Paddle Responsibly: How Paddle’n’Go Supports Water Conservation in BC

paddlengo
Jul 21
3 min read

From calm inland lakes to scenic coastlines, British Columbia offers some of the best paddling experiences in the country. At Paddle’n’Go, we’re proud to make it easy for people to explore these beautiful waterways—delivering gear right to parks, lakes, and beaches across the region.

But as more people enjoy BC’s waters, it's vital we all do our part to protect them. This includes not just keeping litter out of lakes, but also conserving freshwater, especially during BC’s increasingly frequent droughts.

Inspired by the Water Conservation Tourism Toolkit released by Destination BC, here's how we at Paddle’n’Go are helping—and how you can too.

🌿 Why Water Conservation Matters (Even When You’re Surrounded by It)

It’s easy to assume that water-based activities like paddleboarding and kayaking have little impact on freshwater resources. But in reality, how we use and manage water off the board matters just as much as our time on it.

BC has experienced several consecutive years of severe summer droughts. As a result, municipalities are restricting water use, rivers are running lower, fish habitats are under stress, and water supplies in some areas are strained.

That’s why every conscious action counts—whether you're a first-time paddler or a regular weekend warrior.

🚚 How Paddle’n’Go Reduces Water Use

At Paddle’n’Go, we designed our mobile rental service with sustainability in mind from the start. As a drop-off and pick-up business, we naturally use far less water than traditional brick-and-mortar rental shops.

But we’ve taken it a step further by adopting smart water-saving practices:

✅ No water use at public parks or beaches—all gear is pre-cleaned at our facility using minimal water systems
✅ Eco-friendly cleaning methods—we use biodegradable products and rinse only when necessary
✅ Zero single-use plastic—we encourage all customers to bring reusable water bottles
✅ Educational messaging—we include quick tips in our booking emails and rental signage during high drought alerts
✅ Hands-free service—we don’t rely on changing rooms, hose-down stations, or public wash areas

By delivering gear to where it’s needed and prepping everything in advance, we help reduce the strain on local resources—especially at busy lakes and parks.

💧 Easy Ways You Can Help as a Paddler

🏖 During & After Your Paddle

Rinse your board responsibly: We encourage rinsing your board after use, especially after saltwater paddling, to protect the gear and keep it clean.
- ✅ Use beach-side rinse stations only when available and necessary
- ✅ For freshwater paddling, just brush off sand and let the board air dry
- ✅ For saltwater use, a quick freshwater rinse helps prevent wear
Let gear dry fully in open air before rolling or storing
Avoid overusing public taps or washing directly in lakes or streams

🏡 Business, Airbnb Host, or Tour Operator?

If you’re part of the tourism economy—whether as a business partner, host, or park staff—you play a key role in encouraging water-smart behavior.

Here’s how to help:

Post drought alert notices at your location or in booking messages
Share Destination BC’s water-saving toolkit with staff and guests
Audit your property with tools like GreenStep’s Tourism Water Tracker
Encourage non-motorized rentals (like Paddle’n’Go) over water-intensive activities
Offer refill stations instead of bottled water, and switch to low-flow fixtures where possible

🚀 Our Pledge: Paddle Lightly, Leave No Trace

Paddle’n’Go believes in more than just fun on the water—we believe in leaving every shoreline better than we found it.

We’re committed to:

Supporting BC’s climate resilience efforts
Reducing our environmental impact as a mobile service
Educating visitors and locals about simple ways to protect our waters
Working with local governments, parks, and tourism boards to align with sustainability goals

✅ The Bottom Line

Water is the soul of what we do. Without clean, accessible, and sustainable waterways, Paddle’n’Go wouldn’t exist—and neither would the breathtaking experiences we all cherish.

As we paddle forward into another dry season, we invite you to join us in protecting the water we love.

Every refill saved, every conscious rinse skipped, every eco-minded choice—it all adds up.