Kayak, film fest paddles into Port Angeles for second year this coming weekend

Published 12:01 am Sunday, April 12, 2015

PORT ANGELES — An expanded Port Angeles Kayak and Film Festival will land at Hollywood Beach this coming weekend.

Billed as a community event “where sea, lake and surf paddling converge,” the second-year festival will offer an expanded lineup of on-water and dryland classes taught by expert paddlers, an excursion exploring Port Angeles Harbor, an enlarged “test-drive” demo beach, a class just for kids, a poker run and a keynote presentation and film festival at Peninsula College.

The festival was created after the annual Port Angeles Kayak Symposium was discontinued several years ago.

Last year’s inaugural event drew hundreds of novices to expert paddlers.

This year’s festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, with most classes centered at Hollywood Beach near City Pier.

“We are so pleased to bring an event of this caliber to Port Angeles for a second year,” said Tammi Hinkle, owner of Adventures Through Kayaking, one of three local co-organizers of the festival.

“It’s truly a one-of-a-kind event; no other festival in the country highlights and promotes all classes of paddling.

“Participants can take an Eskimo rolling class, get educated on tides and currents, learn how to land their craft in surf, experience stand-up paddleboarding and much more.”

“The best part,” Hinkle added, “is that almost anyone can participate.”

Advanced registration for kayak courses and the Sunday morning harbor excursion is recommended.

To reserve a spot, go to www.portangeleskayakandfilm.com or phone 360-417-3015.

Registrations also will be accepted at a Friday evening welcome party at Barhop Brewing, 124 W. Railroad Ave., beginning at 7 p.m.

A registration tent will be stationed at Hollywood Beach during the festival.

“The festival is open to all levels and all ages,” Hinkle said.

“It’s a community event that we hope anyone with an interest will come out and enjoy.”

A complete list of classes taught by nine experts specializing in all genres of kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding is available on the event website.

Prices vary by class.

The cost of test-driving a kayak at the demo beach is $10.

Special pricing for kayaks and kayak accessories will be available throughout the festival.

Film festival

The keynote presentation and film festival at Peninsula College’s Maier Performance Hall on Saturday is free.

Ken Campbell, a professional kayaker and co-founder of the Ikkatsu Project, an initiative to raise awareness of the impact toxic pollutants are having on beaches and shorelines, will deliver the keynote address at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Campbell will then present “Message in a Plastic Bottle,” the Ikkatsu Project’s third film, which chronicles his 150-mile journey from Olympia to Bellingham on a kayak constructed of plastic bottles.

Five other short films will be shown.

Harbor excursion

Among the new events for this year’s festsival is the Sunday morning harbor excursion led by Olympic Peninsula Paddlers, Port Angeles’ kayak club.

The 4- to 5-mile excursion will depart from Hollywood Beach at 9 a.m. Sunday and explore the sights and sounds of Port Angeles Harbor.

Cost is $10.

Poker run

Also new to the 2015 festival is a poker run in which players receive a card for each class registration and for trying out a kayak at the demo beach.

The best hands will win prizes such as kayak trips, rentals and equipment from manufacturers.

A portion of the proceeds from the registrations and poker run will benefit the Feiro Marine Life Center in Port Angeles.

Class for children

Another new addition is an on-water introduction to sea kayaking for children 11 and older.

The $10 class will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

All equipment will be provided. Space is limited to eight participants.

“Getting kids outdoors and sharing positive experiences can have a lifelong effect to their future choices of entertainment,” Hinkle said.

“In today’s high-tech and fast-paced world, it is easy be disengaged from our natural world.

“It is important for kids to re-engage and [be] captivated with moving their kayak through the water, spotting an inquisitive seal or having a school of fish swim under their kayak.

“We like to think of this class as an opportunity to pay it forward for both the future of kayaking and the future of our upcoming generations.”