Kayaking at the WEM Wave Pool

Local kayak clubs rent the wave pool at the West Edmonton Mall a few times every winter. It's a welcome break from flat water pool sessions and probably the easiest place to learn to surf. It's also ideal for practising wavewheels and kickflips.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• whitewater
• kayak
• kayaking
• West
• Ed
• Edmonton
• Mall
• WEM
• Wave
• Pool
• Mistaya
• Paddling
• Club
• surf
• spin
• wavewheel
• kickflip

[mielecustomer22]

Wow! Those waves look awesome. But the kayakers are able to paddle right up close to where the waves come from where as swimmers are not allowed anywhere near that point. Do you think the waves are high enough or would you like them to be higher? I think they might be dangerous if they were any higher and I hope there were lifeguards watching. It was very good to see kayaking in a wave pool.

[kayak2hell]

@mielecustomer22 I have only ever seen 3 of the 6 baffles that generate the waves working. It would be great to see 4 or even 5 baffles in operation. Bigger waves are definitely better for kayaking; however, there is a rip current along the sides that is fairly strong to swim against.

[y0seph12]

So they don't kayak in winter there?

[kayak2hell]

@y0seph12 Actually, they only kayak there during the winter (December to March typically). However, it's rented by various Alberta kayaking clubs so contact Mistaya Paddling Club, United Alberta Paddling Society, Northwest Voyageurs Canoe & Kayak Club, or Paddle Junkies.

[gamer2289]

How much does it cost to rent

[kayak2hell]

@gamer2289 Not sure exactly, but we usually pay $25 or $30 per person depending on whether it's a 2 or 3 hour time slot. Usually there's a limit of ~20 kayakers; however, I don't know what the breakeven point is (presumably around 12-15?).

[mielecustomer22]

@kayak2hell This sounds very exciting and I agree that they should put the bigger waves on so that ther is more fun to be had. The waves that you got were high but if they could go higher then that's great and very fun. I think that would cause mopre capsizes though but if you're good canoeists then that won't be too much of a worry. What are the waves like at their biggest?

[y0seph12]

@kayak2hell No, I meant why don't they kayak outside in the winter. I just realized you're in Canada as opposed to the northern US, so that explains it.

[mrsteveo19ify]

i went there 2 times any one know kelly clarke from calgray alberta

[orpheuscna]

@kayak2hell Many Thanks.