Paddle Smart 2013

Paddle Smart 2013 will take place March 29th through the 31st at the Bangor Boat Show.

Always a sure sign of spring, Paddle Smart features workshops, information kiosks, door prizes and more (including a chance to win a sea kayak!) Visit Castine Kayak for more information.

Paddle Smart 2011

It's that time of the year again!

The 2011 Paddle Smart Symposium (always fun and interesting) will be held this upcoming weekend, Saturday AND Sunday, at the Bangor Auditorium.

This is a change of venue for Paddle Smart; it is going to be held in conjunction with the Bangor Boat Show. So now you have TWO good reasons to attend!

MaCKRO (Maine Canoe & Kayak Racing Organization) will host a "Prep For The Kenduskeag" workshop once again, on Saturday from 1-3pm. If you'd like to have some tips from race veterans with regard to outfitting your boat or general questions about getting ready for the race, you'll want to sit in on this popular discussion!

Unfortunately I will miss out on Paddle Smart this year as I will be out of town this weekend. Bummer! I think one must be present at the drawing to win the sea kayak, but I plan to buy a couple of tickets to show a little support for the venue anyway.

Full schedule and info is available via Castine Kayak.

Paddle Smart 2009 Safety Symposium

Learn how to stay safe on the water and win a sea kayak!

Karen at Castine Kayak Adventures informed me that the 2009 Paddle Smart Symposium will be held on April 10 at Husson University in Bangor, from 5pm to 9:30pm.

2009 Paddle Smart Event Schedule (PDF file)

Workshops, pool demos, interactive displays (and door prizes!) will round out this fun and instructive annual event. I've already picked up five sea kayak raffle tickets at Epic Sports!

Jeff Owen, President of MaCKRO, will present his "Preparing for the Kenduskeag" workshop which was very well received last year.

8th Annual Paddle Smart Canoe & Kayak Symposium - 4/12/08

The 2008 Paddle Smart Symposium will take place on Saturday, April 12th from 5-9:30pm at the Bangor YMCA.

Paddle Smart is all about safety on the water. There will be many Q&A sessions with guest speakers as well as watercraft safety demos in the pool.

SPECIAL NOTE FOR KENDUSKEAG PADDLERS:
Paddle Smart 2008 will include special discussions and demos to better prepare you for the Kenduskeag!

If you plan to do the Kenduskeag this year and you're a newbie (heck, even if you're not) there will be "presentations on equipping your canoe for the race, race strategy (for those more serious about getting down river in a hurry) and skills presentations on how to get out of the river in the event of a capsize", according to Jeff Strout of the Bangor Daily News.

As if that isn't enough of an incentive to attend Paddle Smart, consider that a $5 donation at the door will get you TWO tickets for a sea kayak drawing (at 9pm). Donations are optional, and there are many free door prizes as well.

Also, anyone interested in becoming a member of the Maine Canoe and Kayak Racing Organization (MaCKRO) will be able to do so at a special introductory rate of just $5.

For more information about Paddle Smart 2008, visit the Paddle Smart web page hosted by Castine Kayak. And there is this article by Jeff Strout in the Bangor Daily News.

One last note: this year, Paddle Smart will be held at the YMCA on Second Street in Bangor, and not at the Hammond Street location as in previous years.

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7th Annual Paddle Smart Symposium - 4/13/07

The 7th Annual Paddle Smart Symposium will be held on April 13 at the Bangor YMCA on Hammond Street from 5:00-9:30pm.

Admission is free, although donations are accepted and tickets will be sold for a sea kayak raffle. (The drawing will be held at 9:30). There are also free door prizes.

The symposium is chock full of interactive workshops and displays promoting education and safety on the water. An informed paddler is a safer paddler!

For more information and a schedule, visit the Paddle Smart website.

UPDATE 4/15/07: I attended Paddle Smart for the first time on Friday, and it was cool! I could sense a "buzz" throughout the venue; people are getting psyched about the upcoming paddling season. Make plans to attend next year if you've never been. It's an annual event worth supporting.