Best Places To Paddleboard (SUP) In The Okanagan

Paddleboarding (SUP) is becoming an increasingly popular activity in the Okanagan. It is a calming way to spend the day, taking in the surrounding sights! Paddleboarding can make you feel like you're walking on water and it is an easy sport to learn. It is an excellent activity for those looking to get outside and take in the Okanagan. There are many great locations to practice your board skills enjoyably, without worrying about larger boats. Here are some of the best places to paddleboard in the Okanagan. 

The Kelowna Paddle Trail 

This location is great for beginners and the trail spans about 27km. Here you can paddle from McKinley Beach to Bertram Beach with the protection of marked buoys, so you don't have to worry about boats coming near you! Paddling in this area is simple and offers magnificent views of the Okanagan Lake and its surrounding mountains. 

Kalamalka Lake 

Kalamalka Lake was voted one of the top 10 most beautiful lakes by National Geographic; its pristine blue waters will take your breath away as you paddle. This lake is perfect for beginners as the water runs smooth and calm; it is a great place for some leisurely paddling. 

Skaha Lake 

Once you become more confident in your paddling skills, Skaha Lake is the perfect location to practice maneuvering the waves. This lake will give you more of a workout and you can dip in the beautiful waters afterward. 

Rattlesnake Island

This trail is for more experienced paddleboarders and extends from Rattlesnake Island to the shores of Peachland. This adventure across the Okanagan Lake is a great way to get some exercise while enjoying the beauty around you! 

Reasons To Paddle The Okanagan

Paddleboarding is easier than it looks and is an excellent way for anyone to take in the outdoors on the water. Paddleboarding can even be a family activity with multiple options for children. 

Here are some of the reasons you should take up stand up paddleboarding: 

• Location: Not only does the Okanagan offer many great lakes to explore, but the surrounding mountains and warm weather make it the perfect place to spend the day paddling. 

• Relaxation: Paddleboarding can be either challenging or relaxing; it's your choice! Whether you want to paddle across the lake or float in the waves, this sport is perfect for anyone. 

• Calm Water: The Lakes in the Okanagan are very calm and will not tip you off your board. Unlike the ocean, paddling in the lake allows you to go as far as you want without worry.

• Family Sport: This sport is perfect for families of any size and age! Pop your little ones off the front of your board and paddle away, or teach your older children how to paddle themselves! 

Paddleboard Transportation

Paddleboards are relatively large and can be a challenge to transport; that's why Over The Top Racks in Kelowna offers the perfect solutions to make your trip a breeze. Our car, truck and SUV watersport accessories make loading, securing and carrying your board to the lake as simple as possible. We find the right fit for every vehicle and every budget - so you can start venturing the Okanagan Lakes, as soon as possible. With summer quickly approaching - it's time to gear up your vehicle and remove the barriers to stand up paddleboarding! Visit our website and drop us a line to learn more about our paddleboard and watersport carrying solutions! 

Spring Biking Trails In Kelowna

Surrounded by beautiful mountains and lake views, Kelowna is idyllic and the perfect backdrop for biking. There are multiple trail options for novices, experts and beginners! Whether you're looking for a casual family bike trail or something more intense, here are the best biking trails in Kelowna to explore! 

Family Friendly Trails

Glenmore Highlands 

Above Glenmore, there are plenty of scattered trails; however, due to new development, the network is becoming fragmented. These trails are perfect for new riders who want to practice mountain biking techniques and are an excellent place for a family who loves to bike and challenge themselves! 

Canyon Rim Trail 

This trail takes just under an hour to complete and is moderately challenging! Even if you're not up for biking, the path is perfect for hiking, running and bird-watching. Bring your family out for a short ride and surround yourself with the captivating views of Canyon Rim. 

Mission Creek Greenway

The Mission Creek Greenway can take up to 4 hours to complete, but it is the perfect trail for families! The flat path will take you through stunning forest scenery with the creek running alongside you! This moderately easy path is the ideal location to get your family out into nature and enjoy a peaceful bike ride! 

