Image by Charleston County Parks and Recreation
Attention paddlers of all ages and skill levels: the 21st Annual East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival is back and bigger than ever. This year's even is scheduled for April 15-17 at the James Island County Park.
Each year East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival brings together paddling enthusiasts of all levels with world-renowned instructors and equipment manufacturers. The action-packed festival features a multitude of on-water classes, lectures and demonstrations directed to the novice and the experienced paddler. Plus, over 50 commercial exhibitors will be on-hand to give you a chance to try the latest equipment before you buy. This year’s featured speakers will be Nathalie and Alain Antognelli, a Monegasque couple who are both professional photographers and passionate nature enthusiasts. The Antognellis will speak on Greenland, climate change and their adventures in sea kayaking.
The heart of the festival is the simultaneous running of four classrooms throughout the three-day event. Refine your skills in a master class presented by many of the paddling world’s leading experts. Learn new strokes, rescues or rolls with expert instruction. Meet other knowledgeable paddle sport enthusiasts. A wide variety of topics include paddling photography, exotic paddling locations, how-to sessions on navigation, selecting or repairing equipment, safety and rescue, and even preparing gourmet cuisine fresh from your dry bag.
A family-friendly weekend, children are also welcome to the festival. Learn to paddle as a family in clinics, compete in a cardboard canoe race, or register young paddlers in canoe and kayak camps (ages 6-12). Plus, kids are free to take part in the festival activities when accompanied by a registered adult.
For just the $1 per person admission to the park, visitors can come to James Island County Park and enjoy the sights, sounds and shopping at the festival. Registration packages for classes, lectures and demonstrations range from sampler passes to full-weekend passes – perfect for all levels and abilities! For more information, schedules and to register call (843) 795-4FUN or visit the official even website.
