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Lake conditions force triathlon date change

Kids Triathlon moving from June to September; Kal RATS event cancelled due to lake levels
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Volunteers man the swim portion of the 2016 Paradigm Naturopathic Kids Triathlon. The 2017 event has been rescheduled to September, and the annual Kal RATS triathlon has been cancelled altogether due to flooding. (Morning Star file photo)

Issues with Okanagan Lake have forced organizers of the fifth annual Paradigm Naturopathic Kids Triathlon at Kin Beach to change dates.

The event was slated for Saturday, June, 24, but organizers are moving the race to the fall.

“Unprecedented high water levels and flooding have significantly impacted the areas around Okanagan Lake this spring,” said race director Laura Medcalf on the event’s Facebook page.

“Assessments of our race site, water quality, infrastructure stability, and contingency planning have been ongoing, and at this time, unfortunately, we must announce that we have made a decision to postpone the event to the fall.”

The new, tentative date is Sunday, Sept. 10.

“We invite you to join us for the fifth annual Paradigm Naturopathic Kids Triathlon, at Kin Beach, where we will host TriathlonBC Junior Provincial Championships, as well as the third and final race of the Youth/Junior Draft Legal Series,” said Medcalf.

As of last week, some residents who live on Lakeshore Road have been put on evacuation alert; the neighbouring properties have put some road closures in place to safeguard infrastructure, the water has a lot of debris floating just under the surface, and water levels are predicted to continue to rise over the next two weeks.

“At this time, it is not predictable, safe, or respectful to area residents dealing with flooding, to host an event at this location,” said Medcalf.

If you are currently a registered participant, you are automatically registered for the event on Sept. 10, and organizers will keep you apprised of any changes and updates throughout the coming months.

If you are no longer able to attend due to the change in date, please e-mail VernonKidsTri@gmail.com so they may issue a roll over or refund, and remove you from the start list.

The Kal RATS’ annual sprint triathlon, slated for Sunday, June 25, has officially been cancelled for the first time ever.

“Already we have no beach and a very swampy park at Kin Beach, and the water has almost crossed the road,” said the club on its website. “So, it is with heavy hearts that for the first time since the RATS, began we are going to have to cancel our event this year due to the worst flooding in memory.”

The club will be in touch with athletes with respect to registration rollovers or refunds.