If you’ve ever had an inclination to learn how to steer a kayak, navigate a sailboat or even fly fish and you didn’t have a dad to teach you, your options for learning how were pretty limited.
You could peruse the classes offered at your local college or university, or you could attend the 11th Annual Utah Rivers Paddle Festival.
On Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., anyone interested in learning how to use whitewater or flatwater kayaks, canoes, dories, rafts or sailboats can do so at Little Dell Reservoir, which is 15 minutes east of Salt Lake City, just off I-80.
The festival offers clinics and workshops for beginning watermen and women and offers live music as a learning backdrop. There will also be informal competitions, food and activities geared toward children. It truly is a way for the whole family to enjoy themselves in the great outdoors while learning along the way.
All proceeds from the festival go to the Utah Rivers Council and will benefit the Council’s river protection program.
The cost of the festival is $10 for adults and $6 for children between ages 6 and 12. For more information and a list of events, visit www.paddlefestival.org.