Paddling festival returns to Lake Sammamish State Park Friday and Saturday

Published 8:30 am Wednesday, May 4, 2016

For expert paddlers or those looking to try it for the first time, the sixth annual Northwest Paddling Festival is the place to be to get started, this Friday and Saturday, at Lake Sammamish State Park.

In this two-day celebration of paddle sports, participants can demo kayaks and stand up paddleboards, take kayak tours, attend seminars, compete in the Northwest Paddling Challenge and check out the latest in gear and accessories from more than 60 paddle sports businesses.

Hours are 2 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 6 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 7. The event is free to the public. There is a $7 fee to try equipment.

Featured activities include: 45-minute Sea Kayak Tours by guides from Alki Kayak Tours, Kayak Academy and REI Outdoor School; Kids Zone activities; the Perfect Paddler Warm-up exercises; the Northwest Paddling Challenge Saturday at 10:30 a.m.; a kayak polo exhibition match, 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday; and a fire lighting competition.

For details, visit www.northwestpaddlingfestival.com.