2026 WMCKA Kayak Symposium
Memorial Day Weekend • YMCA Camp Pendalouan • Montague, MI
Ready to kick off your paddling season in style? The WMCKA Kayak Symposium is three days of adventure, learning, and community—all set on the warm, clear waters of Big Blue Lake. Whether you’re brand new to kayaking or looking to sharpen your skills, this event is your chance to dive in, level up, and connect with an amazing paddling community.
Learn • Paddle • Play
Our Symposium is designed for beginner and intermediate paddlers who want to build confidence and have fun on the water. With an exceptionally low student-to-instructor ratio, you’ll get personal attention from passionate, certified coaches. Saturday morning, the paddling groups will form. The group will decide what they want to learn for the weekend. The coaches will focus on those items and create a weekend of learning for the group.
Some examples of what might be covered:
- Essential strokes and boat control
- Rescue and re-entry techniques
- Comfort while paddling (being confident while paddling)
- Tips for taking your paddling to bigger water, safely
For All Ages
Kayaking is for everyone!
- Adults can dig into full-day skill sessions.
- Youth ages 7–14 join their own specially designed program packed with on-water fun, camp games, and adventure.
More Than Just Classes
When you’re not on the water, the Symposium is all about community:
- Evening gatherings, campfire laughs, and inspiring trip stories
- Panel discussions and presentations
- Great meals shared in the Camp Pendalouan Lodge
- Plenty of time to relax and connect with paddlers from across the country
Stay Your Way
Bring your tent or small RV (limited spots), or cozy up in a cabin for the weekend. Meals from Friday dinner through Monday breakfast are included, with vegetarian options available.
Why come? Because in one weekend, you’ll paddle more, learn more, and laugh more than you thought possible. Whether you’re 7 or 80+, this is the place to push your skills, meet lifelong friends, and fall even more in love with kayaking.
Join us this Memorial Day weekend—your next adventure starts at the WMCKA Kayak Symposium
https://wmcka.org/symposium/
This has been running for over 30 years and focuses on beginner and intermediate paddlers. There is a level 3 section which is currently filled but taking a waiting list. There is also a very good children’s program. In the last few years they have grouped paddlers by level through the weekend for continuity of instruction, and this has worked well.
This is a very friendly gathering with a lot of really good instructors.
