'This is my mission': Advocate for safety along Thompson River calls for clearer warnings

Arden McLeod · CBC News

· Posted: Jul 18, 2026 10:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: July 18

In July 2024, Robert Griffiths saw two people struggling in the Thompson River near Kamloops Airport. He dove into the river alone and helped get both of them to shore safely.

"I nearly drowned down by the airport rescuing two international students," he told CBC's Daybreak Kamloops.

For his efforts, Griffiths was awarded a Commendation for Bravery from Kamloops Fire Rescue, the Royal Canadian Humane Society Silver Medal for Bravery, and the Lifesaving Society of B.C. and Yukon Silver Medal for Bravery.

Since then, Griffiths has started the Thompson Rivers Water Safety Society to advocate for more preventative measures around visitors and residents swimming in the river.

He said he's had conversations with the City of Kamloops about adding more detailed signs warning of the hazards and recent drownings.

The city didn't make those suggested changes, which prompted Griffiths to make his own signs.

"You can't cure drowning, right?" he said. "The only cure is prevention. Prevention goes a long way, and prevention means providing information at the place where the hazard exists."

Griffiths designed and paid for signs that he placed around Kamloops near popular swimming spots.

First, he installed signs at the Tournament Capital Ranch on June 23. Three days later, he placed warnings near the airport where he previously rescued two people from drowning.

He placed more signs throughout the city on July 6.

He said each sign he installed was removed by the city within a few days, accompanied by an email outlining fines and potential consequences for violating city bylaws.

In an email, the city said the removal wasn't based on the intent of the signs, but "were removed because they were installed without authorization on city infrastructure and public property."

Some of the signs made by Griffiths included the names of recent drowning victims in the Thompson River. He said he received a lot of feedback from the community that including those names "really drove the message home."

"There's nobody here speaking for Stan Cappis. There's nobody here for Jatin Garg," he said. "There's nobody here speaking for them. So this is my mission."

Griffiths hopes the City of Kamloops works with the Lifesaving Society of B.C. and Yukon to conduct a safety audit of the Thompson River, and more safety measures and detailed signage are implemented.

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"I don't think the city's doing an adequate job. One with the messaging, two with the number of signs, three with where they're putting them," Griffiths said. "Let's have the experts on water safety determine what is the best path for it."

The City of Kamloops said in an email that it recognizes the concerns of many community members about river safety and the tragic drowning incidents that have occurred in recent years.

It said public safety signage on city property must meet established standards and be co-ordinated through appropriate channels to ensure information is accurate and aligned with guidance from emergency responders and safety professionals, which is partly why Griffiths' signs were taken down.

The city said it's committed to improving water safety and it has been working with numerous community partners to advance a co-ordinated approach to education and awareness. 

It added that while the city is always open to reviewing best practices from organizations with expertise in water safety, such as the Lifesaving Society of B.C. and Yukon, no decision has been made regarding a formal audit.

Griffiths explained that preventative measures are often much more effective than any emergency response and he finds the "swim at your own risk" messaging flawed.

The City of Kamloops said it will continue to assess opportunities to strengthen water safety education and awareness in collaboration with its partners.