Paddlefest set for riverbank this weekend

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This article was published 11/09/2024 (602 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon’s first-ever Paddlefest is set for the Riverbank Discovery Centre from Friday through Sunday.

The goal is to make exploring on the water accessible to everyone, say event organizers.

Attendees are invited to bring their kayak, canoe, paddleboard, dragon boat or anything else that’s paddle powered down to the river.

The aim on Saturday evening is to assemble at least 100 paddlers at once to create a water-level traffic jam on the Assiniboine River.

Attendance is free, though a few activities will come with a price tag, said Dezarae Bodnar, the centre’s programming and community co-ordinator. The festival has been designed to appeal to people of all skill levels with an interest in paddling.

“We’ve been working very hard all summer to activate a paddling community in Brandon,” Bodnar said. “We have made a lot of awesome connections this year and we decided that the way to move forward was to have a paddle festival.”

A couple of years ago, a dock was installed behind the centre to add to the small list of access points along the Assiniboine River corridor in Brandon. Bodnar said one of the motivations was to help people discover Brandon from a different perspective.

Friday will see the opening ceremonies at 7:30 p.m., followed by Indigenous teachings from elder Charles Simard of Manigotogan First Nation and paddler games and trivia.

Saturday has yoga on the Discovery Centre’s dock, a gear swap meet, vendor booths, a presentation on biodiversity in the Assiniboine from Brandon University’s biology department, a “How to Kayak Manitoba” presentation and book-signing presentation from Sandy Hudson, a physio for paddlers class and more teachings from Simard.

There will also be Saturday clinics on kayak re-entry by Mick Lautt and stand-up paddleboard clinics from Lesley Gaudry and Samantha Page. There is a $50 price tag for the clinics and registration must be made in advance by emailing programs@riverbank.mb.ca.

Newcomers to paddling are invited to take part in voyageur canoe rides. At $10 each, guests can sit in an eight-person canoe for a 30- to 45-minute ride on the river starting at the top of each hour from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Those 14 and younger will need to be accompanied by an adult.

Saturday evening has the Assiniboine River paddle, a presentation from Mick Lautt on kayaking the Grand Canyon and more paddler trivia.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, Section 6 Brewing Company will have a beer garden set up. Sunday will instead see a $5 pancake breakfast.

The final day of the event also features another yoga class, closing ceremonies and a group paddle.

Anyone wanting to go out on the water will need a personal flotation device, a whistle, a bailer and a tow rope. Those without that equipment can buy it at Saturday’s vendor market. There are also outdoor supply stores in town where that equipment can be purchased.

The activity Bodnar said she’s most excited for is the Grand Canyon presentation by Lautt.

“He has an incredible amount of experiences and he’s just a great personality to be around,” Bodnar said. “To hear what his experiences have been on the water in an adventure sense, I think that’s going to be pretty inspiring and exciting for me.”

For a complete schedule and list of activities, visit Brandon Riverbank on social media or online at riverbank.mb.ca.

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