Kettle River Paddle Fest

DATES: May 2 - 4, 2008
Location: Kettle River
Sandstone, Minnesota, USA
Tel: Tony Vavricka, 612-275-2062 Email: info@kettleriverpaddlefest.com
http://www.kettleriverpaddlefest.com/

DESCRIPTION: White water, flat water, river race, kayak rodeo: the Kettle River Paddle Fest offers a little of everything in the friendly small town of Sandstone, Minnesota. The Kettle River is designated as wild and scenic and is a beautiful float from the head-waters down to the St. Croix. Watch the kayak and canoe race, test paddle some boats, join the evening events at the Gas Light Bar in downtown Sandstone and check out the fireworks across the street.

Adirondack Paddlefest

DATES: May 16 - 18, 2008
Location: Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company
2855 Route 28
Old Forge, New York, USA
Tel: 315-369-6672
http://www.mountainmanoutdoors.com/AdirondackPaddlefest/tabid/93/Default.aspx

DESCRIPTION: The Nation's Largest On-Water Canoe and Kayak Sale. Adirondack Paddlefest 2008.  Over 1,000 Canoes and Kayaks on Sale! This year we’ll have a 16,000 square foot heated convention hall available in case of bad weather.

Paddlefest

DATES: May 16 - 18, 2008
Location: Laacke & Joys
1433 N Water Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Tel: 414-271-7878
http://www.laackeandjoys.com/paddlefest/

DESCRIPTION: For two days each spring, we supplement our demo fleet with truckloads of additional boats from our manufacturers to give you the best opportunity to test as many boats as it takes to find the one for your adventures.

MEC Ottawa Paddlefest

DATE: May 31, 2008
Location: Mooney's Bay Park
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Tel: 613-729-2700  Email: ottawapaddlefest@mec.ca
MEC Paddlefest – Ottawa

DESCRIPTION: This is great opportunity to learn how to paddle, learn new skills, and test out different boats. Paddlefest has something for everyone, all ages and all skill levels, from complete beginners to more experienced paddlers. Be prepared to get wet and have fun!

MEC Montreal Paddlefest

DATE: May 31, 2008
Location: Parc Regional des Rapides
Boulevard LaSalle
LaSalle, Quebec, Canada
Tel: 514-788-5878  Email: festivaguemontreal@mec.ca
MEC Paddlefest – Montreal

DESCRIPTION: MEC Montreal and its partners invite you to join in a fun-filled day focused on self-propelled watersports activities. This is a family-friendly festival, with boat demos, canoe and kayak lessons, and workshops for all skill levels.

Maine Canoe Symposium

DATES: June 6 - 8, 2008
Location: Camp Winona
35 Winona Road
Moose Pond
Bridgton, Maine, USA
Tel: 207-892-3121 Email: mcs@canoemaine.com
http://www.mainecanoesymposium.org/

DESCRIPTION: The Symposium allows participants of all ages to develop an understanding and appreciation of the diversity of North American canoeing heritage and to develop canoeing and related skills through educational workshops, presentations, and hands-on instruction.

MEC Winnipeg Paddlefest

DATE: June 8, 2008
Location: Fort Whyte Alive
1961 McCreary Road
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Tel: 204-943-4202  Email: winnipegpaddlefest@mec.ca
MEC Paddlefest – Winnipeg

DESCRIPTION: Paddle Manitoba's Paddlefest is an event intended for anyone interested in paddle sports, regardless of age or experience. There will be boat demonstrations, dry-land clinics, on-water clinics, and product knowledge sessions. All instruction provided will by from certified Paddle Canada instructors, and demonstrations will be performed by experienced outdoor professionals.

MEC Toronto Paddlefest

DATES: June 13 - 15, 2008
Location: Sunnyside Park Beach
1755 Lake Shore Blvd W
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Tel: 416-340-2667  Email: torontopaddlefest@mec.ca
MEC Paddlefest – Toronto

DESCRIPTION: Hosted by MEC, in partnership with the City of Toronto, Paddlefest is an urban celebration of canoeing, kayaking, and dragon boating. The festival will feature learning opportunities on water and on land. Paddlers of all skill levels are welcome. We are pleased to announce that this year we will be joined by: Justine Curgenven, Dubside, Michael Pardy, Bob Foote, Karen Knight, and Kevin Callan.

