Kayakers stage water rescue on the Bow ahead of fire crew arrival: CFD

The Bow River, a major part of the city's water supply, flows through the downtown as warm fall weather continues in Calgary on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)

Calgary fire crews were beaten to the bunch by a group of kayakers on Friday afternoon after they were called to rescue someone in the Bow River.

Calgary Fire Department public information officer Alex Kwan said crews responded to the Bow River around Deerfoot and Blackfoot Trail at 2:20 p.m. for reports of a possible water rescue.

However, on arrival they found some kayakers who told them one of the paddlers had flipped and needed assistance.

The kayakers who were still upright were able to help prior to the fire department’s arrival.

When CFD checked in with the kayakers, they were all wearing lifejackets and/or personal floating devices, and confirmed that everyone was safe and accounted for.

Earlier Friday afternoon, the fire department issued an advisory asking Calgarians to stay off the Bow and Elbow rivers due to rising water levels, saying the Bow River has exceeded safe recommended flow rates for boating, floating and swimming – and it’s expected that the Elbow River will continue to rise over the weekend.

“For the safety of river users and emergency responders, the Calgary Fire Department advises everyone to stay off the Bow and the Elbow Rivers until safer conditions return and the boating advisory is lifted,” said Kwan in a news release.

“We know that Calgarians love their rivers,” he added, “yet we also know that when our waterways flow this high and fast, there’s significant risk to anyone, regardless of your watercraft or skill level.”

The boating advisory will be in place until further notice.

With files from CTV News’ Melissa Gilligan