being updated as of December 29 to the following

• The gym and clubhouse are available everyday from 6am to 9pm.
  • Please respect our neighbours when arriving and leaving early in the morning or late in the evening.
  • Offices and the upstairs are for staff only.
• Access for paddling remains from sunrise to sunset 365 days a year.