Man critically injured after Bow River incident, warning issued
Posted Jul 24, 2026 11:19 am.
Last Updated Jul 24, 2026 2:59 pm.
Authorities say they’re reminding Calgarians of a potentially deadly issue with paddleboards after a serious accident on the Bow River involving a father and his young son.
The Calgary fire department says the man is in critical condition after his paddleboard collided with an abutment on the 85th Street N.W. Bridge by Bowness Park Thursday.
Fire crews responded at about 1:10 p.m., and the man was found face down in the water and attached to his paddleboard leash near the bridge abutment.
His 11-year-old son was brought to shore by a bystander after floating downriver and was assessed by EMS as having no medical concerns.
Calgary fire officials say the man wasn’t wearing a flotation device, was attached to the paddleboard with an ankle leash, and a strong current pulled him under the water.
“The Calgary Fire Department reminds Calgarians that paddleboard ankle leashes are not safe for use on moving water,” the department states in a news release, “Paddleboard leash usage has resulted in at least two aquatic fatalities and other serious incidents in recent years.”
Fire officials warn against using the ankle leash while paddleboarding on the river, and if worried you’ll fall off and lose the board, you should consider putting your phone number on it.
“Using anchors on moving water poses a similar risk. There is a high risk of being pulled under water or getting the leash entangled, which can trap someone under water as the force of the river may make it impossible to detach the leash during an emergency.”
The fire department says “standup paddleboards are increasingly popular on Calgary’s waterways and are trending within this year’s aquatic rescue incidents, including three paddleboarders rescued on the Bow River during the June 2026 high water event and river safety advisory.”
Meanwhile, Calgary fire officials expressed other concern as well about water enthusiasts.
“Seeing people just not have a game plan, an exit plan. You can enter the water and around Bowness Park and you get out and before you know it, you’re at Harvey Passage and that’s a long day in the water and it can be daunting,” Assistant deputy fire chief James Docherty told CityNews, “moreover, the water is cooler than people expect.”
The service is also seeing some enter the Bow River with inappropriate flotation devices and without an understanding of the strength of the current and are reminding Calgarians of the importance of practicing water safety.
