Bay Area Paddle Fest

As part of my trying to learn more about kayaks before I buy, my wife and I plan on attending the Bay Area Paddle Fest in a couple weeks. I noticed that I can register for the Paddlefest on the NCKA homepage, but it seems to be at a hugely discounted rate. On www.bayareapaddlefest.com I could register for entry to the event, demos, and clinics for $40 per person, but here at NCKA it looks like I could get that same thing for $25? From the NCKA page:

Registration fee: $25
Includes entry to the Bay Area Paddlefest, Kayak Fishing Expo, derby, clinics, and entry in the daily raffles.  Entrance/parking fee for Coyote Point Park: $5

Is this correct? Does the $25 really include the clinics in that price?

Jay,

I asked ChuckE the same question. Here's his reply.


Hello Chuck,

I was wondering about the registration fee for paddlefest. On the paddlefest website, they charge $40 for the following.

Bay Area Paddlefest: 1-day Clinics, Demos & Exhibits

    *
      Exhibits
    *
      Boat Demonstrations
    *
      Unlimited classes
      $40/ Days

The flyer has the same classes and demos for only $25. Is it a special deal for NCKA members? Possibly a typo?

Thanks for your time,

Omar


Hi Omar,

I know it's a bit confusing... but it's all correct.  If you register through NCKA for Saturday, the $25 fee will include derby registration, all NCKA and Paddlefest land/tent clinics,kayak demos, and everything at Paddlefest excluding the few "On the Water Clincs" - highlighted in blue in the following schedule:  http://bayareapaddlefest.com/schedule/index.htm

The Paddlefest is charging $40 for "unlimited classes" ($20 for the daily entry .... plus $20 to cover the extra cost of the on the water clinics).  Personally, I don't think it's worth it.

 

Thanks for the reply Omar! I would agree that the extra $20 wouldn't be worth it for the on-the-water clinics.

So, I know this is somewhat redundant, but I want to be clear. If my wife and I register through NCKA for the $25, we can still demo all the kayaks we want and we can attend both the NCKA clinics and the shore-based clinics offered by others?

Sorry to be so dense, but I appreciate the replies! 

That's the way that I understood it. I'm going to take Chucks word on it. Personally, for me I want to do more demoing than classes. As long as demos are available for the $25 entry fee, it seems worth it to me. If you're looking to take classes, than the $40 fee is probably for you.

Hope this helps,

Omar

Demo'ing is my priority too. I figure if I want a class, then I will fork out the $50 for a kayaking basics class, or the $75 for the surf skills. I'd rather have those classes that last for half-day or full-day rather than the one-hour classes offered at paddle fest.
Thanks again! I'll be there on Saturday and I'll be sure to stop by the NCKA booth!

I'm a newbie as well. I'll be at the booth soaking up as much info as possible and on the water deoming as much as I can.

Looking forward to  meeting you.

Omar