Three-day festival celebrates paddle sports
If it floats,
Kayaks, canoes, voyageur canoes, war canoes, dragon boats – if it floats, you’ll find it at Paddlefest 2002, a new Whistler festival to celebrate spring and the return to hand-propelled water sports.
Running from June 7 to 9, the festival offers something for everyone.
There is the retail component, with sponsors and merchants setting up tents to display and sell their gear.
There is the educational component, with special tours and demonstrations.
There is an advocacy component, where people will discuss important issues affecting the industry, such as the recent trend towards run-of-river hydro projects.
Then there are the social and cultural events, such as First Nations salmon barbecues with dancers and storytellers, and a fun trip down the Cheakamus River.
All ages and abilities are welcome to take part in the festivities, and there are as many events tailored for beginners as there are for hardcore paddlers.
"There are a lot of free clinics and things, like a water safety course for kids and a one hour introduction to paddling where everyone will be shown the basics and then given a chance to try it for themselves," says Grant Lamont of Epic Events, one of Paddlefest’s main organizers. Paddler Magazine, Captain Holiday’s Kayak and Adventure School, the Whistler Kayak Club, and the Edgewater Outdoor Centre are also part of Paddlefest. Local First Nations from Mount Currie and D’Arcy are also getting involved, as is Tourism Whistler.
"We’re looking to get more people involved in water sports. The whole self-propelled segment is so big right now just by word of mouth it makes sense to concentrate our efforts on it, put this area on the map. This is a great place to canoe and kayak, as good as anywhere else you might go," Lamont says.
The organizers have already received a lot of feedback for the event from kayakers and exhibitors, mostly through the festival’s connection to Paddler Magazine. Paddling clubs are also well connected and the buzz is spreading through word of mouth.
"We’re getting a lot of response already, which is not bad for a new event with a very limited advertising budget," says Lamont.
He is expecting between 500 and 1,000 visitors over the course of the festival, including locals and paddlers from the Lower Mainland and Washington.
Don Butler, the owner and operator of Captain Holiday’s, is not expecting too much in the first year but sees Paddlefest taking off and becoming a large event.
"It’s good for Whistler and it’s good for the paddling community," says Butler.
"The whitewater here is of epic proportions, really. I remember going to council meetings 10 years ago and saying we could be one of the biggest whitewater destinations in the world. We have five good rivers within 20 minutes. We have nine more within an hour, hour and a half.
"It’s a growing sport. Ten years ago there were maybe half a dozen kayakers in Whistler. Now look at the roofs of cars, and you can see they’re everywhere. The club has a list of 80 kayakers in the area, and not everybody’s in the club."
Aside from the possibility of developing the whitewater tourism industry, Butler says events like Paddlefest are necessary to promote further unity among river and stream users. He believes that the run-of-river hydro projects that are currently being proposed for many of the local waterways could jeopardize the whitewater potential of the area before it can be tapped.
Butler was also instrumental in bringing the Whitewater Kayak Association of B.C. for their annual general meeting during Paddlefest, and the run-of-river hydro projects will definitely be on the agenda.
"Right now it’s in its first year, but down the road I can see this turning into a major event for the paddling community, and a place to network and get together on paddling issues," says Butler.
The majority of Paddlefest will be held at the Edgewater Outdoor Centre on the shores of Green Lake, and all tours to areas outside of Green Lake will begin at the centre.
Friday, June 7
9 a.m. – Hospitality tent opens, guests and exhibitors arrive and register. Also the first chance to get wet with free kayak tours on class 2/3 and 3/4 runs.
Noon to 2 p.m. – River of Golden Dreams tour, $50 per person.
1 p.m. – Free kayak tour, class 3/4 and 4/5 runs.
3 p.m. – Free introduction to water safety and canoe paddling.
5 p.m. – Native war canoe demonstration and clinic, $35 per person or half price for kids.
6 p.m. – Dinner and refreshments at Edgewater Outdoor Centre. Barbecue beef, chicken and veggie burgers, salad and desert, $15 per person.
