Events

300+ sea kayakers, standup paddleboarders and prospective newbies to the sport are expected on Hollywood Beach for the Port Angeles Kayak Symposium. Beginner-friendly paddling clinics and intense advanced-level courses go on all weekend, both on the water and on land. Meanwhile the Red Lion’s Peninsula Room will host 17 sessions of classroom instruction and entertainment. 

Dave King, of event host Olympic Raft and Kayak, expects a strong contingent of attendees from outside the local Clallam County area, including paddlers looking for a scenic weekend of instruction, as well as popular instructors such as Wayne Horodowich of the University of Sea Kayaking, Chris Mitchell of Secondwind Sports, and young filmmaker/adventurer Shane Robinson of The Kamchatka Project. But, King says, “we have more than our share of top paddling teachers right here on the North Olympic Peninsula, like Deb Volturno, Rob Casey, and Gary Korb. Their leadership in the paddlesports world extends far beyond the local area, especially in the realm of safety”. 

Volturno is leading a clinic on “Debacle Deterrence”, her title for a 2-hour risk management clinic. She’s also teaming with Korb to instruct experienced paddlers on how to build their skills in the surf, and she’s hosting a Saturday evening show featuring the exploits of the Tsunami Rangers, of which she is a long-standing member. Standup Paddleboard (SUP) instructor Casey is leading 3 clinics for beginner paddlers, another for SUPs in the surf, and he’s promoting his new SUP book in between classes.    

The signature attraction of the Symposium is, as always, the opportunity to try out dozens of new kayaks and paddleboards at Hollywood Beach. “Some people come for the sale prices”, says King, “but most come for the chance try all the coolest gear, on the water.” For just $5 or a food bank donation, guests can spend the day chatting with the sport’s experts and learning which boat might be the right one for them. 

Meanwhile, King continues to innovate. New this year are a rescue skills contest, a kayak polo tourney, clinics on racing skills for those who want to join the growing paddlesports competition circuit, and, on both Saturday and Sunday mornings, an hour of movement with the Feldenkrais Method ® titled “Whole Body Kayaking” and led by Peninsula local Jory Kahn.
Event summary:

• Event – 11th Annual Port Angeles Kayak Symposium
• Date– April 15 – 17, 2011
• Time – 2-9pm Friday, 8am-9pm Saturday, 8am-3pm Sunday
• Location– Hollywood Beach, in front of the Red Lion Hotel, 221 N. Lincoln, Port Angeles, WA 98362
• More info (for publication): Bill Walker, rubycreekboathouse@gmail.com, 206-940-6269
• Web URL - http://www.raftandkayak.com/sea-kayak-trips/kayak-symposium/
• Cost of attending – free to browse and talk to exhibitors, $5 to try out kayaks and paddleboards, $5- $35 per session for classes (see registration on the web page)

Olympic Raft and Kayak has been operating raft trips and selling kayaks and paddling gear for over 25 years at 123 Lake Aldwell Road, West of Port Angeles where Highway 101 crosses the Elwha River. 
Contact info:
Event Director Bill Walker, Ruby Creek Boathouse: 206-940-6269, rubycreekboathouse@gmail.com
Event Host Dave King, Olympic Raft & Kayak, (888) 452-1443, dave@raftandkayak.com
Event web site: http://www.raftandkayak.com/sea-kayak-trips/kayak-symposium/

More info on:
University of Sea Kayaking http://www.useakayak.org/
Secondwind Sports http://www.secondwindsports.net/
Kamchatka Project http://www.kamchatkaproject.org/
Tsunami Rangers http://tsunamirangers.com/
Rob Casey’s SUP book http://www.mountaineersbooks.org/productdetails.cfm?SKU=52534