ARANSAS PASS, Texas - The only paddle festival of its kind on the Texas coast, the Everything Kayak! Expo Oct. 27-28 is free and open to the public, with seminars and on-the-water demonstrations of more than 40 different models of kayaks. "The expo was developed out of a need to increase the public's awareness of kayaking in Texas, including the availability of safety lessons, while bringing together vendors, outfitters, guides, and retailers in one place," said expo organizer Jennifer Thomas. "It's not just about fishing, even though there will be plenty of fish talk to go around."

There is something for everyone with fee-based activities provided by industry professionals including paddling lessons, safety classes, paddle tours and fly casting classes. There will also be vendors selling kayaks, gear, clothing, and kayak services. Look for seminars on Birding with a Kayak, How to Install a Rudder, Learning to use a Global Positioning Satellite-GPS, Secrets of Catching Fish, First Aid Supplies for your Kayak, and many more.

This 2nd annual event is held at the community park on Johnson Ave and State Highway 361 in Aransas Pass. The park includes the Ransom Point Paddle Launch and area ponds for demos, lessons, and tours. This is the ideal venue for an event of this kind; plenty of room and lots of water access on-site.

"Aransas Pass is the kayaking capitol of Texas with two city-owned launches specific to paddle craft and miles of primitive water access with hundreds of acres of crystal clear shallow sea-grass flats made perfect for the low impact sport of paddling," said Thomas.

One of the most popular sections of the Everything Kayak! Expo is the swap meet where gently used equipment and outdoor related items can be bought or sold.