Get Your Paddle On!

 Bear PaddleFest is a festival of clinics, races and vendor expo for canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddleboards on the South Shore of Big Bear Lake, hosted by North Shore Trading Company.For two days in July, paddlers can test their stamina at 6700’, take beginner through advanced clinics, and learn about the latest in paddling gear from vendors and sponsors.Big Bear PaddleFest is a member of Open Air Big Bear and third in the Conquer the Bear/Conquer the Cub series of cross training races held throughout the year in Big Bear Valley.

 
The weekend event will offer pre-race-day activities on Saturday, July 9^th, including on-water clinics for beginner and advanced paddlers taught by local paddling instructors, boat and board demos with Seda and Necky kayaks and Hobie paddleboards, an outdoor-industry sports exhibit with Smith Optics, USARC, FRS, John Wayne Cancer Foundation, Clif Bar, Big Bear Vacations and more. 

The races, scheduled for Sunday, July 10^th, are open to all levels of paddlers. There will be 20K, 10K, and 5K canoe or kayak, tandem or solo races. The Kids’ Fun Paddle is free for 12-year olds and under. 

(Video by Scott Hoffman, website)

For more information Paddlefest or Conquer the Bear, including registration details, or contest information visit OpenAirBigBear.comwww.openairbigbear.com.