Your safety on the water
We take water safety seriously. From hourly rescue patrols to real-time fleet tracking, here's how we keep every guest safe on Bearspaw Reservoir.
Life Jackets
Mandatory for everyone, every time. No exceptions.
Wind Monitoring
Boats pause at 21 km/h, operations close at 25 km/h.
Hourly Patrols
Rescue boat checks every boat, every hour.
Fleet Tracking
Every boat is GPS-tagged. We always know where you are.
Hourly Rescue Boat Patrol
Every hour, two trained staff members board the rescue boat and head out onto the reservoir. Both carry a valid Pleasure Craft Operator Card and current First Aid certification. They take a printed manifest of every boat currently on the water — who's in it, what type of boat, and its assigned zone — and physically check on each one.
Manifest on board
A live list of every boat out, who rented it, and its designated paddling zone.
Visual check
Patrol staff visually confirm each boat is upright, wearing life jackets, and within bounds.
Certified crew
Both patrol staff hold a boat licence and First Aid — ready to respond immediately.
Rescue ready
The rescue boat carries extra life jackets, a first aid kit, tow rope, and radio at all times.
Every Boat, Tracked
Every vessel in our fleet is GPS-tagged. At any given moment, dock staff can see exactly how many boats are on the water, where each one is, and how long it's been out. If a boat drifts outside the designated zone or hasn't returned on time, staff are alerted immediately.
Boat tagged & registered before launch
Location visible on dock monitor in real time
Alert triggers if overdue or out of bounds
Inside Every Boat
Each boat has a waterproof information card secured inside with everything you need:
Boat rules
Capacity, boundaries, and safe operation for that specific vessel.
How to reach us
Dock phone and text number for questions or help on the water.
Air horn signals
1 toot = be alert to surroundings & weather. 2 toots = make your way back. 3 toots = get to shore or the dock immediately.
Life jacket reminder
Reiterates that jackets stay on at all times, with sizing info.
Wind & Weather Thresholds
We monitor wind conditions continuously. Safety comes before convenience — when the wind picks up, we follow strict protocols:
Under 21 km/h — Normal Operations
All boats out as normal. Patrols continue hourly.
Over 21 km/h — Boats Paused
No new boats launch. Staff contact boats on the water and begin checking in.
25 km/h or higher — Full Closure
Operations close. Rescue boat brings everyone back to the dock immediately.
Cochrane Fire & Rescue
We're proud to partner with Cochrane Fire & Rescue, who patrol our area and have direct land access to the marina. In the event of a serious emergency beyond what our on-water team can handle, Cochrane Fire & Rescue can respond by land or water.
Patrol our area
Active presence on the reservoir and surrounding parkland.
Land access to marina
Can reach us by road for rapid land-based response.
Trained & Certified Staff
Every member of our team is equipped with the training and certifications needed to keep you safe on and off the water.
Intermediate First Aid
All staff hold Intermediate First Aid certification, including hypothermia response.
CPR & Defibrillator
Every staff member is trained in CPR and AED (defibrillator) use.
Boat Licence
All staff carry a valid Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
Lifeguard Certified
More than half of our team holds active lifeguard certification.
Life Jackets Are Mandatory
Every person — adult or child — must wear a properly fitted life jacket before stepping into any boat. No exceptions, no excuses. Our staff will help you find the right size and ensure it's fastened correctly before you launch.
Emergency on the water?
Call 911, then contact dock staff immediately.