Squamish has its Chief, its wind and its renowned mountain bike trails that snake through the backcountry. But what most residents don’t know is throughout the Cascadia Mountain Range, Squamish is also famous for its whitewater rivers; a fact John Harvey is working to promote.
“Many people would argue [kayaking] is one of the pillars,” the founder of the Mamquam River Access Society said regarding outdoor recreation that’s put Squamish on the international map.
As with any sport, growing activity infrastructure is key. Since 2008, Harvey has been slowly accumulating water access for paddlers to the Mamquam River. Having built the Mamquam River Whitewater Kayaking site, located southeast of Quest University, Harvey has now completed an initiative further afield.
The new site was kick-started by the news of a third run-of-the-river power project in the area, this one on Skookum Creek. Five years ago, Harvey sat down with its proponents, Skookum Power, and the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. Last month, he celebrated the opening of a kayak put-in at 9 Mile Bridge along the Mamquam River Service Forestry Road. The new location serves as a kayak take-out point for a launch at the Upper Mamquam run or a place to venture into the water to access the middle run.
“It is really sort of the start of a voice for this recreation in the region,” Harvey said.
His vision is to connect water access points along the river, making the area ideal for all levels of paddlers.
“It is the start of what could be in the future rec sites.”
Harvey is also in the middle of a process to create a campsite on a 10-acre piece of Crown land off Centennial Way. The long-term vision for the former Hasting’s Landscape Supply property is to secure a 25-year provincial lease on the lot. The area also needs to be rezoned by the District of Squamish from its industrial use to green corridor to pave the way for the campground.
Whitewater kayaking is becoming more popular. Harvey said he hopes municipal officials and residents will see its value.
“It is not a big number. It is not a huge community, but it is forever growing.”