Saturday, June 8
9 a.m. – Site expo opens for all suppliers, sponsors and participants. Free Whistler Kayak Club trips, class 2/3 and 3/4 runs.
10 a.m. – River of Golden Dreams tours, Green Lake tours by canoe or kayak; $50 for river tours, $29 for lake. Trips leave every hour on the hour.
Noon to 4 p.m. – Native War Canoe demo tours, $35 per person, half price for kids. Canoes leave every hour on the hour.
1 p.m. – Free Whistler Kayak Club trips, 3/4 and 4/5 runs.
2 p.m. – Kayak Freestyle Rodeo on the upper Cheakamus, hosted by Captain Holiday’s kayak school; $15 per person.
5 p.m. – Whitewater Kayak Association of B.C. annual general meeting at a site to be announced.
7 p.m. – Native Salmon Barbecue at Edgewater Outdoor Centre, featuring first nations dancing and story telling with Art Thevarge and Lillooet First Nations. Cost is $30 per person.
Sunday, June 9
9 a.m. – Site opens.
10 a.m. – Tours and clinics begin, including River of Golden Dreams, Green Lake and war canoes.
Noon to 2 p.m. – Kid’s Paddling Clinic for youth under the age of $15. Cost is $30 per person.
1 p.m. – Cheakamus River Run for Fun.
3 to 6 p.m. – Family River of Golden Dreams Tour, $50 for adults, $25 for kids.
7 p.m. – River Talk with Whistler Kayak Club. An information session on access issues related to the corridor and how to get involved to keep runs open for future generations. This will be followed by a wrap-up bonfire on house rock.
Captain Holiday’s Clinic Schedule
Guided tours of local rivers, plus a variety of clinics available for special Paddlefest rates.
Friday and Saturday (Day 1 and 2) Clinics
Creeking Clinic – Take part in a one-day clinic on the finest steep creeks in the area led by legendary creeker Stuart Smith. This clinic will focus on Grade 4 and beyond water, and covers water reading, safety, special creeking techniques, as well as a tour of some popular spots. Cost is $125 or US$90.
One Day Intro – A full-day introduction to kayaking on Alta Lake for those with little or no previous experience. Covers gear introduction, terminology, how to get in and out of the boats, strokes, braces and safety. After lunch participants learn rolling with personalized instruction. Cost is $150, or US$115.
Half Day Intro – A three hour course that includes the first half of the full introduction. You’ll probably want to stay for the afternoon and learn how to roll. Cost is $80 or US$60.
Two Day Intro – Includes the One Day Intro with another day on the river. On day two you’ll be on a relatively tame section of water, applying the skills you learned the day before on moving water. The morning will be spent on safety and technique, and the afternoon paddlers will practice running the river.
Kids Program (ages 8 to 13) – From 9 a.m. until noon, this course is designed to introduce kids to kayaking through games like kayak polo, relay races and the popular "rock launch." The cost is $65 or US$50, and includes the use of real whitewater equipment and snacks at break time.
Family Program – Parents learn the basics of kayaking with their kids. Play games and explore Alta Lake while instructors spend time coaching people individually. Provided in half, full and two-day formats. The cost is $245 (US$190) for a half day, $425 (US$315) for a full day, or $750 (US$565) for the two day course. Family rates include mom day and two kids under the age of 16.
Rolling Clinic – Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. Learn the art of rolling in an easy three-step progression. Previous kayak experience is an asset. Cost is $65 (US$50).
Playboating Clinic – Hosted by a National Rodeo Team member, this clinic will help you learn the techniques and tricks used by the pros at some of Whistler’s best play spots. There will be a fun rodeo event in the afternoon that’s open to everyone, with categories for all skill levels. Cost is $75 (US$55) for the clinic and $10 for the rodeo.
Sunday (Day 3) Clinics
River Running Clinic – Join ex-national team member Keith Klapstein from the Riverworks Kayak School who will teach the art of smooth river running to intermediate kayakers. Cost is $75 (US$55).
Cheakamus River Run for Fun – meet at House Rock Park 1 p.m. A fun timed race down a short section of the Cheakamus River with different categories for different skill levels.
