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Second annual Pemberton Paddlefest on Sunday

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Pembertonians...

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Pembertonians in the last four years it’s that they paddle well. They paddle extremely well. So well in fact that youth, women and mixed Dragon Boat teams are among the best in Canada, as proven year after year.

This Sunday, May 2, the local boating community is hosting its second annual Pemberton Paddlefest celebration on One Mile Lake. There will be refreshments, boat demonstrations, and an opportunity to try your hand at paddling canoes, voyageur canoes, outriggers and flatwater kayaks with instructors.

"Residents look with envy at canoes and kayaks at One Mile Lake all the time," says Meg Gallop, secretary of the Pemberton Canoe Club. "We discovered that there was incredible interest in getting involved – but people felt intimidated. So we started an event that encouraged people to try paddling in a friendly and non-threatening environment. It was a huge success last year."

Paddlefest 2 runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Members of the outrigger club, canoe and kayak club, and Laoyam Eagles, Bald Eagles and Pemberton Spirit dragon boat teams will be on hand to demonstrate the use of their respective water crafts. There will also be a barbecue to raise money for the Laoyam Eagles youth team, which will attend the World Dragon Boat Championships this year.

Paddles and lifejackets will be provided and the public is asked to dress for the weather, and be prepared to get wet.

The Pemberton Canoe Club was formed in 2003 and includes the outrigger club, canoe and kayak club, and local dragon boat teams. These groups include residents from the Pemberton area as well as Whistler, Squamish, and D’Arcy.

For more information on Paddlefest or the Pemberton Canoe Club contact Meg Gallop at 604-894-5035.