Couple recently arrived in Vancouver
Searchers have recovered the bodies of a Filipino couple who drowned in a paddle boarding accident at Browning Lake at Murrin Park two days after they reported missing.
Family identified the bodies as that of Genesis Jeru Bague, 33 and Mariz Bello who were joining friends for a birthday party Saturday when the tragic accident happened. Police say they were not wearing life jackets.
A brother, Genesis Hanzel Bague, told CBC News that the couple had been together for a number of years and moved to Vancouver where they recently got married.
Bague said his brother was hoping to become a police officer in B.C.
“He’s working out a lot, and he’s really putting a lot of effort into joining the Vancouver police,” Bague said. “I was really excited for him because I think it’s really his dream.”
The couple enjoyed being outdoors together, hiking and camping, he said.
Transport Canada classifies stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) as human-powered vessels. You are legally required to carry a Canadian-approved life jacket or Personal Flotation Device (PFD) for each person on board, along with a sound-signalling device (like a whistle.
https://parks.canada.ca/voyage-travel/securite-safety/planche-paddleboard