By Patrick Robinson and David Rosen

The Northwest Paddling Festival (NWPF), the brainchild of Alki Kayak and Mountain to Sound Outfitters owner Greg Whittaker and Sea Kayaker magazine's Paul Reik is underway this weekend at Jack Block Park. The idea grew out of a discussion the two men had following the demise of a previous festival and the desire to promote paddling and kayaking.

The beach at Jack Block Park was opened for the public to use for the first time in over 100 years through the Superfund Cleanup process in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a special ceremony June 24..

Working with the Port of Seattle enables vendors to sell merchandise at the event without incurring the 10% parks surcharge on commerce, so there will be an open air market at the prime time of year for people getting geared up for the season.

The event is taking place at a time that works well with the Port of Seattle, celebrating their own Centennial.

The Port is using this opening to promote public access, highlight Port parks, and to tell the story of their successful restoration of a site that has gone through historical degradation and years of cleanup.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is using the event to highlight the Superfund project, and it is anticipated that they will be providing a speaker, as well as a booth to help educate the public in the ongoing processes on the Duwamish River.

Visitors to the Festival which is FREE, will be able to enjoy a 350 ft demo beach devoted to manufacturers reps as well as 35 booths from various companies.

2 speaker tents will provide classes, as well as on water instruction options and demonstrations.

The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce worked with the festival to offer local foods.

There is an ongoing push to promote Sustainable Tourism and this event will help fulfill a niche that the City of Seattle, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce and King County have all been interested in supporting.

Alki Crab and Fish at Seacrest Marina is partnering with the festival to provide an evening venue for festivities, as well as the base for SUP (a paddle board manufacturer) headquarters.

Again, it's FREE to attend the event but classes and demonstrations cost $20 per day or $35 for the weekend.

The classes will be conducted, "by some of the best paddling instructors in the Northwest," said organizer Whittaker.

The race results for the Alki Paddling Challenge are attached above.