MEC Edmonton Paddlefest

DATE: June 14, 2008
Location: Rundle Park Paddling Centre
2909 113 Ave NW
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Tel: 780-488-6614   Email: edmontonpaddlefest@mec.ca
MEC Paddlefest – Edmonton

DESCRIPTION: Hosted by MEC in partnership with the City of Edmonton River Day Events, Paddlefest is an urban celebration of canoeing and kayaking. The day will feature learning opportunities on and off the water. Paddlers of all skill levels are welcome.

Callie Rohr Memorial Canoe Race

DATES: June 14 - 15, 2008
Location: Wisconsin River
Conover, Wisconsin, USA
Tel: 715-547-3639 Email: RWTCanoe@nnex.net
http://www.rwtcanoe.com/canoerace.htm

DESCRIPTION: The Fourth annual Callie Rohr Memorial Canoe Race is a 26 mile race on the Headwaters of the Wisconsin River. 12 Classes total for both Recreation and Pro Paddlers. Net proceeds donated to the American Brain Tumor Association for the purpose of funding brain tumor research. Full weekend of events complimenting the race.

MEC Victoria Paddlefest

DATE: June 15, 2008           
Location: Cadboro Gyro Park
Cadboro Bay
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Tel: 250-386-2667   Email: victoriapaddlefest@mec.ca
MEC Paddlefest – Victoria

DESCRIPTION: The second annual Victoria Paddlefest is a family event focused on education, fun, and safety on the water. This exciting one-day event hosts on-water courses and demonstrations and informative land-based seminars for beginner, intermediate, and advanced paddlers. Throughout the day there will be demonstrations by expert kayakers and canoeists. Everyone is welcome to test drive any of the demo canoes or kayaks available from our exhibitors.

Wooden Boat Show & Summer Solstice Festival

DATES: June 20 - 22, 2008
Location: North House Folk School
500 West Highway 61
Grand Marais, Minnesota, USA
Tel: 218-387-9762  Email: info@northouse.org
www.northhousefolkschool.com/events/woodenboatshow.html

DESCRIPTION: The 11th Annual Wooden Boat Show & Summer Solstice Festival. This is the North House’s biggest celebration of the year. Harbor-side activities, music, food, demonstrations and so much more. The Boats to Tools Auction will be on Saturday, June 21st.

Yukon River Quest

DATES: June 25 – 29, 2008
Location: Yukon River
Whitehorse to Dawson City, Yukon, Canada
Tel:  867-333-5628  Email: info@yukonriverquest.com
http://www.yukonriverquest.com/

DESCRIPTION: Tenth Yukon River Quest is the longest annual canoe and kayak race in the world. The 740-kilometer (460-mile) wilderness adventure paddling marathon is held on the Yukon River from Whitehorse to Dawson City in Canada's Yukon Territory. It begins with a mass start at 12:30 p.m. on Whitehorse’s Main Street, with teams running to their vessels on the Yukon River. Sponsored by the Yukon River Marathon Paddling Association.

Ohio River Way Paddlefest

DATES: June 27 – 28, 2008
Location: Coney Island Park
6201 Kellogg Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45228, USA
Tel: 513-588-6936   Email: info@ohioriverway.org
http://www.ohioriverway.org/paddlefest/

DESCRIPTION: The 6th Annual Ohio River paddle is recognized as the Midwest’s largest on-water canoe and kayak event. Paddlefest will draw over 1,500 paddlers to the Ohio river for canoeing, kayaking, entertainment, and fun. The signature event of Paddlefest is the Float Trip, a leisurely float down the Ohio River that allows both novice and seasoned paddlers a chance to safely enjoy the beauty of the river. This event also features paddle racing for adults and youths.

