The first-ever Paddle Festival (+ TESTIVAL) in Markkleeberg (Germany)
« Ideal Location for testival: The modern white water park connects to a lake for paddle tours «
How does someone become a paddler? The first-ever Paddle Festival in Markkleeberg will answer this question for you in this way: quite simply! On the 13th and 14th of April every one who has a weakness for small getaways or big trips on the water will want to be at Germany’s largest paddle festival. Look for workshops, guided tours and a wide-ranging programme – all taking place in Leipzig, Germany’s Neuseenland lakes district.
The middle of April, Markkleeberg, the gateway to Leipzig, will be the focal point of all things paddling in Germany. Enticing indeed is the paddle park there with its man-made white water course and the adjacent lake, which will see an exciting festival premiere. More than 20 exhibitors will show off their kayaks, canoes, fold-up boats, paddles and accessories and will invite attendees to demo their products – either on the calm lake or in the rushing white water.
This is an unparalleled opportunity to see all sorts of paddlesports boats and gear side-by-side and on the water to try out and compare. But if demo’ing product isn’t enough for you, this is after all a festival! Organizers have put together a thorough workshop programme that will have something to offer for everyone from beginners to advanced. Freestyle World Champion Olli Grau will instruct the ergonomics of paddling; textbook author Dieter Singer will teach how touring paddlers can learn how to take on white water; ACA instructor Franke Moerke will train attendees in the art of canoeing; and professional photographer Jens Klatt will discuss the best way to take paddling photos. An overview of all workshops plus registration details is available at www.paddelfestival.de.
If you tend toward athletic endeavours, you can take on the boat-cross with slalom canoe Olympians. If you like athletics but are still at the age where you’re reading BRAVO, the Palm Equipment Junior Trophy will also have a skills competition for kids and youth. Other offerings: a stand-up paddling orientation course for the curious, video analysis, timed paddling, paddlesports fashion show, and information booths with the German Canoe Federation, National Paddlesports Association, and other regional outfitters.
On Saturday evening there’ll be an adidas Movie Night for relaxing with Olaf Obsommer’s best kayak documentaries from all over the world. Afterward, everybody can gather around a huge campfire to listen to guitar music from Matze Brustmann, who is not only a professional paddler but the band leader for “Balloon Pilot”.
And on Sunday? It’ll all start all over again.
more info go to: www.paddelfestival.de
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