Missouri Outdoors: Paddling skills offered in Missouri State Parks

Friday, June 15, 2012

Paddling skills offered in Missouri State Parks

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Have you ever wanted to try kayaking but didn’t know where to begin? Your summer just became more fun because Missouri State Parks is offering to teach you how to paddle and have a safe enjoyable time on the water.

Each weekend in July, park staff will offer free kayaking instruction in a Missouri state park. For its Learn2 Paddle Program, Missouri State Parks will supply the kayaks, paddles, life jackets and instructors. Participants should bring appropriate swimwear and footwear and an eagerness to learn a new skill.

“Once you understand the basics of kayaking, it opens an entirely new world of fun for you on the water. It can make any visit to a state park even more enjoyable,” said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks, a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Learn2 Paddle Program is being offered at the following locations and dates:

July 7 – Long Branch State Park near Macon.
July 14 – Harry S Truman State Park near Warsaw.
July 21 – Finger Lakes State Park near Columbia.
July 28 – Wakonda State Park near La Grange.

Each state park will have three two-hour classes available. Class times are 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.; 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; and 3 to 5 p.m. The classes are free but registration is required by 5 p.m. June 28. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants will receive a confirmation email with additional information and the timeslot they should attend.

The Learn2 Paddle Program is part of series of Learn2 programs sponsored by Missouri State Parks this summer. For more information or to register, go to mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.