Northwest Paddling Festival splashes down on May 11 and 12

The Largest Northwest paddling festival includes tours, demos, seminars and the Paddling Challenge.

May 10, 2018 4:30 pm
Photos of previous events courtesy of Northwest Paddling Festival
Photos of previous events courtesy of Northwest Paddling Festival

For expert paddlers or those looking to try sea kayaking or stand-up paddling for the first time, the eighth annual Northwest Paddling Festival will help them get started for a summer on the water.

Held at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah on May 11-12, the festival is the largest event of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. During the course of the two-day celebration of paddle sports, attendees can demo boats, take kayak tours and SUP yoga classes, attend seminars and check out gear from the more than 60 paddle sports businesses.

Free seminars are offered throughout the day on Saturday and are for all experience levels. Seminars for 2018 include: Sea Kayak Camping 101; Back Country Cooking; Dressing for Paddle Sports; Choosing the Right Kayak; Eight Essential Standup Paddleboard Yoga Poses; Ease of Family Paddling; and Kayak Fishing.

In addition to kayak and SUP demos, there will be on-water boot camp and yoga classes by Flow Motion Fitness and SUP yoga classes offered by Paddling Yogini.

A complete schedule and seminar descriptions can be found at www.northwestpaddlingfestival.com.

The event and seminars are free. There is a nominal fee of $10 to demo canoes, kayaks and SUPs. Those who register for the Paddling Challenge will receive a wrist band which is good for the whole day of demos.

There’s plenty for the kids to do and learn as well including sand castle building on the beach, corn hole and face painting. Kids eight years and older can kayak in a single or double up with their parents. Even the youngest of paddlers can join in the fun testing out the Aqua Paddler paddle boats.

The Northwest Paddling Challenge will take place on May 12 at 10:30 a.m.

This spectator-friendly race features a six-mile course of kayakers, stand-up paddleboarders and outriggers in a three-lap race along the shores. There will also be a two-mile course for those interested in a shorter run or just new to racing.

The cost to register is $35 and includes a competitor race T-shirt and a wrist band for on-water demos during the remained of the event. Pre-registration can be done at www.northwestpaddlingfestival.com or day-of at the event.