The confluence of the Tsolum and Puntlege Rivers not only creates a good kayking location, but a good location for kayakers to meet, especially for the Puntledge River Paddle Festival.
"The event bring kayakers together," explained Dave Prothero, board member of the Vancouver Island Whitewater Paddling Society. "It's a unique event because BC Hydro doesn't release a lot of water in other areas (of the province)."
The event, scheduled for May 28 and 29, works in conjunction with a seven-year study with BC Hydro, which releases water from its dam just downriver from Comox Lake into the Puntledge River, with a maximum release scheduled for Sunday from 1 p.m. to dusk of 110 centemetres.
"We co-ordinate the event with the release and the time of year with the snowpack melt and rain," added Prothero who hopes for more than 150 kayakers to visit the festival from Europe, across the U.S., Canada and within the province.
"When you put more water in, (the Puntledge) turns into an amazing river. You can go creaking at the upper fish hatchery, and there's waterfalls and chutes. In the lower section, you can play waves like a surfer," he added. "It's a unique river ... one of the best paddles in Western Canada, plus it's close to a city centre."
The festival headquarters at Maple Pool Campground will host camping, a registration table and much more. Prothero says the festival is open to paddlers of all levers, with guided tours, a downriver race from the Browns River to the Puntledge confluence with the Tsolum, a surf/freestyle contest and kayak-themed movies.
The $35 (plus $5 for a membership in the whitewater club) registration fee includes camping for the weekend, insurance, raffle tickets, and shuttles.
Prothero noted there will be a variety of vans shuttling kayakers to various location to help eliminate the need for cars at various points along the rivers, and Destiny River Adventures will also offer trips Saturday and Sunday.
Registration will take place on site. For more information, visit www.surfkayak.org.
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