Water everywhere

We love being by, in and on the water in Manitoba, and we are lucky to have so many opportunities to enjoy it! 

Try a beach-packed road trip along 115 km of Lake Winnipeg’s southwestern shore, or one that takes you along the water’s edge of the historic Winnipeg River. The Travel Manitoba #ExploreMB blog is one of our favourites for discovering (and re-discovering!) Manitoba’s best.

Other water fun can be found in places like Pinawa, which offers floats on the channel with Float & Paddle, and Pinawa UnPlugged Eco Tours has single- and multi-rider tubes.

There’s Splash Island in Portage la Prairie. In eastern Manitoba, Lilac Resort offers a few nightly rental sites, including access to their oasis-style waterpark with three pools and a variety of waterslides. In the Interlake, there’s Rubber Ducky Resort and Campground. And of course, the City of Winnipeg has a number of free spray pads and wading pools to splash around in.

While we keep exploring in nature, parks, and even in our own backyards, it’s important to practice caution around water. July 21 to 27 is the Lifesaving Society Canada’s Drowning Prevention Week, always held in July when water incidents peak. Sadly, in Manitoba, on average, there are 22 fatal drownings every year. (Manitoba 2024 Drowning Report)

Life jackets and PFDs are the same thing.

False. A life jacket can turn the person over from face-down to face-up. A PFD, or personal flotation device, will keep a person floating, but not necessarily face up. Whether it is a life jacket or PFD, the most important thing to remember is to put it on. Not wearing one was the biggest factor in water-related deaths among middle-aged and older adults, and 74% of boating incidences in the 2024 report. 

People who are drowning thrash and yell for help.

False. In most cases, drowning is silent. Most cannot wave for help and they can’t shout out as they are struggling to breathe. 

It only takes a few seconds for a child to drown.

True. It can happen in the time it takes to check your phone. 

It’s okay to swim alone as long as you’re a strong swimmer. 

False. Don’t swim or boat by yourself. Even skilled and experienced swimmers can drown, particularly in open water which can be unpredictable. Among older adults 65+, swimming alone was identified as a risk factor present in 57% of fatalities. 

Alcohol consumption is a major contributing factor in drowning deaths.

True. The stats show the risk factor present in 42% of drownings while boating and 44% while swimming.

Learn more:

• Lifesaving Society of Manitoba Drowning Prevention Week
• Water Smart Parents from the Lifesaving Society
• Water Safety for Young Children from Healthy Parenting Winnipeg by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.
• Choosing lifejackets and personal flotation devices, Transport Canada
• Drowning prevention, Parachute