There’s nothing quite like cruising across the water on a hot summer day — sunshine above, waves below, and the freedom of the open lake.
There are an estimated 15 million recreational boaters in Canada. Boating-related fatalities in Manitoba have declined in recent years, yet the province still sees dozens of such incidents annually — a reminder that caution and preparedness remain essential on the water.
Lynne Stefanchuk is the executive director for the Lifesaving Society of Manitoba.
"We are way above the national average when it comes to boating fatalities," said Stefanchuk. "Specially involving alcohol and or cannabis. We rate very high, which is extremely unfortunate."
As you get set to hit one of the many bodies of water in our beautiful province this summer, it's important to prepare ahead of time. 80% of those drowning fatalities are male, and 35% happen in a lake or pond.
"It's about being prepared. Make sure you're wearing a lifejacket and have safety gear on board," said Stefanchuk. "You need to make sure you have enough fuel and the boat you're using is in good working order."
As is the case when operating a vehicle, operating a boat under the influence of alcohol and or cannabis is a big no-no. If caught operating a boat while under the influence, big fines and penalties will follow.
"It's very important to make sure you're not under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or any intoxicant," continued Stefanchuk. "Almost all of drowning fatalities happen because of some sort of intoxication."
In a recent report, 339 children younger than the age of 15 fatally drowned in 2020. A year later, that number rose to 380. The younger the child, the more important it is that you're within an arm's reach.
"It doesn't take long for danger to happen and the worst possible outcome," ended Stefanchuk. "You need to know where they are and what they're doing. Everyone wants to have fun on the water. A big part of that is making sure we're all prepared, and the little ones are within safety."
A fun day on the water can quickly turn tragic — but with the right precautions, every outing can end with memories, not regrets
