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4th Annual Puntledge River Paddle Festival
May 30 -June 1/08, Puntledge and Browns Rivers, Courtenay, BC
Destiny River Adventures punching Table Top (2007) © Wayne Barson*Please note that we have made a last minute venue/camping change. See below.*
*Missing the May 16/08 early bird registration deadline will cost you another $10.00.*
*This page was last updated Monday, May 26/08. Return for updates.*
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The Puntledge River Paddle Festival will be held on the Puntledge and Browns Rivers in Courtenay, British Columbia, on May 30 -June 1/08. There will be guaranteed releases on the Puntledge River out of the Comox Lake Dam all weekend. There will be a release of 60 CMS on Saturday from 9-12 am. The river will then take about two hours to ramp up to 85 CMS. It will stay at 85 CMS till 5 pm. The Puntledge River will run at 110 CMS from 10 am-3 pm on Sunday.
The Puntledge River is one of the best (if not the best), small volume play rivers in BC. It has tons of waves and holes which get better as the water level rises. The play features have names like the three little pigs, tarp and play, spectator wave, river wide, table top, the fish hatchery wave, the tree wave, and Grahams wave. BC Hydro has worked with us to ensure releases from the Comox Lake dam. Many thanks to the ongoing efforts of our River Impact Coordinator, Shayne Vollmers. Five winters ago we did a study to determine what the best all around river level is. We ran the river at different levels. It was determined that the best over all level is approximately 85 CMS (the same flow that we will have on Saturday afternoon).
This event has been sanctioned by CanoeKayak BC (CKBC) and is insured. Participants must be members of the VIWPS/CKBC to paddle at this event. We have permission from BC Hydro and the Ministry of the Environment to hold the event. They have been co-insured. They have given us access to areas we normally do not have access to.
The Maple Pool Campground is allowing us to use there campground as a take out until 3:00 pm Sunday afternoon. To reach this take out paddle past Condensory Bridge about 300 meters where you will find the confluence of the Puntledge and Tsolum Rivers. Paddle up the Tsolum about 100 hundred meters till you reach the Maple Pool Campground.
Event activities include shuttles, beginner and intermediate guided river runs, beginner clinics, freestyle clinics, an "Expression Session" (freestyle competition), a six gate slalom race, and boat demos. There will be a party at the Maple Pool Campground Saturday night where there will be video and a presentation by the BC Creek Protection Society. There will be a gear raffle and prize give a ways. *BRING YOUR OWN FOOD AND BOOZE.*
Beginner clinics will be run by Don Barrie and Rose Sirois of Warm Rapids Inn. No previous experience is necessary. All are welcome. A maximum of 8 participants can be accommodated per course. Only 2 boats and full sets of kayak gear will be on hand. Folks that are able to provide their own kayaks and gear can ensure themselves a spot. If the numbers dictate, a second clinic could be run on Sunday morning. Feel free to contact Don and Rose direct at (250) 749-6619 or e-mail them at info@warmrapidsinn.com. You must be registered with the VIWPS to participate. Beginner kayak clinics are an extra $25.00. Sign up at the registration tent.
Rob Cartwright is running a freestyle clinic on Saturday and possibly one on Sunday (depending on demand). Clinics can take up to six paddlers and cost $15.00 per participant. You must be registered with the VIWPS to participate. Sign up and pay at registration.
This year we are offering an Expression Session (or freestyle competition) for experienced boaters, at the Tarp and Play feature. To participate simply show up at the Tarp and Play feature at 12:00 pm on Sunday. Participation is by donation. Also, bring a drivers licence or $10.00 for a bib deposit (we cannot afford to loose these bibs). You must be registered and display an event tag on your PFD to participate. To get to Tarp and Play follow the signs to the end of Power House Road and carry your boat to from there (about 500 meters).
Andrew Mylly (CKBC - Whitewater President) is organizing a six gate slalom race at either Condesory Bridge or Puntledge Park on Sunday at 10:00 am. Inquire at registration.
Event camping will be at the Maple Pool Campground, which is located at 4685 Headquarters Road, in Courtenay, BC (near the confluence of the Puntledge River and Tsolum Rivers). *THIS IS A CHANGE OF VENUE FROM PREVIOUS YEARS ! * We have reserved the entire nightly section of the campsite for this event . “No power” camping is included in your registration package. Only campers who want a powered site need to contact the campground to make a reservation. Otherwise, sign up at the VIWPS registration desk when you arrive. The campgrounds phone number is (250) 338-9386 and their e-mail is maplepool@shaw.ca. If you have any questions about the campsite or the change in venue, please contact Christine Brice at (250) 726-2311, or e-mail her at s-kayak@island.net. Please follow the common sense campground Code of Conduct so we can camp here for years to come. *WE CAN USE THE CAMPGROUND AS A TAKE OUT UN TILL 3 PM ON SUNDAY.*
To participate in the Puntledge River Paddle Festival, the Canada West paddle Surf Festival, or any VIWPS activity you must first become a VIWPS/CKBC member. VIWPS/CKBC membership is $15.00 for one person, and $25.00 for a family (including couples and common law), per year.
Basic
registration for the Puntledge River Paddle Festival is $15.00 per adult, $5.00 per teen (children are free), and $5.00 for locals (Courtenay, Comox, and Campbell River). Missing the May 16/08 early bird registration deadline will cost you an additional $10.00. Registration includes camping, insurance, shuttles, guided kayak trips, and a raffle ticket (a chance at winning shwag). Beginner kayak clinics are an extra $25.00.This year we are again offering a membership and events package, for $50.00 (individuals only). This will save $5.00 before May 16/08. This gets everything out of the way at once. This package includes VIWPS/CKBC membership, and Punledge/Surf Fest registration. It also includes Maple Pool Campground and Surf Junction Campground camping.
Please print off, carefully read, and legibly fill out the membership and events pre-registration form, and mail it in with a cheque or money order made out to the VIWPS. Call Sean Plecas at (250)714-1132, or e-mail me at info@surfkayak.org, if you have any questions. Pre-registering for these events will make registration run smoother!!! Thank you.
*To down load free Adobe Reader soft wear so you can access these PDF forms click here.*
*To participate in any VIWPS activity the below waiver/liability form must be signed. You must sign this form at the event in the presence of a VIWPS director.*
Money raised will go towards the Puntledge play feature (an artificial play spot at the Fish Hatchery Weir). For more information contact Shayne Vollmers; (250)390-6866 svollmer@sd69.bc.ca. We look forward to seeing you there!
For some 2006 images of the Tarp and Play feature go to Brent Reids web site.
The Vancouver Island Whitewater Paddling Society
#408-153 Wallace Street, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5B2
ph: (250)714-1132 fax: (250)753-5998 e-mail: info@surfkayak.org
