Southwest Kayak Symposium, 2008

Aqua Adventures hosts a kayak symposium on Mission Bay in San Diego each year. We had another great event March 28-30 with a handful of talented coaches from across the country and a couple hundred enthusiastic kayakers! Our group took up 42 campsites at Campland so the folk from LA, NV, AZ, Mexico, and other places far and wide never even had to leave the event location! Even some locals chose to camp for the social atmosphere and convenience. We had a couple of great parties including a Friday evening event with music by Steve Wilson of California Kayak Friends, a slide show by Russell Farrow, and yummy food provided by the Hakala's of Valley Wide Kayak Club and many other generous contributers! The Saturday night beach bonfire ended a bit early when a light drizzle started, but the music by Nigel Foster, Steve Wilson, Russell Farrow and others was excellent.


We'll be doing it again next year March 27-29, so stay tuned!

Aqua Adventures is lucky to count 2 professional photographers among our friends. They have both taken beautiful photos for us for many years. Check out the symposium fun as shot by Mike Franklin at www.mpfranklin.com/symposium08/
There are lots of photos from the Saturday night bonfire....you might think kayakers like to party!

The photos on this post were shot by Dominique Lemarie. Visit his website at http://www.dlphotopets.com/ to see more of his work including some spectacular kayaking surfing phots!


We had some "firsts" at the symposium this year icluding kayak surfing classes by current World Champion Sean Morley, plus the US premier of Nigel Foster's newest kayak design - the Whiskey, made by Point65.

2008 vital statistics:



Coaches:
Nigel Foster, Seattle, WA
Steve Maynard, Plattsburgh, NY
Brent Reitz, Monterey, CA
Russell Farrow, Sweetwater Kayaks, FL
Jean Totz, Sweetwater Kayaks, FL
Marsha Hensen, Sea Kayak Georgia
Ronnie Kemp, Sea Kayak Georgia


Attendees:
208 attendees took an average of 1.36 on-water classes each.
With 36 on-water classes plus "tent talks" to choose from there was something for everyone.

See you there next year!