A Different Stroke For Every Folk Paddling Activities Helpful For Everyone From Novice To Expert

Sun., May 9, 1999

Rich Landers Outdoors Editor

There’s no excuse for being up the creek without a paddling course or event this year.

Trips, clinics and other events are being organized for canoeists and kayakers in Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

Whether you have a yen to relax on flatwater or learn the techniques for serious whitewater, there’s a niche carved for you this spring and summer.

Here’s a sampling of the services and activities, some of which require early registration.

Basic paddling classes

The Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club has highly skilled paddlers willing to share their knowledge with novices.

Participants must join the club and provide their own boats and gear. However, the club will provide paddling partners if needed. Club membership, $20 per household, is required. Two courses this spring teach fundamentals of paddling on calm and moving water.

June 5, introduction to Paddling, at Medical Lake, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Cost: $20 per boat.

June 10-11, 19-20, moving water clinic, includes evening indoor lectures June 10-11 and outdoor sessions on the Spokane River June 19-20. Cost: $60 per boat. To register for the classes, contact Dave Luzzo, 924-4576 or Larry Wood, 534-7788.

The club also has summer clinics and trips for paddlers who want to go beyond the basics.

Spokane City Parks and Recreation Department, 625-6200, also offers some basic paddling courses:

Three-hour indoor canoeing courses are scheduled June 6, 15, July 13 and Aug. 10, with sessions held 6-9 p.m. at Mountain Gear. Cost: $19.

June 18-20, sea kayak fundamentals, course held near the San Juan Islands. Cost: 259.

July 10, basic whitewater kayaking instruction on the Priest River. Cost: $119.

Whitewater paddling

Greg Goodyear from Jackson, Wyo., former U.S. Olympic Team paddler and founder of the Jackson Paddling School, is joining with Mick Hopkinson, New Zealand National Kayak Team coach, to teach several clinics this summer in the Sandpoint area.

June 22-23, Rolling clinics, two-hour, semi-private sessions, $50.

June 24-25, beyond beginner whitewater kayak techniques, $165.

June 28-29, intermediate whitewater kayaking techniques, $165.

June 26-27, whitewater rescue for all types of river runners, $165.

June 29-July 1, advanced whitewater kayak instructors workshop.

May 22 is the deadline to sign-up for any of these workshops. To register, call Full Spectrum Tours in Sandpoint, (208) 263-5975.

Paddling demonstrations

Mountain Gear’s annual Paddle Fair, which gives people a chance to paddle different models of canoes, kayaks and other water craft, is expanding to two days this year.

Saturday is flatwater day, with canoes, recreational kayaks and sea kayaks available for testing at Liberty Lake County Park, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

May 16 is whitewater day on the Spokane River. Paddlers will meet at 10 a.m. at Sullivan Park. People interested in various craft, ranging from whitewater canoes and kayaks to various types of catarafts and inflatables, will then be dispatched to different points on the river, depending on flows. Info: 325-9000.

May 22, Paddle Fest on Lake Pend Oreille, includes a full line of canoes, kayaks and sea kayaks to test, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Lakeside Inn in Sandpoint. Info: (208) 263-5975.

The Spokane Parks and Recreation Department, 625-6200, has a broad scope of trips offered at modest prices. Rentals and shuttles are provided.

Sign up early; many of these trips, especially the women’s-only and San Juan Islands outings, fill quickly. Following are some of the offerings:

Morning canoe and breakfast paddle, Saturday; women-only morning canoe and breakfast, Aug. 22; Women-only sea kayak trip to San Juan Islands, June 25-27 and Aug. 20-22; teen sea Kayak Trip (ages 13-18), Aug. 16-19, San Juan sea kayak for all groups, June 4-6; Ross Lake canoe trip, June 6-11; Prist River canoe trip, Jul 17.

Full Spectrum Tours based in Sandpoint offers a variety of sea-kayaking trips on Lake Pend Oreille and surrounding rivers and waters ranging from half-day paddles to multi-day and catered trips teamed with a powerboat capable of hauling and feeding a large group.

Info: (208) 263-5975.

RIVER CLEANUP Long Lake Volunteers are needed on May 22 to help the Spokane Canoe & Kayak Club and The Backpacking Club clean County Parks property on Long Lake. Info: Chuck Fisk, 327-8328, or Sheila Wagner-Harless, 464-0934.

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