MEC Paddlefest Vancouver

Saturday, July 7, 2012 at Jericho Sailing Centre

MEC Paddlefest

About MEC Paddlefest

MEC Paddlefest is an urban celebration of all things paddlesport related. Whether you’re a beginner who’s never been in a boat, or an expert paddler looking to fine-tune your skills, there are plenty of learning opportunities both on water, and on land. Come make a splash with us at MEC Paddlefest Vancouver.

Registration

MEC Paddlefest is an excellent opportunity to connect to Vancouver’s active and diverse paddling community, and to learn about all types of self-propelled watersports activities. So come join the fun! This free event has something for everyone, so bring the whole family down to the sweetest paddling celebration of the summer.

Clinic registration will open four weeks before the event date.

Events

Courses are inexpensive, include all the gear you need to get on the water, and are taught by certified paddlesports instructors from Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak, Ecomarine, SKILS and MEC.

Dry land presentations (to be confirmed)

  • Yoga sport for paddlers
  • Kayaking 101
  • Boat outfitting and safety
  • Navigation for sea kayakers
  • How to pack a kayak

Water clinics (to be confirmed)

  • Guided tours
  • Intro to kayaking
  • Intro to rolling
  • Intro to stand-up paddling
  • Bracing and edging
  • Basic rescue
  • Surf ski/paddling fitness
  • Kids kayaking

SUP MEC!

Ever heard of Stand-up paddling (SUP)? Sign-up to have an intro lesson in this hot new sport!

Practiced by the Beach Boys of Waikiki, SUP is done on a big, stable surfboard-style board with a long canoe-style paddle. The principle is straightforward: you stand on the board and paddle yourself along. It’s a good core workout and a ton of fun!

All water clinic registrants are entered in our draw to win a fantastic Jimmy Styks Beaver Stand Up Paddleboard and a Cannon Adjustable Paddle. So get booking to be in with a chance to win.

Marketplace

Marketplace is your chance to purchase new and used paddling gear from a variety of participating vendors right at Paddlefest! This year Marketplace includes MEC Paddle Swap to swap, buy and sell used boats, paddling equipment and accessories.

Have a boat you want to sell? Looking to get set up with some great deals to get you on the water? MEC Paddle Swap is here to help. For more information contact us at vancouverpaddlefest@mec.ca.

Food service

There will be food vendors on-site, as well as at the Galley restaurant on the second floor of the Jericho Sailing Centre.

How to get there

Jericho Sailing Centre Association. 1300 Discovery Street, Vancouver, BC. Check Translink for bus schedules, route maps, and fare information.

Pay parking in effect within park area. $2/two hours and $6/all day maximum.

Free secure bike parking on-site with the Bicycle Valet.


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Participation

Everyone can come learn with us, even if you have never been in a boat. All paddlers must take the Kayaking 101 course on land before getting in a boat. All on-water participants will be required to sign a waiver and they must wear a PFD or life jacket.

Children are welcome, but must be supervised. There is no childcare.

This event will run rain or shine. In the event of lightning or other dangerous weather on-water activities may be temporarily suspended, but on-land events will proceed as scheduled. As long as it’s safe, we’ll be on the water.

What to bring

We will have a variety of boats and boards available. We will also provide PFDs, paddles, and safety equipment, but if you have your own, bring it along.

Make sure to wear quick-dry clothing (you may get wet). Don’t forget a change of clothes, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses (and a lanyard to keep your sunglasses from sinking to the ocean floor).

2011 Exhibitors

Exhibitors include leading boat and equipment manufacturers, as well as a well-rounded selection of retailers, schools, and clubs. Last year’s exhibitors included:

  • Aqualung West (Stohlquist, H2O Audio, Princeton Tec, US Divers)
  • Aquaventure Sales (Old Town, Ocean Kayak, Lendal Padles)
  • Atlantis Kayaks
  • Baja Kayak Adventure Tours
  • BC Cetacean Sightings Network
  • BC Canoe Kayak Sailing
  • BC Marine Trail Network Association
  • Burrard Inlet Environmental Action Program
  • Clif Bar
  • Coastal Waters Recreation Maps
  • CPAWS
  • Dogwood Initiative
  • Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak
  • DRP Designs
  • Ecomarine
  • Ethical Deal
  • Feathercraft
  • Fraser River Ripple Effect Relay & Fundraiser Relay
  • Fraser Riverkeeper
  • Georgia Strait Alliance
  • H2O Audio
  • Kokatat
  • Momentum/St Moritz
  • Mustang
  • Ocean Roots
  • Orca Canoes & Kayaks Ltd.
  • P&H / Pyranha/ Venture Kayaks
  • Pacific International Kayak Association
  • Rocky Point Kayak
  • Sharktruth
  • Stand Up Paddle Vancouver
  • Sterling Kayaks
  • Surfrider Foundation
  • TKO Sportswear
  • Transport Canada
  • Vancouver Aquarium: BC Hydro Aquavan
  • Western Canoeing & Kayaking
  • Windsure

Who to contact

For information on MEC Paddlefest, inquiries regarding booth space, or to become a presenter, please contact:

There will be excellent photo and filming opportunities for capturing on-water paddling images. Media are invited to a complimentary paddling clinic (subject to availability). Please confirm your presence at the event to receive an accreditation.

Sponsors

Ecomarine Ocean Kayak Centre

Deep Cove Kayak

Jericho Sailing Centre