Subaru Presents — 23rd Annual West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium

PORT TOWNSEND, Wash. – Colorful kayaks dot the beach and waters at Fort Worden State Park where hundreds of passionate paddlers of all ages and abilities come to learn new skills and improve techniques at the 23rd Annual West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium, the oldest and largest event of its kind in North America, September 15 – 17, 2006. The three-day event is packed with more than 50 clinics, lectures, demonstrations, and on-water classes taught by certified instructors, plus exhibits and retail booths, evening presentations, silent auctions benefiting two environmental water nonprofits, live music, and more.

A new class for 2006 will break conventional thought about water sports. “Adaptive Paddling Tips and Techniques” is all about adapting kayaks, paddles, gear, and techniques for persons with physical disabilities, sports injuries, preexisting conditions, and joint pain. “I’m quite passionate about getting people on the water who never dreamed they might be able to kayak,” said instructor Marna Powell, an American Canoe Association Open Water Coastal Kayak instructor with the Adaptive Paddling Endorsement. “I couldn't be more thrilled that WCSKS is taking a proactive stance on offering this adaptive paddling class!”

Other classroom-setting clinics focus on important topics like navigation and chart-reading, expedition or trip planning, nutrition and how to pack a kayak. On-water instruction covers various aspects from paddling techniques to “Greenland Rolling” for beginner to advanced kayakers.

“The idea is that by taking a one-hour class, you’ll get a sense of what you can learn and how quickly,” said Ginni Callahan, instructor coordinator, “because after the Symposium, your paddling skills will increase tremendously just through practice with an instructor. We want to help paddlers make those important educational connections.”

The Symposium brought together some of the finest American Canoe Association (ACA), British Canoe Union (BCU), and Canadian Recreational Canoe Association (CRCA) certified instructors on the West Coast.