The Yorkton Canoe Kayak Club has been cautiously active since May 25, and has seen a surge in interest as one of the few youth sports that has been happening.
鈥淏asically we鈥檝e been running since May 26,鈥� said club head coach Jessica Riley.
However, with the sport鈥檚 national body had banned paddling in March and April in the face of COVID-19, the focus early on was on getting those involved well versed in procedures such as making sure equipment was cleaned properly, and how to ensure proper social distancing, she said.
鈥淲e took that time to put procedures in place,鈥� said Riley.
By mid-June provincial regulations relaxed and the club began getting back to allowing the public to paddling. Riley said it helps that those involved are naturally social distanced once out on the water.
鈥淏ut, we kept it kind of quiet, that way we weren鈥檛 getting swamped,鈥� said Riley, adding it was important to make sure protocols worked and that proper safety for participants was assured.
Now, things are more into the full swing of club activities with youth summer camps under way. To-date four camps are already booked to capacity, but a few sports remain for the weeks of Aug. 4-7 and 10-13, said Riley, adding if interest is shown a third week in August could be offered.
For those not sure if their kids are fully interested in paddling, Riley said people are invited to try things out Monday-to-Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 require a membership so you can just drop in and try it,鈥� said Riley, adding that in addition to kayaking, this year they are offering paddle boarding thanks to a Sask Lotteries grant to buy equipment.
Sundays ,from 2-4, for a 鈥榯oonie鈥� families can head to York Lake where the club is headquartered to try it out as well.
Riley did add that people are encouraged to pre-book if they are heading out via a 鈥榖ook-now鈥� link on the club鈥檚 Facebook page.
鈥淭hat was we can control the flow of traffic a little bit,鈥� she said, adding they have been rather busy since paddling is one of the few activities that have been going on; with bookings 鈥渨e ae able to sanitize the boats and be ready if we know when people are coming.鈥�
As for the increased interest, Riley noted, 鈥減eople are looking to get kids active.鈥�
That interest has also seen more youth coming out for the club鈥檚 competitive contingent, even though there are no competitions scheduled for聽 the summer.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just a training year,鈥� said Riley, adding the focus is on techniques to be ready for 2021. 鈥�... They鈥檙e honestly out there for the love of the sport.鈥�
The competitive crew currently numbers 18, the most in the 13 years Riley has been involved, which is great to see for club.
鈥淪ome years we鈥檝e only had four,鈥� she noted.
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