Annual Paddling Safety Meeting -- FYI Southcentral members

As spring starts to take off, I usually try to attend the Knik Canoers and Kayakers annual safety meeting, simply as a refresher and reminder of the important safety lessons that I hope are hard-wired by now when I venture onto Alaska's rivers, lakes and ocean.  After 30 years enjoying our waters, from the lakes of Wood-Tikchik to the rivers in Gates of the Arctic NP, and every road-accessible waterway between, I'm a bit of an old hand at this. But I always find some value in this rite of spring. 

Here's the blurb off their newsletter, Eddyline:

KCK Annual Paddling Safety Meeting will be Thursday, April 17, 2014  @ 6:30pm
Location: Wilda Marston Theatre, Loussac Library, 3600 Denali St.,  Anchorage

Those of us who enjoy being on the waterways of our great state know that cold waters present dangers along with the countless rewards. Safety is key to enjoying the outdoors responsibly. This requires knowledge, recognition and prevention. To assist in gaining the knowledge and confidence of safety awareness and skills, Knik Canoers & Kayakers is proud to open their Annual Paddling Safety Meeting to the general public. All persons with interests in paddle sports are invited to attend. Whether you are a rafter, canoeist, kayaker or  self propelled boater of any type, you will find tremendous value in the information presented. Topics will include personal  clothing and safety gear,  river hazards, trip planning and sea kayaking safety.

Prior to the Safety Meeting from 5:30 pm until 6:20 pm in the lobby outside the theater there will be a host of guests with loads of paddle safety info, including representatives from the Alaska Office of Boating Safety, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, the American Packraft Association and the University of Alaska. Sign-ups for remaining available spaces in comprehensive beginner classes offered by KCK in Canoeing and Rafting will be available on a first come - first served basis, Information on classes in Sea Kayaking, Pack Rafting and other moving water classes will be available from select commercial paddling instructors with discounts offered to KCK members. So if you aren't already a member you should first stop by the KCK membership desk to join or renew.
Membership, boating classes, and safety handouts available in the lobby 5:30pm to 6:20pm.
KCK membership applications will be available in the lobby prior to the meeting.
KCK classes will be available. All KCK paddling classes require attendance to the KCK Safety Meeting.
There will be a select group of commercial paddling and safety instructors available to provide information on advanced and beginner paddling classes offered through local Alaska based private companies.
Paddling Safety Meeting presentations will begin promptly at 6:30pm in the theater.
All persons present at the close of the meeting will be eligible for one several door prizes to be drawn.
Anyone can help publicize this event by downloading, printing and posting flyers at appropriate locations.   download@:  http://kck.org/safety_flyer.pdf

Sarah and I plan to go to this, too.

I didn't see anyone from NWKA there on Thursday, but it was well attended overall. Always good for me to talk with folks who run remote rivers. I'm always interested in learning.