Fawnskin, CA — The Big Bear Paddlefest, the third of four sporting events in the 2nd annual Conquer the Bear series, launches from Fawnskin in just a month, on the weekend of July 10 and 11. As announced today by event organizers with North Shore Trading Company, Janet Dooley says, “We wanted to hold a weekend-long event that would be equally fun for serious paddle enthusiasts and those new to the sports of paddling.” Pre-race day activities on Saturday the 10th will include on-water kayak and paddleboard clinics and an outdoor-industry sports exhibit; then, on Sunday, the Paddlefest races will be held in Grout Bay, on Big Bear Lake’s North Shore. The races are open to all levels, and will include 10K and 5K canoe and kayak competitions, for both tandem and solo paddlers. This year’s event will also include a 30K around the lake, as well as a free Kids’ Fun Paddle, open to those ages 12 and under. For those interested in gearing up for the competition, North Shore Trading Company will offer a series of three-hour paddling clinics, the first of which begins this Saturday, June 12; the clinic launches from Captain John’s Fawn Harbor Marina at 9am, and is available for a cost of $25. For more information on the clinic, visit GoPaddleACanoe.com. Additional information on the July Paddlefest is available at BigBearPaddlefest.com, and specifics on the Conquer the Bear series (which began with February’s Snowshoe the Bear) are available at OpenAirBigBear.com.
