East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival
ECCKF Gold Sponsor Sea Kayak Carolina
The East Coast Canoe & Kayak Festival, April 20-22, 2012
at James Island County Park, Charleston, SC ›› official ECCKF web site
Sea Kayak Carolina was the first in the U.S. to put new kayaks from P&H — the Cetus HV and all new Aries 155 — on the water at the 2011East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival! What surprises will there be in 2012? Have you seen the Delphin and Aries 150s?
Each year the East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival brings paddlers of all levels together with world-renowned instructors and equipment manufacturers offering a symposium with Master Classes, local trips, skill and gear demonstration.
Coming to the 2012 Festival? Check-out the Festival Meetup Group which allows for some social networking between local and visiting paddlers! This is an great way to make some new friends and maybe some paddling plans before you arrive!
2012 marks the ECCKF's 22nd year — Once again Sea Kayak Carolina will be the Gold Sponsor of the event — and we're looking forward to seeing you there!
Festival Days are Special Days at the SKC Tents!
In addition to the great festival atmosphere, the festival offers a great opportunity to take advantage of early-season sale pricing—last year SKC let you save 10% on Werner Paddles - and 20% during surprise paddle events throughout the show). Save on fiberglass and plastic boats, both new and specially priced demo and warehouse boats!
SKC EXCLUSIVES FROM 2011 -
The All New P&H Aries andthe Cetus HV
Here at Sea Kayak Carolina we were excited to be the first in the U.S. to put the new kayaks from P&H — the Cetus HV and the all new Aries 155 — on the water at the 2011 East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival.
Can the Freedom 500 Keep You Dry?
Well no, a bilge pump won't keep you dry, but the Freedom 500 Electric Bilge Pump will get the water out of your cockpit — and Fast! Follow the link to see it in action!
Advances in waterproofing, improvements in the weight and performance of rechargeable batteries, and innovative design all combine to make the Freedom 500 electric bilge pump something really new — SKC had the pump on-hand and demonstrated it's use at the Sea Kayak Carolina tents at the 2011 festival.
Yoga & Kayaking Go Great Together
Anna Levesque, celebrated paddler, kayak instructor, founder of Girls at Play LLC and Registered Yoga Teacher, led early morning yoga for kayaking classes on both Saturday and Sunday during the 2011 festival. In addition, Anna was at the Sea Kayak Carolina tents with her yoga mat ready and available to answer your questions on yoga and stretching.
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Sea Kayak Carolina has been the proud Gold Sponsor of the Festival each year since 2009 — The Festival is always a great gathering and symposium; we meet many new friends and enjoy everything the Festival brings to Charleston.
So come out and see all the excitement – April 20-22, 2012.
›› 2010 Photos – SKC Photos at MeetUp.com
›› Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demo Photos - From CCPRC
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Check Out the (un)Official Links that will help you get the most out of the Festival.
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Sea Kayak Carolina is proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the 2012 East Coast Canoe & Kayak Festival, and glad to provide this (un)Official Guide: We provide this on-line guide to help you navigate the Festival, Charleston, and kayaking in Charleston and other areas in coastal South Carolina. Whether you're interested in attending, and want to know more about what happens at the festival, or you know you are attending and are looking for more information about the area, we can help.
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Our sponsorship affiliates:
And for 2012 we're pleased to welcome Tahe Marine to our line!
This is the kayak you have to try out if you enjoy Greenland style of paddling.Tahe Marine Kayaks have arrived at Sea Kayak Carolina, Charleston, SC: Assorted models are in our showroom and inventory, including the skin-on-frame inspired Greenland OC & LC and the Greenland T, touring model. If you like Greenland-style paddling, you must see these boats!
Learn more on our Tahe page.
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Looking Back: The P&H Cetus, Capellas, Flex 11 — Something for Everyone
Among the special opportunities presented through at the East Coast Canoe & Kayak Festival in 2009, because of Sea Kayal Carolina's relationship with P&H kayaks, guests could be one of the first in the United States to test paddle the Cetus Low Volume (known as the Cetus LV) — in the Sea Kayak Carolina compound at the East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival!
Innovation in 2010
For 2010 the popular Cetus LV was back, along with a complete line-up of composite and plastic Capellas and the new, recreational and compact Venture-branded, Flex 11. In addition, for those looking for sit-on-top paddling, you can't do better than the selections from FeelFree — from the cargo-ready fishing spec’d Moken Angler to the fast solo Move and family friendly Carona tandem; these are great kayaks and great values.
More Firsts in 2012, from P&H and Sea Kayak Carolina!
In 2012 many paddlers will get a look at the revolutionary P&H Delphin 150 and 155 for the first time — a playboat with a brand new design philosophy, the Delphin has been making a strong impression on many experienced paddlers. And more firsts — Sea Kayak Carolina will present the first on-water, U.S. presentations of tow new boats from P&H, the composite cousin to the Delphon, Aries 155 — AND the new and refined full-sized Cetus, the new Cetus HV
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Festival is a "Hands-On" Experience
The annual festival features a variety of on-water classes, lectures, and demonstrations directed toward the beginner as well as the more experienced paddler. In addition, over 40 exhibitors are on-hand to give folks a chance to try out the latest boats and equipment before you buy.
Tents and kayaks!
Links 'n' More: James Island, Charleston & the
East Coast Canoe & Kayak Festival, James Island —
The Official East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival Website
›› Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demo Photos
View the (un)Official Google Map to the East Coast Canoe & Kayak Festival in a larger map. Sea Kayak Carolina's unoffical map guide to navigating the East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival. April 15-17, 2011.
James Island Park and Folly Road Locations –
›› Parking
›› Tents
›› Shopping
›› Park and Festival Locations
Local Launch Sites: Want to paddle theLowcountry while you're here? Don't miss this list of available public launches, Looking for more information? Don't forget to check out Ralph Earhart's book, Kayak Charleston, a great resource with detailed directions and descriptions of more than 50 landings and throw-ins near Charleston.
Lowcountry Paddlers Club - Local paddlers club hold informative monthy meetings and plans numerous Club Paddles, local "ShowN Go" trips, and social activities.
Charleston Sea Kayakers Meetup Group - Over 650 paddlers. A terrific way to meet local kayakers and to get out on the water!
Kayak Shops - Sea Kayak Carolina, of course!
But also take a look at the South Carolina Paddlesports Industry Association website for links to many other fine businesses across the state – retailers, tour and rental companies and more...
Past Festival Photos and Coverage:
›› Photos:
From Scott Szczepaniak — "Assorted Festival activities, including the "Cardboard Boat Race" at the 2007 East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival!"
From Scott Szczepaniak — "Local and visiting kayakers socialize prior to the 2007 East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival!"
Places to stay:
›› Camping at the James Island County Park Cottages and campgrounds
›› Hotels - Ther are no hotels or motels on James Island - stay close here -
• Folly Beach Hotels at Kayak.com
• Charleston Visitors Bureau links for –
– Hotels
– Historic Inns
– Bed & Breakfasts
– Beach Resorts
– Beach Rentals
– Campgrounds
• More B&B links from BedandBreakfast.com
• More tourism information at Charleston.com
James Island Weather from the National Weather Service
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The staff of Sea Kayak Carolina are eager to share some Charleston Hospitality. Please feel to call with general questions about kayaking in Charleston, or general questions related to the East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival. Stop by the shop to say hello, or visit our exhibit space at the Festival.
Sea Kayak Carolina — Gold Sponsor
of the 2012 East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival!