Man in critical condition after paddleboard collides with bridge abutment near Bowness Park
The adult male was pulled from the Bow River Thursday after hitting the 85th Street N.W. Bridge. Fire officials warn ankle leashes are dangerous on moving water.
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An adult male is in critical condition after his paddleboard collided with an abutment on the 85th Street N.W. Bridge near Bowness Park on Thursday, July 23, around 1:10 p.m.
Fire crews arrived to find the man face down in the water, tethered to his paddleboard by an ankle leash near the bridge abutment. CPR was performed on shore before he was transported to Foothills Medical Centre in critical condition. His 11-year-old son, who floated downriver following the collision, was brought to shore by a bystander and assessed by EMS with no reported medical concerns.
Battalion Chief Bruce Barrs explained that despite the man wearing a personal flotation device, the river's powerful current pulled him under the water while the ankle leash kept him tethered to the board.
The Calgary Fire Department issued a formal warning against using paddleboard ankle leashes on moving water. The department noted that paddleboard leash usage has resulted in at least two aquatic fatalities and multiple serious incidents in recent years. Officials stressed that the high risk of entanglement can trap someone underwater, making it impossible to detach the leash during an emergency given the river's force.
Standup paddleboards have become increasingly popular on Calgary's waterways and are now trending in rescue incidents. During June's high-water event on the Bow River, crews rescued three paddleboarders. Those concerned about losing a board if they fall off are advised to write their phone number on it instead of using an ankle leash.
The facts
What happened to the man near Bowness Park on July 23, 2026?
An adult male's paddleboard collided with an abutment on the 85th Street N.W. Bridge around 1:10 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2026. Fire crews found him face down in the water, tethered to his paddleboard by an ankle leash. He was pulled from the Bow River, given CPR on shore, and transported to Foothills Medical Centre in critical condition.
Why does the Calgary Fire Department warn against paddleboard ankle leashes on moving water?
The Calgary Fire Department warns that ankle leashes can trap paddleboarders underwater by keeping them tethered to their board while the river's current pulls them under. The department noted that paddleboard leash usage has resulted in at least two aquatic fatalities and multiple serious incidents in recent years, making it impossible to detach the leash during an emergency.
What alternative does the fire department suggest to using an ankle leash?
The Calgary Fire Department advises paddleboarders concerned about losing their board to write their phone number on it instead of using an ankle leash.
