What??!!
Okanagan Lake is not the best swimming spot in BC?
A recent survey by Zolo.ca, Canada's largest real estate marketplace, saw more people pick Cultus Lake near Chilliwack as their favourite swimming hole, leaving Okanagan Lake in second place.
But there is consolation: Okanagan Lake was voted the best lake for swimming in the Interior.
For those of us in the Okanagan, we know our 135-kilometre lake, which meanders from Penticton in the south to Vernon in the north, with Summerland, Peachland, West Kelowna, Kelowna, Lake Country and Fintry in between, is tops in the province.
The only explanation for Okanagan Lake not dominating is more people in the Vancouver area, who are familiar with Cultus Lake near Chilliwack, must have been contacted for the survey.
After all, Okanagan Lake is deep and pristine, is dotted with spectacular beaches, is a haven for watersports and is warm enough to be inviting, but cool enough to be refreshing.
By the way, in the midst of this heat wave of 40-degree-plus weather, Okanagan Lake offers respite with a water temperature of 28C.
That's up 6 degrees in just four days.
Here's Zolo's top 10 list of best swimming lakes and spots in BC based on a survey of 400 people:
1. Cultus Lake near Chilliwack
2. Okanagan Lake
3. Kootenay Lake near Nelson
4. Harrison Lake north of Chilliwack
5. Windermere Lake at Invermere
6. Shuswap Lake near Salmon Arm
7. Cordova Bay Beach in Victoria
8. Christina Lake near Grand Forks
9. Kitsilano to Wreck Beach in Vancouver
10. Lost Lake in Whistler
A top 5 list was also generated for the Interior:
1. Okanagan Lake
2. Harrison Lake north of Chilliwack
3. Shuswap Lake
4. Chilliwack Lake
5. Kamloops Lake
We don't know why the Chilliwack area was included in the Interior, but it was.
Regardless of rankings or methodology, the message here is beat this record-breaking heat with a dip in your best-loved body of water.
