Local youth pick up a paddle
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August 10, 2023
Diana Zimmerman
Wahkiakum youth got out on the water, learned to paddle, and got fitted for their very own lifejackets thanks to the Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Department, the Washington State Parks Boating Program, Elochoman Slough Marina, and the Wahkiakum School District.
Last Wednesday, 12 youth between the ages of 10 and 14 showed up for a kayak event sponsored in partnership with the Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Department, the Washington State Parks Boating Program, the Elochoman Slough Marina, and Wahkiakum School District.
"It went amazing," Deputy Lucas Getman said on Monday. "All the feedback we had was super positive. We've had numerous requests to do it again next year."
According to Getman, the kids learned how to enter boats safely and practiced basic paddling skills. They learned how to maneuver the boats, and how to file a float plan and why it's important for adults to know where they are and where they are going.
Every participant got to take a lifejacket home after getting property fitted, and they also got to see how an automatic inflating lifejacket gets inflated.
Best of all, they got out on the water and traveled up the Elochoman Slough to see some wildlife.
"We hope to have more scheduled late spring or early summer next year and we hope to have multiple events," Getman added.
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