Kelowna Waterfront Trail 

This stunning trail is perfect for families! The Kelowna Waterfront Trail takes you through Kelowna, providing stunning lake and city views. This is a Kelowna favorite and is definitely worth the try. 

Mountain Biking Trails 

Knox Mountain Park

Just three minutes from downtown, Knox Mountain Park is the perfect location for an experienced rider! Not only does the new mountain bike-specific trail have spectacular views, but it also has large obstacles and challenging rocky descents!
Myra-Bellevue Park

Located near Crawford, Myra-Bellevue Park offers multiple trails and is one of the largest in the Central Okanagan. Discover new routes each time you ride, with various combinations to get to the bottom! This park is perfect for an afternoon of adventure and allows you to spend time surrounded by nature! 

Gillard 

If you are looking to challenge yourself, then Gillard is the perfect biking trail for you! It is one of the most popular trail systems in the Okanagan and has been used in multiple mountain bike films. This trail is difficult and technically demanding, with steep rocky slopes and man-made features! 

Rose Valley 

New trails are constantly popping up in Rose Valley, and these just keep getting better! These trails offer stunning views and singletrack; it is very popular for eager, early-season riders in the spring. 

Kelowna Bike Racks

Before setting off on your biking adventure, ensuring you have the right equipment is essential! At Over the Top Racks, we have a large selection of bike racks so you can safely carry your bike while making the process a breeze! From hitch racks and trunk-mounted strap racks to tailgate pads and roof racks, we can find the perfect solution for you! Visit us today and hit the trails with ease.

Top 10 | Reasons to Support Local

the best outcome, not your money.

It’s no secret, the bigger the company the more dollar-centric their focus. They only care about numbers and profit so they can get richer and pay their shareholders a fat return on their investment. There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to a local shop - their employees and their clients are not just a number. They’ll guarantee you a product and service that’s REAL, genuine and sincere. Often the retail price is the same as its set by the manufacturer, however their margins and buying power are typically less. The cost out of pocket is of no consequence, so why not choose a more personal and meaningful interaction? Supporting local means your money is going to go back into the business to give it the ability to succeed in the future, as well as keep the money circulating in your local economy.

defining “Local.”

Everyone wants to claim they are local these days. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. Technically giant mega stores of any kind are local, since they have a location in your area…. but sometimes it’s not so black and white. When you are aiming to support LOCAL, think INDEPENDENT businesses - no matter what the marketing campaign says. Small boutique or consignment clothing stores, toy stores, gift shops, hardware stores, salons, restaurants and sports equipment stores are examples of owner-run businesses carving out a living against the multi-national, heavy hitting chain stores and equity firm owned retail outlets.

1. Character

To put it all on the line and commit to entrepreneurship, is not an easy path. Supporting someone who is striving to succeed on their own, helps support entrepreneurship in general and encourages others to follow their dreams too.

2. integrity

There are no company-wide strategies, or perks to push certain brands or products that make the most margin. There’s no angle. This means you get an honest education to make an informed decision - yourself. You can trust you’re being guided by real people and not swirling in the sales funnel.

3. in person shopping

It is convenient to touch and feel a product in person, before buying it - not on a computer screen. Brick and mortar stores allow you to get your purchase right, the first time - offering a more green and less wasteful shopping experience. If the idea of having to order things sight unseen, without an option to purchase in store is unthinkable - add shopping local to your routine or for your next large purchase.

4. Local Jobs

Locally-owned businesses create a more sustainable community - since they use other local business such as printers, accountants, bookkeepers, lawyers, graphic designers, cleaners, consultants, display fixture and harware stores, lending and financial sign companies and more - supporting other entrepreneurs by further investing in local products and services.

5. Community Involvement

Many independent business owners give back to their community and donate to multiple local causes every year. Is there a local cause that you support? I bet you’ll find a number of business owners in town have made donations to the cause as well. Supporting them helps them support the local causes you are passionate about too. Studies show that nonprofits receive 250 percent more support from small businesses than large ones. Did you know every dollar spent at an independent business contributes 3 times more money into the local economy compared to money spent at a chain?

