Fraser River guided paddle to celebrate World Rivers Day

A large flotilla of canoes and kayaks will travel 40 km down the Fraser River from Hope to Agassiz on September 27 to celebrate World Rivers Day. Organized by the Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning (HMCOL), the guided paddle is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. in Hope and conclude around 5 p.m. at the Cheam Fishing Village and Campground near Agassiz.

Participants can use their own boats or join a guided Voyageur canoe, accompanied by a motorized escort for safety. The journey will pass through riparian forests, islands, and side channels that are critical to local wildlife. This stretch of the river is noted for its significant ecological importance, producing up to 10 million pink salmon annually, along with large numbers of chum and sockeye salmon.

The event features guides Dr. Keith Carlson and Meg Turner. Dr. Carlson, a history professor at UFV, has worked with Sto:lo Knowledge Keepers since 1994 to document regional history and promote reconciliation through community understanding.