Paddle Festivals

Going Paddling
#1

I am finally taking early retirement in December so will be able to attend a few event. Problem is, the only paddle event in Arizona is the AzPaddlefest in Phoenix which I do yearly. I used to do talks on “How to Modify your Kayak” and “DIY Kayak/Camping gear”.
They closed down the SW Kayak Symposium in San Diego a few years ago so that let out SD as an event.

With time free, does anyone know of any such events within a couple days of Tucson?
The more I have to drive, the longer I want to stay as why drive three days of a day-long event?

#2

Lumpy Waters, OR, every October http://lumpywaters.com/Lumpy/

Every other February is Paddle Golden Gate in San Francisco. I think 2019 is an off year. https://www.paddlegoldengate.com/

Alternate years are Storm Gathering up in Trinidad (near Eureka, CA). Should be this spring. https://stormgatheringusa.wordpress.com/

Explore North Coast, a club up in Trinidad, does an unofficial event every May. Club members lead paddles for anyone who wants to go and has appropriate gear/skills for the paddle. Pot luck dinners. No charge. http://explorenorthcoast.net/events/

Various white water events throughout the year in CA, OR, and NV.

#3

Thank you, though these all seem to be in northern calif, well over 10-12 hours drive. For that long of a drive I would like to be at least 3 days on-site.

#4

Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium, Grand Marais, MI, July 17-21, 2019.

https://www.greatlakesseakayaksymposium.net/

Yes, a 32-hour drive from Tucson, but it’s five days of great coaching and community, and you can always go a bit further and spend some time exploring the Apostles afterward.

#5

Lumpy, PGG, and ENCT are 3 day events. Storm Gathering probably is also. That seems to be the normal length for these events.