Paddle festivals are upon us here in the Pacific Northwest, and Essex Explorers Instructors can be found giving seminars, and teaching on-the-water kayak classes at this year’s many events. Here is a highlight of some fairly new festivals that are fast becoming the “go to” events in WA. Plus some tried and true symposiums I try not to miss. A good deal of these festivals are now paying instructors and seminar speakers, so participants are guaranteed top notch qualified and certified paddlers to learn from. If you hurry this weekend is SSTIKS, at Twanoh State Park – see SSTIKS info below.

Puget Sound Sea Kayak Symposium – May 17^th & 18^th 2008 kicked of the season with some great weather, and a heavy emphasis on on-the-water classes. Julie at Metro Parks Tacoma organizes a great event, and the venue is Owens Beach at Point Defiance Park. This year’s event ran smoother than ever, and we even had a Minke Whale show up during one mornings instruction session. Here is a list of classes taught, and links to instructors bios

Columbia River Paddle Fest -May 30^th-31^st 2008 – In its second year, and yes sunnier weather in Richland, Eastern WA. This year the first day tailored to intermediate/advanced paddlers who pre registered for these classes , and was very popular. In between classes I shot a short video of the event to give viewers a feel of the beautiful park along the Columbia River in Richland. You know you are in Eastern WA when tumble weeds are in the river – actually they make great obstacles to teach paddling strokes around. See the flash video: columbia paddle fest08.flv Pat at Columbia Kayak Adventures is doing a great job organizing this event.

South Sound Traditional Kayak Inuit Symposium (SSTIKS) June 13-15^th 2008 Is the regions best traditional skills family orientated event held on Hood canal at Twanah State Park. Hurry and pre register or you will miss out. It’s the warmest saltwater around, and an ideal venue to focus on learning Greenland style rolling, as well as hands on workshops, and great kids track. Event schedule is here

Loco Roundup August 18^th-24^th 2008, is a great BCU emphasis week long event organized by Columbia River Kayaking and the Skamokawa Center. Fancy camping on a farm on Puget Island in the middle of the Columbia River? Then this event is for you. Slow Boat Farm is on Puget Island with bridge access from Cathlamet or via a ferry from the OR side, has water access to the Columbia River with many paddling opportunities locally including the mouth of the Columbia river nearby plus OR Coast explorations during the week long instruction and testing program, see course descriptions here.

West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium September 19^th-21^st. The largest tried and true event held on the west coast at the historic Fort Warden State Park in Port Townsend, the location of the filming of “An Officer and a Gentlemen”. If your looking for a ton of new kayaks to try out and a beach full of vendors this is the place for you. The instruction program is always popular, and fills up solid each session. If you know of some other paddle festivals in WA let us know when and where.

Tags: Video

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