Brice Prairie Canoe Race & Pig Roast

DATE: June 28, 2008
Location: Upper Brice Prairie Boat Landing
County Hwy ZB
Brice Prairie, LaCrosse County, Wisconsin, USA
Tel: 608-781-1662
http://www.briceprairiecanoerace.org/

DESCRIPTION: Two-hour narrated trek downstream on the Black River through the backwaters of Lake Onalaska and the Upper Mississippi River Refuge to the Upper Brice Prairie Boat Landing. Must supply own canoe or kayak. Return transportation to Lytle's Landing is provided. The pork feed runs from 11:30 - 3:30pm. Then join in the four-mile water race.

MEC Calgary Paddlefest 

DATE: June 28, 2008
Location: Carburn Park
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Tel: 403-269-2420  Email: calgarypaddlefest@mec.ca
MEC Paddlefest – Calgary

DESCRIPTION: MEC Paddlefest offers paddling clinics, boat demos, and aims to educate individuals about water safety. Even if you don't want to get in a boat there will be on-land clinics, information sessions, and activities throughout the day. We welcome everuone from novice to expert. Paddlefest is an event for everyone, including recreational paddlers, canoe trippers, dragon boaters, single-blade and double-blade paddlers.

North Carolina Week of Rivers

DATES: June 28 – July 6, 2008
Location: Smoky Mountain Meadows Campground
755 East Alarka Road
Bryson City, North Carolina, USA
Email: cruise.chair@carolinacanoeclub.org
http://www.carolinacanoeclub.com/2008_WOR_Announcement.html

DESCRIPTION: Carolina Canoe Club's Week of Rivers. During this event you can paddle your canoe or kayak on some of the southeast's best whitewater and flatwater, take instruction from fabulous Nantahala Outdoor Center teachers, and participate in other courses and activities in the beautiful Smoky Mountains.

MEC Halifax Paddlefest

DATE: July 5, 2008           
Location: Graham's Grove Park
Lake Banook
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
Tel: 902-421-2667  Email: halifaxpaddlefest@mec.ca
MEC Paddlefest – Halifax

DESCRIPTION: MEC is pleased to present this urban celebration of the paddling season. The event offers on-land and on-water training. It's about canoes, kayaks, and what we do with them. Paddlefest welcomes absolute beginners, industry professionals, and anyone interested in paddling. For the benefit of the paddling community as a whole, come learn with us.

MEC Vancouver Paddlefest

DATE: July 6, 2008           
Location: Ambleside Park Beach
West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Tel: 604-990-4417  Email: vancouverpaddlefest@mec.ca
MEC Paddlefest - Vancouver

DESCRIPTION: MEC is pleased to present this urban celebration of the paddling season. Come and join us in this free event that celebrates canoeing and kayaking with on-land and on-water workshops. Paddlefest welcomes everyone from absolute beginners to paddle enthusiasts.

2008 American Canoe Association
Whitewater Open Canoe Downriver Nationals

DATES: July 8 – 13, 2008
Location: French Broad River
Hot Springs, North Carolina, USA
http://www.fbcanoeracing.org/nationals.html

DESCRIPTION: The four days of racing for the 2008 National Championships are Thursday through Sunday; July 10 - 13. The races will start in the morning before raft traffic on the river begins. The sprints are scheduled for Friday and downriver classes for Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The two days (July 8 - 9) preceding the race days are for practice, although the French Broad can be practiced at any time. The whole event will be held in Madison County, North Carolina, an area that offers outstanding hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and rafting in addition to whitewater canoeing.

Mississippi River Challenge

DATES: July 26 – 27, 2008
Location: Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park
9750 Egret Blvd
Coon Rapids, Minnesota, USA
Tel: 763-757-4700
http://www.mississippiriverchallenge.org/calendar.php

DESCRIPTION: The Mississippi River Challenge takes you on a journey from Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park to Grey Cloud Island. You’ll travel with voyageurs, paddle the only gorge on the Mississippi, and negotiate the cavernous St. Anthony and Ford Locks. At the historic Fort Snelling overnight camp, you will enjoy a hearty meal from Thousand Hills Cattle Company and celebrate with an evening of live music, historic reenactment and revelry.