Dear Editor:
Ancient Chinese sages talked of opportunity within every crisis. A random television commercial speaks of milestones being stepping stones.
In Osoyoos, we have been beaten down by water, flooding and groundwater inundation. The lake is down from its peak, but still too high for boaters to pass under the bridge. Watercraft with motors are banned to avoid further shoreline damage from waves.
Oh Silent Lake. What a beautiful opportunity for the town – to celebrate motor-less enjoyment of the lake. Paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, sailboats, kite sailors cruise the lake, making no noise and no waves.
And a bold idea emerges.
Osoyoos is gifted with some of the greatest natural surroundings one could wish for: a magnificent set of mountain ranges with a glacial pot lake in the centre. A lake that was millennia in the making.
Ten thousand years ago, our lake and land were covered by 7,000 feet of ice. [http://lakeosoyoosassoc.org/history.html]
Can we dream big? Could we make this lemon of spring flooding into South Okanagan lemonade?
Why can’t we create The Most Family-Friendly Lake in Canada?
We could designate April and May as months when motorized watercraft are not permitted on the lake, north of the bridge. Oh Silent Lake! How lovely to hear the ring of children’s laughter. The new Wibit inflatable water park would be a terrific addition to our concept as a more family-friendly lake.
I would certainly prefer to say Osoyoos has the most family-friendly lake in Canada. That’s a far more meaningful boast than the “warmest welcome in Canada,” that gets one thinking of air conditioners.
How about it? Can we dream big with our outstanding natural physical assets? Can we create some safe space for children to play on the water without the jarring noise and hazards of motorcraft, even for a month or two?
Can all the stakeholders in our lake come together for the health of our residents and visitors and merchants (who could build on the shoulder of the tourist season) and welcome families and outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy a quiet and beautiful lake?
Who else dares to dream big?
Can we look beyond disaster and see opportunity? Can we create an unbeatable brand of tourism – Canada’s Most Family-Friendly Lake?
If successful, we could insulate our town from much of the damage that floods bring. Tourist-dependent merchants must deal with travellers who cancel plans and stay away in droves when beaches disappear. Creating Canada’s most family-friendly lake will counter the media photos and videos depicting a town in crisis. We could be celebrating – even during sandbag season.
Disaster or Opportunity? The choice is ours.
David Yanor
Osoyoos, B.C.
Family friendly? Sailing is largely a hobby for the retired. Have a look out on the water during boating season and you’ll see it’s pretty much exclusively families enjoying their water-sports and powerboats.
All banning powerboats (at anytime of the year) will accomplish is driving away tourism, the economic lifeblood of the town. Inevitably this makes it harder for local families to make a living and raise their children. Not very family friendly.
Vaseaux is but a short drive for anyone in need of motor-free boating.
David Yanor, I assume you really wrote this letter as a tongue in cheek joke, right? But, just in case some people actually do think this is a serious idea, lets look at this idea for what it actually is.. Its CRAZY to say the least! Osoyoos Lake has ALWAYS been a watersports lake for as far back as people have been coming to the South Okanagan for recreation.. The watersports that the lake is famous for involves boating with MOTORS.. Hopefully things continue as they have for many generations to come.. Osoyoos Lake with a MOTOR boat on a sunny day is absolutely beautiful and MANY families have enjoyed the lake for decades for what it is.. Leave things alone, not everything needs to be fixed.. (well maybe some people need to be fixed).. Out here in the open.. Mmmmmmm…motorboatin’
How about closing down the lake south of the bridge? Being smaller, would affect fewer people, and portions of the south half are too shallow for power boats. Of go to Vaseaux, which is a nicer lake.
Nothing better than listening to and watching families enjoy the lake. The lake is there for everyone to enjoy with or without motors. If the town were to entertain the idea our real estate prices would plummet quickly as well. I agree with you Mark in that Vaseaux is a short drive away for those who want a motor free boating experience.
I wonder what David would have said about the hydro plane races we used to hold on the lake in front of the Watermark back in the day….
I probably used to attend some of those races. Personally, I don’t much have an opinion on boating on Osoyoos Lake. I average about 30 outings in the kayak each year, and none of them on that lake. The reason? Power boaters. I have no complaint against them, but they do change the composition of the lake as summer goes on. By Aug. 1, it’s like paddling through broccoli soup. Power drives behave like immersion blenders and chop the resident aquatic weeds into very tiny pieces, fouling hulls, lines, paddles etc. Doesn’t do much for the fishing, either. Anyhow, enjoy your lake! It’s a beauty.