6.out of the box

Tired of the run of the mill, plan o gram lay outs and the cookie cutter retail experience? Unique one off shops merchandised on site offer visual interest, variety and the freedom to be creative.

7.customer support

What if you have a problem with your purchase? If you do have an issue with your product - rest assured you won’t be hashing it out with a robot or someone reading from a script like they are one - or find yourself on the other end of a 1-800 number. You can reach out or show up to chat face to face to get the help you need.

8. Customer Service

Small business owners are more likely to go above and beyond for their customers because they are personally invested in their business. Reputation and quality are very important, everything actually… to a small business. When it comes to a small-business owner - every purchase and positive review matters. Local store owners value each one of their customers and their very livelihood rests on their client’s happiness. Unlike big chains, local businesses often hire people with proficient knowledge of the products they are selling. They also are able to retain employees, with less turnover. Therefore their employees are able to develop long term relationships with the customer and take the time to really get to know their clients - making for an overall pleasant experience, long term.

9. product knowledge & Expertise

Local business owners are informed about their products, their people and their clients - so they can easily pivot to serve the needs and demands of their clients locally. Shopping at an independent store means you can get an honest, expert opinion about the products that you’re purchasing. Oftentimes, the local shop has to the expert in their field, in order to compete.

10. future growth

Shopping locally is the best way to show pride in your city and help protect the businesses that make our city unique, allowing them to thrive.

Other ways to support local businesses.

When it comes to supporting a local business, you can do a lot of good even if don’t make a purchase. Follow them on social media - like and share their posts. Make sure you share their promos, events, sales and announcements - so that you can help them achieve a broader reach. Join their newsletter. Tell a friend. Rave. Be their biggest fan. They are truly grateful!

There is rewarding and practical purpose to shopping local. So next time you have the chance to choose between the local business or a big box alternative - go local. It’s the clear choice for you and your community’s future.

The Adventure Awaits.

Photo by Tim Mossholder.

Top 10 | Rooftop Cargo Box Care Tips

Cargo boxes are a great addition to any vehicle to increase function and space! As gas prices get higher and vehicles get smaller - it’s the obvious choice to let you drive what you want but have the room for the gear you need.

Once you’ve taken the plunge and chosen the box that suits your vehicle, style, budget, gear and lifestyle - the commitment to maintaining your investment is relatively painless. Here we have some tips and suggestions to keep your rooftop cargo box in optimal operational order, so you can enjoy it for years to come.

• Read the instructions - at least once. Although most things are self explanatory when it comes to cargo carriers, sometimes hindsight is 20/20. This is where you’ll find useful information pertaining to loading, weight capacities and suggested use. Engineers have done their due diligence to determine what’s safe and functional and it’s generally best to let them test these limits.

• Measure your overhead clearance! Drive-throughs, garages, carports and underground parking are the natural enemy of the roof box. Knowing how tall you are can save you a headache down the road. Lids and bases are not sold separately so once they’re cracked due to impact, there is not a lot that can be done to correct the damage.

• Avoid automatic car washes. Even though it’s tempting to have a clean vehicle - especially in the winter months, the best bet is to remove all aftermarket racking if you prefer the drive through wash, or use the wand wash instead.

• Keep your receipt in a handy place. Most cargo boxes these days come with a limited lifetime guarantee against defects. So, if you look after your things, there is a good chance that if you encounter a problem that any necessary parts and service will be free.

• Don’t keep all your keys in the same place. I suggest having a spare hidden in the vehicle somewhere in case you get to your destination without the keys, with all of your gear locked inside. It’s also a good idea to write your key number down somewhere safe. If you lose the keys we can replace them for you but it’s helpful and in some cases integral to have the key code, which is found on the key itself. We suggest writing on your invoice, then snapping a photo.

• Store responsibly, again as per the manufacturer’s instructions if they provide it. Any questionable scratches could indicate damage and not defect so be mindful how you treat the box - specifically the lid. This way if a warranty claim arises, it won’t be denied due to scratches from improperly storing your roof box, or being “smashy” taking it on and off.

