From coast to coast, early season paddling events offer great opportunities to refresh and refine skills before that big summer trip. Think of it as the ultimate spring training—after all, if you can master wet exits and rescues in May, imagine how easy they’ll be in August.
“Spring is really the best time to get people excited about kayaking,” says James Roberts, co-owner of Ontario Sea Kayak Centre (OSKC) and, with partner Dympna Hayes, founder of the annual Paddlepalooza Kayak Festival, held in May on Georgian Bay.
Early season events provide an opportunity for participants to engage with coaches and potential new paddling partners through an accessible, social chan- nel while months of paddling pleasure lie ahead—and spring fever is at its worst. Brush up on skills rusty from a long winter, swap gear that lay untouched last season, and trade stories around the campfire to find your next best paddling trip.
While northern paddlers will need wetsuits or drysuits to brave spring’s chilly waters, further south, spring offers an idyllic alchemy of air and water temperatures seemingly made just for paddlers. Whether April showers or May flowers, check out these great spring paddling events near you.
TRADITIONAL INUIT PADDLERS OF THE SOUTHEAST
May 13–15; Summerton, South Carolina| www.traditionalpaddlersretreat.com
This third annual weekend fosters friendships, skills, knowledge and gear all built around traditional and Greenland paddling techniques and culture. This year, join renowned mentors Helen Wilson, Christopher Crowhurst and Dubside to hone your strokes, rescues and rolling.
GEORGIAN BAY PADDLEPALOOZA
May 20–22; Parry Sound, Ontario | www.ontarioseakayakcentre.com
Featuring top coaches, superb scenery, great camping and a Saturday night party with live music and a limbo contest, the festival includes on-water clin- ics in strokes, rescues, rolling and more, plus dry land lessons on risk manage- ment, cooking, campcraft and navigation.
WOMEN ON WATER
June 10–12; Parry Sound, Ontario | www.ontarioseakayakcentre.com
This fun, all-women paddling festival is perfect for beginners to advanced paddlers, featuring kayak, canoe and standup paddling (SUP) skills sessions. Plus, don’t miss slipping into a mermaid tail for a twist on aquatic adventuring.
