Paddleboarder cleaning up Okanagan lakes gifted new board

It was just a few months ago that Vernon paddleboarder Aaron Nasipayko began making headlines for his efforts to clean up local lakes. The community quickly rallied behind him with support.

Unfortuantely, due to heavy use in recent months while collecting trash and various debris from Okanagan and Kalamalka lakeshores, his paddleboard has paid the price of his hard work.

Hearing this news, Telus sprung into action. A group of about 20 supporters surprised Nasipayko Thursday morning at the Rail Trail Cafe to gift him a free replacement board.

Related: Vernon paddleboarder cleaning up Kalamalka Lake

Related: Vernon paddleboarder expands lake clean-up goal

鈥淯ntil you鈥檙e out there and actually get to experience it, you just don鈥檛 know what it鈥檚 like and what needs to be done to create change. I just want to thank all of you for being big supporters because we need to take more pride in our lakes for our children, for the next generation, so we can all enjoy,鈥� he said.

鈥淭his lake connects us all 鈥� whether it鈥檚 business, or a place of serenity, or a place to decompress 鈥� so that鈥檚 why I鈥檓 doing this because, for me, it brings peace to my soul and I鈥檓 just giving back to the lakes what they give to me.鈥�

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I鈥檓 coming for you 麻豆精选! Start assembling teams to make your mark on the lake! Your not going to let the North Okanagan show you how it鈥檚 done are you? 馃槈Okanagan 1 % Challenge! #okanaganpaddleproject @keepkallakeblue @okrailtrail @okanaganlake @okanaganlifestyle @okanaganexplorers @vernonmorningstar @rogerknox123 @tahoesup @okanagan_waterwise @paddlingmagazine @paddlecanada @kalclassic10 @amandashatzko @iNFOnews @castanetmedia @farmboundzerowaste Vernon#keepkallakeblue #beaclimatehero #climatechange #vernonbc #kelownaBC #pentictonBC #okanaganlake #beautifulbritishcolumbia #explorebc #sunlifefinancial #latitudefinancialservices #okanagan1%challenge @castanetmedia @kelownanow @bigsunvernon @iamlocality @otherware @bigsunvernon @crossfitvernon

A post shared by Aaron Nasipayko (@aaron_nasipayko) on May 19, 2019 at 2:58pm PDT

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A post shared by Aaron Nasipayko (@aaron_nasipayko) on May 24, 2019 at 10:27pm PDT

鈥淭hank you for making such an incredible difference for our shorelines, Aaron! You鈥檙e a huge inspiration for our team - let鈥檚 do this,鈥� wrote Telus on the Morning Star鈥檚 Facebook Live of the event. 

Many other Vernonites commented with similar messages of congratulations and thanks.

The presentation ceremony was especially timely, as Nasipayko announced Wednesday, May 28, that he has 鈥� after nearly two months of cleaning 鈥� reached the 25 per cent marker on Okanagan Lake. This meant he has completed 67.5 km of the 270 km goal.

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A post shared by Aaron Nasipayko (@aaron_nasipayko) on May 29, 2019 at 7:14pm PDT

鈥淭his has been so overwhelming,鈥� said Nasipayko. 鈥淭hank you to everyone who has stepped up and continue to step up to help clean our shorelines because it has become a disaster. It needs to continue because we have a long way to go yet.鈥�

Related: Paddleboarder completes Okanagan Lake crossing fundraiser

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