Calgary may be land-locked , but that doesn ’ t mean you have to resign yourself to staying high and dry — there are plenty of unique ways to enjoy being in , on , and around the water .

BY RACHAEL FREY

Boatloads of Fun When the weather heats up , Calgarians come out in droves with inflatable rafts to soak up the sun on a leisurely float down the Bow River . This beloved local pastime can be difficult to

navigate for some , but this year The Paddle Station ( page 40 ) has waded in to make it safer and more accessible for all . From tents set up on the river ’ s banks , fun-seekers can rent rafts or kayaks that include lifejackets

S . S . Moyie on the Glenmore Reservoir

( they must be worn according to city bylaw ), helmets , paddles , a dry bag , and a vessel safety kit . Start at Shouldice Park and float to either Prince ’ s Island or St . Patrick ’ s Island for a two to twoand-a-half hour trip , or try a half hour ride from Prince ’ s Island to St . Patrick ’ s Island . Then , take a shuttle back to your vehicle . All fun , no hassle . GOOD TO KNOW : The Paddle Station only accepts credit cards . It is illegal to be intoxicated on the water or transport alcohol , and this law is actively enforced on the Bow .

Dip a Toe If you find yourself in need of a refreshing break downtown , there are a couple of places where you can treat your feet to a dip . St . Patrick ’ s Island ( evexperience . com / patrickisland ) features a natural wading area where the waters from the

Bow River are calm and shallow , making for an ideal place to chill out and explore . The park also has a new playground , picnic areas , and nature zones . In the heart of downtown , you ’ ll find people of all ages and walks of life cooling their heels in Olympic Plaza ’ s large , calf-deep reflecting pool ( 228 - 8 Ave SE ). Over at Eau Claire Plaza , there ’ s a wading pool and an adjacent spray park that are wildly popular with the under-10 crowd ( 3 St & Riverfront Ave SW ). GOOD TO KNOW : For a list of all municipal wading pools , spray parks , and outdoor pools throughout the city , visit calgary . ca

Cruise Back in Time In the 1800s ( and in some cases , well into the 20th century ), many parts of Alberta and British Columbia were not accessible by road or rail —

PHOTOGRAPHS : ( TOP ) NEIL ZELLER ; ( LEFT ) COURTESY TRAVEL ALBERTA

24 where . ca JULY / AUGUST 2017