Paddle BC Announces First-Ever Paddling Awards

June 9, 2026

New province-wide awards initiative celebrates the paddlers, organizations, and businesses helping to make British Columbia a world-class paddling destination.

June 9, 2026 /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/— Paddle BC, an on-line platform connecting paddlers with waterways, outfitters, events, destinations, and experiences across British Columbia, has officially launched the inaugural Paddle BC Awards, which recognizes the people and businesses making a positive impact on paddling in BC.

Running from June 1 to July 31, 2026, the Paddle BC Awards invite individuals from across BC to nominate and celebrate those who are helping create a safer, stronger, and more vibrant paddling sector.

“The paddling community in British Columbia is filled with incredible people who volunteer their time, share their expertise, build welcoming experiences, and inspire others to get on the water,” says project lead Andrea Miller. “The Paddle BC Awards are an opportunity to recognize those contributions and shine a spotlight on the people and organizations helping paddling thrive in every corner of the province.”

The Paddle BC Awards feature five categories:

• Local Paddling Hero
• Youth Paddling Ambassador
• Indigenous-led Paddling Experience
• Green Paddling Outfitter
• Accessible Paddling Experience

Paddlers can submit nominations beginning June 1 at https://paddlebc.ca/paddle-bc-awards/. Nominations are open to anyone involved in BC’s paddling community, from recreational paddlers and instructors to clubs, events, tourism organizations, businesses, and volunteers. Winners will be announced on August 4, 2026.

Award recipients will be selected by an independent panel of judges representing a broad cross-section of the Canadian paddling and outdoor recreation community. The judging panel includes Michelle McShane of Paddle Canada, Nathan Slater of BC Marine Trails, Jessie Penner of Indigenous Tourism BC, Louise Pedersen of the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC, Amber Papou of the Tourism Industry Association of BC, Simon Ward-Able of Thompson Rivers University, and Bert Abbott of Spinal Cord Injury BC.

The Paddle BC Awards are made possible through the support of organizations committed to growing paddling participation and promoting responsible recreation throughout the province. Sponsors include Delta Kayaks, Comox Valley Kayaks and Canoes, Elements Adventure Company, and Pelicansnout Design Inc.

ABOUT PADDLE BC

Paddle BC is a province-wide collaboration promoting British Columbia as one of the world’s premier paddling destinations. The initiative connects paddlers with local tourism regions, guides, and outfitters, from the Kootenays to Vancouver Island, to showcase the diversity of BC’s lakes, rivers, and coastal waterways. Through its campaigns and educational content, Paddle BC inspires people to explore responsibly, learn safety skills, and celebrate the province’s unique paddling culture.

Paddle BC respectfully acknowledges that we paddle and work throughout the unceded territories of more than 200 First Nations across British Columbia.

For more information contact Vince Hempsall, vince@paddlebc.ca, 250-354-7535.