Paddling Events

The following events give you a chance to learn, demo/buy boats, see slide shows or surf your brains out!

ACA Adaptive Paddling Workshop - Big Bay, MI - held the 2nd weekend (thursday to friday) after Labor day.

• More information at APW

Down Wind Sports Paddle Expo - Marquette, MI - held 1st weekend in June

• Contact Down Wind Sports at DownWindSports.com or 906-226-7112

Canoecopia - Madison WI - held in March

• Check out this unique event at CanoeCopia.com

Surf Fest - Wawa, ONT - held first weekend in October

• Contact Naturally Superior Adventures at naturallysuperior.com or 800-203-9092

Symposiums are fun events that bring together paddlers. Often tours, lessons, boat demos and slide shows are included in the fee. At SKS we support symposiums but want to note the following:

1. Take at least a beginner lesson before attending a symposium because lessons there build on what you already know. There are situations (such as a high student to instructor ratio, limited lesson time and students who sign up for lessons beyond their ability level, etc.) that cause a lesson to be less than complete and comprehensive.
2. Many symposiums have a volunteer instructor staff who teach for free. Other symposiums have a staff that are actually paid to teach. With volunteers, some of who are part time instructors, the quality is erratic.

The following symposiums have a paid instructor staff:

Paddle Fest - Wawa, ONT - held weekend closest to July 1st

• Contact Naturally Superior Adventures at naturallysuperior.com or 800-203-9092

Two Harbors Kayak Festival - Two Harbors, MN - held first weekend in August

• Contact Two Harbors Kayak Festival at kayakfestival.org or 218-343-2526

The following symposiums have a volunteer instructor staff:

West Michigan Coastal Kayaking Association Symposium - Muskegon, MI - held Memorial Day weekend (last weekend in May)

• Contact wmcka.org

Inland Sea Kayak Symposium - Bayfield, WI - held mid to late June

• Contact Inland Sea Society at inlandsea.org or 715-682-8188

Rossport Sea Kayak Symposium - Rossport, ONT - held in June

• Contact Superior Outfitters at SuperiorOutfitters.on.ca or 807-824-3314

Door County Sea Kayak Symposium - Rowley’s Bay - held the weekend after July 4th.

• Contact Rutabaga at everyonepaddles.com

Grand Marais Sea Kayak Symposium - Grand Marais, MI - held second to last weekend in July

• Contact Larry Merx at 734-439-0049 or lmerx@nkfm.org

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