• If dual side entry, which most boxes are these days; I’m sure you’ll have a favourite side. Show the opposite side some love once in a while. Operating both sides periodically will prevent the lock and latch mechanisms from seizing up, prolonging the lifetime of the cargo box.

• Lubricate your locks, you animal! The dirt and grime that makes it’s way into the delicate lock internals (primarily in winter) can cause them to malfunction over time. Most locks come lubricated from the get-go but adding more after a few years is a good idea. Never use WD40 as it’s not safe on plastics. We suggest graphite or white lithium grease for continued, smooth operation.

• Inspect hardware tension periodically, if you keep your setup installed all year round. With expansion and contraction - hardware can loosen over time. A once over the complete system a few times a year is good practice to catch any wear and tear and to adjust accordingly for safety.

• Be careful loaning out your cargo box. The majority of accidents happen when someone is fresh to owning a roof box, or have lent it out to someone who’s not used to having one either. If something were to happen, it could void your lifetime warranty.

If in doubt about anything cargo box related or have a question? Reach out. We’re here to help you with your storage journey, every step of the way.

The Adventure Awaits.

Top 10 | Okanagan Winter Bucket List

The Okanagan is FULL of winter adventure, waiting to be discovered! Here’s our TOP 10 bucket list of outdoor activities to help you kick off 2023! Check out what made the cut:

• Canada’s Highest Skating Rink Ice Skating | Big White Ski Resort Ltd. Play a game of hockey or take a leisurely skate on an Olympic sized rink with the highest elevation in Canada! It’s fully lit up so it can be enjoyed day or night. Pro-Tip: Fireworks are Saturday nights, rink-side.

• Big White Ski Resort Canada's Favourite Family Resort | Big White Ski Resort Ltd. 24’ of snowfall, 16 lifts, 7606’ elevation, 119 designated runs… but who’s counting - it all adds up to good fun.

• Silver Star Ski Resort SilverStar Mountain Resort (skisilverstar.com) The Okanagan is host to multiple alpine playgrounds. Go for a ski or snowboard, skate, take a snowmobile tour or fat bike. 22 km from Vernon city center, adventure at your fingertips!

• Telemark Nordic Center Trail Maps (telemarknordic.com) Enjoy 60 km of snowshoe trails and over 50 km of groomed Nordic trails - 3.5 of which are lit for night skiing, overlooking our beautiful valley.

• Adventure Skating Loop Adventure Skating Loop - Apex Mountain Resort (apexresort.com) Is there anything more Canadian than a 1 km winter wonderland skating loop in the middle of a mountain forest? I think not. Envelop yourself in nature, out of the ordinary.

• Myra Canyon Trestles Myra Canyon - BC Rail Trails Hike, snow bike or snow shoe 25 km of the historic KVR - a truly Okanagan experience with views for days, all year round.

• Knox Mountain Knox Mountain Park | City of Kelowna Take a hike to Kelowna’s iconic lookout. It’s a delight any time of the year but especially breathtaking when Kelowna is covered with a fresh blanket of snow!

• Stuart Park Stuart Park | City of Kelowna Drop in for a skate in Kelowna’s picturesque lakefront Stuart Park! Weather permitting - bring or rent your gear and skate until late!

• Tubing Tubing | Big White Ski Resort Ltd. It’s not exercise but it will blow your hair back! It’s a fun apres-ski activity for the whole family. Since a magic carpet takes you up you don’t have to worry about leaving a whole lot in the tank.

• Sledding Jack Robertson Memorial Park | City of Kelowna Kelowna has a treasure trove of city parks, most have enough of a slope to grab your toboggan after a fresh snowfall and go have some fun! My personal favourite is Jack Robertson since it’s within walking distance for me and has plenty of space and areas for all ages.

What I love about the Okanagan is that it truly has four seasons, each with it’s own unique and wonderful offering. Get out and embrace nature and explore all of what our beautiful back yard has to offer.

The Adventure Awaits.