#MeetWilden – Doug Copithorne

It’s time to ‪#‎MeetWilden‬! Please welcome featured resident, Doug Copithorne!

1. What is your name?

Doug Copithorne

2. Which Wilden neighbourhood do you live in?

My family and I live in the Upper Canyon neighbourhood. 

3. What do you do for work and where can we find you online?

I am a sales associate with Kelowna Motors for Mazda. You can contact me by email at [email protected] or [email protected], or on Facebook and Twitter. 

4. What do you do for play?

Sports are my biggest passion and hobby. In the past I have completed several marathons and Ironman triathlons, but recently I have decided to focus on cycling. I also enjoy coaching my daughter’s soccer team. She plays on the U12 squad with the Kelowna United soccer club. 

5. What is your secret superpower?

This is a tough one! But I think my superpower is determination. When I put my mind to something, I get it done, no matter what. This ability has helped me get through many difficult situations, and it is very useful when it comes to endurance sports!

6. What are some of you favourite things about living in Wilden?

There are so many great things about living in Wilden. The panoramic views of the valley, the spectacular sunrises every morning, the hiking trails, and the wildlife are just some that come to mind. In the winter, my family can go skating and play hockey on the pond near our house. As a cyclist, the terrain is also pretty unique—there are awesome hill climbs just outside my front door.

7. What is Kelowna’s best kept secret?

Probably the Volkmann Christmas tree farm on Spiers Road. They have a wide variety of trees to choose from, serve hot chocolate and cookies, and have very helpful and friendly staff. You can either go out to select and cut down your own tree, or the staff can do it for you. Going there to pick out our tree is one of my family’s favourite Christmas traditions. 

8. What is your favourite locally made product?

One of my favourite local products is the beer made by the TREE Brewing Company right here in Kelowna. The company has catchy labels and names for their products, and is very supportive of local events, such as the Granfondo Axel Merckx in Penticton.

9. If you could give $1M to charity, which one would you choose?

Without question, it would be the BC Cancer Society. It is a cause I am very passionate about, as I have lost many friends and family members to cancer in the past, and I know it touches the lives of so many others. Cancer is one disease I would love to see cured in my lifetime.

10. What is the one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

People might be surprised to know that I was actually an actor and international model for twelve years. I acted in movies, television series, and commercials, and modeled all over North America and Europe. 

11. If you weren’t living in the beautiful Okanagan, where would you live?

I think I would live somewhere on Vancouver Island. My family owned a salmon fishing resort on the Island for years, so I grew up working as a fishing guide, surrounded by boats and the ocean. One of my favourite places to be was out on a boat in the Desolation Sound, fishing and taking in the scenery. Although the Okanagan is a great place to live, I still miss that laid-back coastal lifestyle.