A sudden windstorm swept across the Okanagan Thursday afternoon catching boaters by surprise and prompting a plea from the RCMP.
Mounties urged boaters to get off the water as howling winds in Kelowna created waves over two metres high in some locations.
No one was hurt but several small craft were swamped and one boy had to be rescued from the waters north of Kelowna when his canoe capsized.
Search and rescue crews in Vernon also had to scramble when a dock broke free as a man stood at the end, fishing.
The dock was swept out into Okanagan Lake but officials say the man eventually managed to swim to shore.
Environment Canada recorded gusts of nearly 45 kilometres per hour on Thursday but says winds should be lighter over Kelowna and Vernon on Friday.
