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Kelowna Water Bikes went live last week and is offering a fun and unique new way to hit the lake this summer.
Courtney and Matthew Schanche who moved to the region from Los Angeles in 2019, saw a gap in the Okanagan market for water bikes.
While they’re not a new concept, they don’t necessarily compare to other non–motorized water activities like paddleboarding, water trikes, kayaks, pedal boats and canoes already in the area.
Water bikes are much faster than these traditional modes reaching speeds up to 15km/h, and don’t require any special clothing or skill; it’s as simple as riding a bike.
“It has a propeller shaft system that makes the speed and maneuverability happen really easily, so it kinda’ checks all those boxes,” said Matthew Schanche.
“We also provide safety whistles, life jackets and we go over a basic safety protocol for a quick five-minute tutorial before you jump on the bikes.”
These extremely stabilized boats are virtually untippable and unsinkable, meaning you won’t get wet unless you want to.
Schanche added: “You can not get wet, expect for kinda’ putting in your feet initially. If you choose to, you don’t have to get wet at all.”
“Which I’ve tried paddleboarding a couple of times and I don’t always have that option, because I’ve fallen in so many times,” he laughed.
As they’re still in the early phases of their new business, they only have a fleet of four waterbikes ready for solo riders, couples or groups to rent.
The Schanche's hope to add additional boats this summer, as well as the option to cruise Kalamalka Lake or even launch from Kelowna.
For the time being, guests will head down to the Okanagan Centre Boat Launch to get pedalling on Okanagan Lake.
Learn more about Kelowna Water Bikes or book your next water adventure here.
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