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2016 Festival - June 18-19
Calling all kayakers: It’s time to Ride the Tide By LESLIE KELLY
lkelly@soundpublishing.com
It’s the perfect way to celebrate the water. That’s what John Kuntz says about the Water Trail Festival and the Ride the Tide paddle. In its second year, the festival begins on June 18, with the paddle beginning at 11 a.m. “The whole point of the festival is to celebrate our access to the water,” said Kuntz, an organizer of the paddle. “Here in Kitsap County, anyone can have have access to the water along the trail and that improves the quality of life.” In June 2014, the Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails was designated a national water trail by the National Park Service. This prestigious designation is only one of a handful in the U.S. The 371-mile trail encompasses all of the Kitsap Peninsula and is one of the most spectacular paddling destinations in the world, Kuntz said. The Ride the Tide paddle begins in Bremerton at Evergreen Park. Expected again this year to lead the ride are County Commissioners Ed Wolfe and Rob Gelder. Kurtz has put a challenge out to any of the mayors of cities in Kitsap County that if they’ll participate, he’ll provide the kayaks. So, you may just see a few mayors paddling, too. Kurtz is expecting about 100 paddlers. “That’s the number we had last year,” he said. “But if you’re talking about the
Paddlers from last year’s Water Trail Festival hold their paddles above their heads signifying the end of the race. More than 100 people are expected on the water. Contributed photo crowd at the festival, itself, that’s more like 600.” The festival is at the Silverdale Waterfront Park in Old Town Silverdale, 8801 Washington Ave. NW, Silverdale. Kayaking is a popular sport in Kitsap County, Kuntz said. He is the owner of Olympic Outdoors sports centers. “I’m sure there are 10,000 or more kayakers in the county,” he said. “I think I’ve sold at least 5,000 boats in the 30 years I’ve been in business.” Those who will be on the water will be looking for the newly added signs on the trail. The signs are a white background with a setting sun and a kayakers in silhouette in blue. “We’ve got about 50 of them up,” he said. “And we’ll be putting up more.” The signs will correspond to an online map where individuals can locate where they are or where they want to kayak, and then there’ll be a popup telling them what facilities are located at that point
on the trail and what there is to do nearby. “We’ve had great cooperation from the port districts in the area, and the county, and the tribes,” Kuntz said. “We have an alliance that looks after the trail.” The Ride the Tide paddle starts at Evergreen Park in Bremerton, with stops along the way at Water Trail sites. At each stop, paddlers pick up a raffle ticket for a chance at great prizes. “The paddle is called Ride the Tide for good reason,” said Kuntz. “We will take advantage of the current in the Port Washington Narrows to provide a significant push for much of the paddle. The total paddle distance is about five miles and will take two to three hours to complete.” Representatives of the Suquamish Tribe, including Youth Royalty and members of Suquamish Song & Dance will be on the waterways, to escort in kayakers and welcome them in a traditional way. It is customary in Salish culture
for the first peoples of the land to welcome visitors to their home shores by greeting them on the water and giving them permission to come ashore. The Kitsap Peninsula is the traditional territory of the Suquamish People, according to April Leigh, communication coordinator for the Tribe. Kitsap Peninsula and Chico Creek are named after famous Suquamish leaders, she said. At the end point, at the Silverdale Waterfront, there will be an optional shuttle available to take participants back to Evergreen Park. Ride the Tide includes a paddle snack and drink pack, $5 donation to Kitsap Peninsula Water Trails, five raffle tickets, shuttle ride and access to kayak and paddle board demonstrations at the festival. Here’s the timeline for the day: •10:00 a.m. –Registration opens at Evergreen Park in Bremerton •11:00 a.m.– Registration
closes •11:30 a.m. – Mandatory paddler safety meeting •Noon – Paddle begins, paddle stops at Lions, Tracyton, and Anna Smith parks, ending at Silverdale at noon •1:30 p.m. – Paddlers gathering and raffle before the official celebration •3:00 p.m.– First shuttle back to Evergreen Park (additional shuttles next two hours) Here’s what to wear and bring: •Sun hat •Sun screen and lip balm •Comfortable shoes that can get wet •Outdoor clothing that can get wet •All electronics in waterproof cases or double ziplock bags •Leave a change of clothes in your car For more information,
go to Kuntz’s business website at www.olympicoutdoorcenter.com, or checkout 18743 Front St. NE in Poulsbo, phone 360297-4659. There are locations in Port Gamble and Silverdale, too. Also on Saturday in Poulsbo, enjoy “Midsommarfest” from noon to 11 p.m. It’s free and will include two for one moorage at the Port of Poulsbo, a free fishing derby, toy boat building for kids, Touch-a-Truck, live music and traditional Norwegian activities. All this takes place at the Muriel Williams Waterfront Park. Sponsored by the local Sons of Norway, join in the Scandinavian tradition of the Summer Solstice. Enjoy folk dancing, meet Norwegian and Icelandic dogs, partake of traditional Norwegian cuisine at the lodge, 18891 Front St., (3:30 – 6:30 p.m.) and other activities. Enjoy a Viking Parade and Midsummer proclamation by Sons of Norway Vikings. At noon, materials will be available for flower crown making. At 1:30 p.m. the raising of Maistang (midsommar pole) will take place, along with dancing by the Poulsbo Leikarringen. The lighting of the bon fire will be at dusk.
A SUPPLEMENT OF THE BAINBRIDGE REVIEW, BREMERTON PATRIOT, CENTRAL KITSAP REPORTER, NORTH KITSAP HERALD AND PORT ORCHARD INDEPENDENT