By Jaclyn Clarke

Exploring by water in a kayak, canoe or SUP are some fun ways to get your family outside this spring/ summer. Children of all ages will enjoy trying a new water sport that will keep them engaged and entertained for hours. Personally, kayaking has been a wonderful way for my family to connect with one another. Are you looking for some new places to explore by water? Below you will find an interactive map of the best places to take your boat this summer near Vancouver, B.C.

Don’t Have a Boat yet?

First you will need to decide if you want to invest in buying a kayak, canoe or SUP or you can rent your boat of choice from a rental shop. We have always rented up until now since we didn’t have the space to store a hard shell kayak, canoe or SUP. Due to the pandemic and a surge of people heading outdoors this past year, there weren’t many rentals available. Our family didn’t go kayaking much this past year since most rental shops were sold out of rentals weeks in advance. That’s when I started to look into investing in a kayak. Unfortunately, we don’t have the space to store a hard shell kayak, so that option was off the list. We also didn’t want an inflatable kayak since we have young children and there is a risk of popping them.

Why the K-Pak Folding Boat is Worth Looking into:

While researching all the different types of boats you can invest in, I finally came across the Folding Boat Company. I couldn’t believe how easy it looked to set up their K-Pak Folding Kayak. I was amazed that you can hike somewhere with a kayak on your back to enjoy a pristine lake that you wouldn’t be able to enjoy otherwise. I also love that the K-Pak Folding Kayak stores easily in a closet or in the trunk of a car.

Here are some reasons we chose a foldable kayak over a hard shell or inflatable kayak:

• lack of space in our house and garage for a full sized kayak.

• our family is planning on traveling across Canada in a year or so and we want to bring our kayak with us.

• we don’t have a roof rack.

• folding kayaks are more affordable than hard shell kayaks.

• they are more durable and long lasting than inflatable kayaks.

• easier to put together and take apart than an inflatable kayak.

Additional information about the K-Pak Folding Kayak:

It weights approximately 21 lbs in it’s backpack. We love that the backpack has comfortable shoulder straps and a chest strap for extra support. When not in use the K-Pak Folding Kayak can be tucked away in your closet or garage. The kayak will also fit in the trunk of your car, or in the back seat with room to spare, so there is no need for a roof rack. You can also travel with it easily on planes or buses.

 

The Best Places to Kayak, Canoe and SUP around the Lower Mainland:

HERE you’ll find list of lakes and beaches close to Vancouver that you can explore this spring and summer by boat or SUP.

Note: Buntzen Lake is closed until the end of March or possibly into April. Make sure you check before heading there to ensure it’s open.

 

About the Author:

Jaclyn Clarke is the founder and writer for Brave and Free Adventures (https://www.braveandfreeadventures.com/). Raised with an avid passion for all things outdoors, she documents the beautiful, family friendly playgrounds and parks the Metro Vancouver area has to offer.