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6 great/sea-kayaking festivals

Mingle and learn at Great Lakes paddle parties.

A kayaker heads into the Rossport Islands.

© Beth Gauper

A kayaker heads into the Rossport Islands, now part of a marine conservation area.

If you're interested in sea kayaking and ready to jump in, kayaking festivals are a good place to improve skills and meet other kayakers. Programs include classes, seminars, demos, on-water tours and, often, races.

Sign up as early as possible for the best selection of classes and tours. Below are six of the best festivals in 2008.

June 20-22, Rossport Islands Kayak Symposium in Rossport, Ont. See the new Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area, part of Parks Canada, the largest freshwater conservation area in the world. Classes are based at nearby Rainbow Falls Provincial Park, and cost of $150 includes a concert and a presentation by Gary and Joanie McGuffin. 800-203-9092, www.rossportsymposium.ca.

July 11-13, Door County Sea Kayak Symposium near Ellison Bay, Wis. This big festival, sponsored by Rutabaga in Madison, is based at the Wagon Trail Resort on the Lake Michigan side of the peninsula. Passes are $255-$350, $100-$165 for ages 8-15, including some meals. 800-472-3353, www.everyonepaddles.com.

July 12-13, North of Superior Sea Kayaking Symposium in Thunder Bay, Ont. Wilderness Supply Co. is sponsoring this inaugural festival on Lake Superior at Chippewa Park, on the south edge of town. Cost of $85 includes clinics, tours, demos, a barbecue and T-shirt, 866-520-9555. There's camping and cabins on-site.

July 17-20, Great Lakes Sea Kayak Symposium in Grand Marais, Mich. This is the oldest and largest kayaking symposium on the Great Lakes, and held on the eastern end of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior. Cost includes some meals, $195 through June 1. 734-285-2925, www.glsks.org.

Aug. 1-3, Two Harbors Kayak Festival in Two Harbors, Minn. Clinics and tours are a la carte at this family-oriented festival on Lake Superior, $40-$45, $30-$35 for kids. People who just want to watch, swim and try out kayaks pay $10, $5 for kids. There's a Saturday night dinner catered by Betty's Pies, $10-$5. 218-525-9806, www.kayakfestival.org.

Aug. 21-24, The Ladies of the Lake Kayak Symposium on Michigan's Drummond Island. This festival for women is sponsored by Down Wind Sports in Houghton, Mich., and held at various locations, this year at the eastern tip of the Upper Peninsula. Cost is $90-$100 through Aug. 10, plus $25-$70 for tours and special clinics. 1-906-482-2500, www.downwindsports.com.

The Inland Sea Society on Wisconsin's Bayfield Peninsula has decided to hold its Kayak Symposium every other year. It will be June 18-21 in 2009. 715-682-8188, www.inlandsea.org.

Last updated on July 3, 2008