You would be hard-pressed to find a better event for sea kayakers in the United States. The 26th Annual West Coast Sea Kayak Symposium will take place September 25-27 at scenic Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, Washington.

For sea kayakers on the West Coast, this will be the place to be. First of all, the ferry ride from the eastern shore of Puget Sound to the Olympic Peninsula, where Port Townsend is located, is a perfect way to begin your weekend.

And why not throw your sea kayaks on top of your car? After all, Port Townsend was rated one of the Best Paddling Towns in America by Paddler magazine in 2008. Cross the Admiralty Inlet, or hug the shore and paddle into town. On the way back, look north for the glacial-clad Mount Baker.

Every year, a big name in paddling gives a speech after the salmon feed. Last year it was Jon Bowermaster. This year it will be 1992 Olympic gold medalist and Epic Kayaks co-owner Greg Barton.

Dozens of kayak manufacturers will be displaying their new boats all weekend, which will give you a great chance to demo something new. Plus, there will be on-water classes from world-class instructors, seminars ranging from how to plan an expedition to staying fit and healthy for kayaking, and, the Saturday night salmon feed.

If you've never been the WCSKS, you can see why thousands of other sea kayakers do every year. Don't miss it this time.