Local youth pick up a paddle

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.