Paddlers set for first-of-its-kind photo cache event at Memorial Lake, Sask.

A first-of-its-kind paddling event is scheduled to take place later this season on Memorial Lake near Shell Lake, Sask.

This unique “photo cache” adventure will launch on Sept. 13 at 9 a.m., from the kayak launch on the east side of the beach at the south end of the marina.

Organizer Heather Beauchesne said that while they currently have about 25 RSVPs, the number is expected to grow as the date approaches.

“It’s our first time hosting, so it’s hard to know how many will come, but we’re excited to see people out on the water,” Beauchesne said.

The event will feature a “photo cache,” an outdoor challenge inspired by scavenger hunts and geocaching. Instead of leaving physical objects along the shore, participants will capture photos at designated locations. This approach preserves the natural surroundings while encouraging paddlers to explore the lake’s hidden inlets and coves.

Captured images can be shared on social media, allowing friends and family to experience the event from afar and showcase the lake’s beauty, Beauchesne said.

Beauchesne said participants will enjoy both community and serenity amid some of the most picturesque scenery of the season.

“The lake and surrounding landscape provide a breathtaking backdrop,” she said.

With motorized watercraft off the lake for the season, paddlers can fully enjoy the calm, and the changing colours of the trees promise a vibrant, scenic paddle.

“Being that close to the water, self-propelled, surrounded by the natural sounds—it’s absolute bliss,” she added.

Local businesses such as The Chill Spot, Aurora Skies Resorts and Aurora Skies Outfitting have sponsored the event with various prizes.

This story was originally published in the Humboldt Journal. It is republished under a Creative Commons license as part of the Local Journalism Initiative.