Saturday is Paddle Day at the Nature Center

Kayakers, canoeists and other paddle enthusiasts will gather at the Indian Creek Nature Center on Saturday dreaming of open water and adventure. Displays and presentations will provide plenty of information on great places to dip an oar and even how to build your own.

Presenter John Craun thinks there's something special about paddling in pristine wilderness areas in a kayak you've built yourself. Craun recently completed a biadarka which he will bring to Paddle Day. The Aleutian biadarka design comes from a few rare ancient kayaks found in the Aleutian islands off Alaska. Most kayaks today are built using a basic design originating in Greenland. After seeing some pictures of the Aleutian biadarka design, Craun did some research on them and this is the second one he's built.

"This is the most difficult design of kayak I have built, and there are literally hundreds of pieces of wood in it. The wood shell of the biadarka is covered both inside and out with fiber glass and clear coat epoxy. The epoxy and glass make the kayak strong and show the beauty of the wood used. To make a kayak like this you need a lot of time, patience, preparation, wood working tools, and some skills," says Craun. Craun will also be discussing his excursions to Isle Royale, one of his favorite paddling destinations.

Whether you're a veteran paddler or just getting your feet wet, Paddle Day has something for everyone. Displays and registration open at 12:30 on Saturday, January 29th at the Nature Center - 6665 Otis Road SE in Cedar Rapids. Cost is $7 for ICNC members; $10 for non-members. For further information or to pre-register, call the Nature Center at 319-362-0664.