Experience Guide | Tourism Medicine Hat

Go With the Flow

Reta Boychuck is the owner of Canadian River Stand Up Paddle Board in British Columbia. She visited Medicine Hat in summer 2023 with friends to explore the outdoors in Southern Alberta. “We had no expectations, except to take in adventure and drink some qual ity coffee and beer,” says Boychuck. She and her crew, Ashley, Amanda, Alea sha, Andre, and their two sons, loaded up their rigs to float the South Saskatch ewan River in the heart of Medicine Hat. “Paddling below these massive cliffs makes you feel small. The mellow flow made it effortless for us to stay safe, while playing and splash ing around,” says Boychuck. They heard the story of how Medi cine Hat got its name and about the ‘breathing hole’. It was a must that they paddled to see the spot.

Afterwards, they had lunch at Medicine Hat Brewing Company on the beauti ful and cozy patio, with cheesy pizzas, hearty burgers, and fresh salads. The afternoon was spent stocking up the cooler with brews from the Highway 3 Ale Trail breweries, Medicine Hat Brewing Company , Hell’s Basement Brewery , and Travois Ale Works . Dinner to-go was from Grit City Dis tillery . The signature dill pickle pizza and some custom spirits made it back to the camper in Elkwater — Boychuck’s favourite being the coconut gin. “As the sun began to set, everyone came back to camp to unwind and share their tales,” says Boychuck.

“Paddling below these massive cliffs makes you feel small. The mellow flow made it effortless for us to stay safe, while playing and splashing around.”

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