Currents
N E WS
JUMPSTART YOUR SEASON. PHOTO: COURTESY ONTARIO SEA KAYAK CENTRE
REFRESH YOUR SKILLS WITH THESE EARLY SEASON PADDLING EVENTS SPRING TRAINING
For many paddlers, the frigid waters and fickle weather of spring are am- ple excuse to stay on dry land until balmy summer days return. Pass on early season paddling, though, and you miss countless opportunities to refresh and refine skills before that big summer trip. Across the country, kayak event organizers are welcoming the wet weath- er of spring. Think of it as the ultimate spring training—after all, if you can master wet exits and rescues in May, imagine how easy they’ll be in August. “Spring is really the best time to get people excited about kayaking,” says
James Roberts, co-owner of Ontario Sea Kayak Centre (OSKC) and, with partner Dympna Hayes, founder of the annual Paddlepalooza Kayak Fes- tival, held in May on Georgian Bay. Early season events provide an opportunity to engage participants at an
accessible, grassroots level while months of paddling pleasure lie ahead— and spring fever is at its worst. For Roberts and Hayes, Paddlepalooza is a chance to reconnect and help paddlers brush up on rusty skills after a long winter off the water. Further south, spring offers an idyllic alchemy of air and water tempera-
tures, seemingly made just for paddlers. Traditional Inuit Paddlers of the Southeast organizer, Fern White, says participants at last year’s Summer- ton, South Carolina, event “enjoyed abundant sunshine, daytime tempera- tures in the ‘80s and water temperatures in the ‘70s.” Wherever you paddle, check out these great spring paddling events near you.—Virginia Marshall
SUWANNEE RIVER PADDLING FESTIVAL April 3–5; Suwannee River State Park, Florida
http://paddleflorida.org Situated in a state park at the confluence of the scenic Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers, the festival features paddling trips on both rivers, Saturday night concert, camping, hiking and an evening ghost tour.
EAST COAST PADDLESPORTS & OUTDOOR FESTIVAL April 17–19; Charleston, South Carolina
www.ccprc.com Kayaking, canoeing, standup paddling and more—enjoy beginner and master classes taught by leading instructors. Plus boat demos and more than 70 exhibitors showcasing the latest outdoor equipment.
PORT ANGELES KAYAK AND FILM FESTIVAL April 18–19; Port Angeles, Washington
http://portangeleskayakandfilm.com Open to all levels and ages, this community event celebrates all paddling, from sea and lake to river and surf. Learn about kayak fishing, take rolling and surf classes, get educated on tides and currents, and watch remarkable films of folks doing amazing feats.
TRADITIONAL INUIT PADDLERS OF THE SOUTHEAST May 15–17; Summerton, South Carolina
www.traditionalpaddlersretreat.org This second annual weekend fosters friendships, skills, knowledge and gear all built around traditional and Greenland paddling techniques and culture.
GEORGIAN BAY PADDLEPALOOZA May 22–24; Parry Sound, Ontario
www.ontarioseakayakcentre.com Featuring top coaches, superb scenery, great camping and a Saturday night party with live music, the festival includes on-water clinics in strokes, res- cues, rolling and more, plus dry land lessons on risk management, cooking, campcraft and navigation.
WOMEN ON WATER June 5–7; Parry Sound, Ontario
www.wildwomenexpeditions.com/wow This fun, all-women paddling festival is perfect for beginners to ad- vanced paddlers, featuring kayak, canoe and standup paddling (SUP) skills sessions.
20 PADDLING MAGAZINE
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82