Paddlefest returns after rough summer

After summer flooding paused paddle-powered boats on the Assiniboine River, organizers at the Brandon Riverbank Discovery Centre are eager to host the third annual Paddlefest this weekend.

The event on Saturday is an invitation for paddlers and non-paddlers to spend a day on the Assiniboine River learning about the river’s history in the city or enjoying the fall colours from the water.

Usually, Brandon Riverbank has a dock in place for easy kayaking and canoe access, but because of the high-water levels, the centre was unable to install it this summer, said Dean Hammond, executive director of Brandon Riverbank Discovery Centre.

“Basically, the high water disrupted the whole summer,” Hammond said in an interview on Tuesday.

“It disrupted paddling earlier in the year. We weren’t able to put in docks, and then the water was so high and so fast, it wouldn’t have been safe to put people on the water,” he said.

At the peak of the high water on July 13, the Assiniboine River rose by just over two metres, which caused infrastructure and trail damage to the city’s largest outdoor naturalized greenspace.

“We had some challenges with the river and docks and everything else,” Hammond said, “but we’re trying to build a paddling community here and paddling programs. Paddlefest is just a part of that.”

Ingrid Gatin, programming and community co-ordinator for the centre, said the event was delayed for safety reasons.

“Usually we would have it earlier, but because of the flooding we decided to delay basically as late as we could to make it the most safe and accessible for everyone,” Gatin said.

There will be a temporary dock in place for Paddlefest, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own kayak, canoe or paddleboard.

From 1-3 p.m., 150 rubber ducks will be hidden on the river, and paddlers are challenged to collect the largest number of them.

At 5 p.m., all paddlers are invited to get on the river and see the fall landscape from the water for an hour-long group cruise.

But for the non-paddlers, other river-themed activities will take place throughout the day, Hammond said.

“We’re trying to make it an event that attracts both paddlers and non-paddlers alike,” he said.

There will be a discussion panel and speakers to talk about the history of the river in Brandon, and keynote speaker Mick Lautt will share his paddle travel stories from Iceland.

There will also be a soirée for attendees with a bar open from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

“As long as Brandon’s been a city, the river’s been a big part of the recreational activities of the city, so we’re continuing that tradition,” Hammond said.

Gatin added that she hopes people that come appreciate “how relaxing and lovely it is to spend time near the river.”

“Sometimes we forget how we chose to centre our cities around rivers because they’re the essential lifeblood of our functioning as humans. And so protecting that, taking care of it, enjoying it, celebrating it is part of our mandate here,” Gatin said.

The event is free to attend except for alcohol at the bar and a sound bath activation. It runs from noon until 10 p.m. and is open to all ages.

» rgerrard@brandonsun.com