SSTIKS 2025

SSTIKS 2025

The South Sound Traditional Inuit Kayaking Symposium is the Northwest’s premier event devoted to traditional kayaking skills and culture.

By South Sound Traditional Inuit Kayaking Symposium

Date and time

June 6 · 12pm - June 9 · 10am PDT

Location

Vista Park

5 Vista Park Road Skamokawa Valley, WA 98647 United States

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 30 days before event
Eventbrite's fee is nonrefundable.

About this event

  • Event lasts 2 days 22 hours

SSTIKS 2025

SSTIKS 2025

Welcome to SSTIKS 2025 - Were so excited to be able to offer South Sound Traditional Inuit Kayaking Symposium (SSTIKS) this year! This is the Northwest’s premier event devoted to traditional kayaking skills and culture. SSTIKS is a family-friendly event featuring some of the best mentors in Greenland-style kayaking. Our guest mentors will include Brian Schulz and Dubside! SSTIKS will be held at Visa Park located in Skamokawa, WA. While there you'll get the opportunity to learn new skills with mentors, enjoy some catered meals, yoga, watch the SSTIKS Film Festival, and so much more.

Frequently asked questions

What time is Check In?

Vista Parks check in time is 2 pm. However, we will have our SSTIKS registration table set up at noon. Early arrivals are welcome to park in overflow parking or in the day use area. Please do not set up tent sites until instructed to do so by a SSTIKS registration volunteer.

I will be arriving late what do I do?

Late arrivals are ok. We will have someone at our SSTIKS registration table throughout the day to assist you with checking in. If you're arriving after 8pm please make prior arrangements.

What if I do not wish to tent camp?

SSTIKS has RV sites avaiable if you have your own travel trailer or RV. Vista Park also has yurts you may reserve directly through the park. Skamokawa Resort is walking or a short paddle away. Check out https://wahkiakum.us/accommodations/ for more lodging. As well as Airbnb.

What is the weather like in Skamokawa, WA?

During the month of June, Skamokawa, WA, has an average daytime high temperature of 70°F and an average overnight low temperature dropping to 46°F. Around 3.44 inches of precipitation is received during the month. Bring layers to accomodate for warm days and cool nights and the possibilty for rain.

Where can I learn more about this event and future SSTIKS events?

Save the date for June 12,13,14 2026. Please check out our website for the most up to date info https://www.qajaqpnw.org.

Can I bring my pet?

Pets are not permitted to attend SSTIKS.

What amenities does Vista Park have?

Vista Park has public restrooms for campers that are walking distance from our reserved camp sites. You will need bring quarters for the use of the showers. They have a vending machine for bottled water and sodas. Visit their website for more info.https://wahport2.org

Arriving a day early?

We know some of you are traveling from affair. If you wish to camp at Vista Park before SSTIKS we suggest that you reserve a site in our reserved area so you do not have to move sites on Friday. See our email after check out for a list of reserved campsites or stay at a local hotel.

How do I participate in the SSTIKS Film Festival?

Check out this link for all the details and past examples. We would love to see what you create! https://www.qajaqpnw.org/film-festival/

Where can I see the SSTIKS schedule?

Great question please see our event website for a list of classes provided. Our schedule will be fine tuned as participants register. https://www.qajaqpnw.org/schedule/

Are kids welcome at SSTIKS?

Yes SSTIKS is a family friendly event. Children who sign up for any of the kids track activities will need to have a parent or gauardian with them. Children who sign up for any of the kids track activities will need to have a parent or guardian with them at all times.

Organized by

South Sound Traditional Inuit Kayaking Symposium

The impetus for SSTIKS came out of discussions starting in 2001 among local kayakers who had a love for Greenland paddles, skin-on-frame boats, and the traditional Inuit paddling arts. At the time, there were very few folks in the Pacific Northwest who followed this discipline and even fewer resources for learning; videos were few and far between and no Greenland paddle mentors visited us in this region.

Wouldn’t it be great, they asked,  if there was a weekend wherein those who loved this kind of paddling could gather to share skills and learning?  To have fun on the water in our peculiar craft?

So SSTIKS was born.  The first event was held in June of 2002.  It attracted about 75 attendees. As the event was dedicated to the open sharing of knowledge, the ethos that would later be defined as SSTIKSishness was laid down: a non-commercial, non-profit, familial, community-based event for sharing knowledge and having fun.

Many of the STSIKs traditions were established early – paddle carving classes, the salmon barbecue, the shared meals and more.  In 2005, the first SSTIKS kids track was held.  This proved immediately popular and has served to help define our event - the only kayaking event that welcomes kids as part of the process.  SSTIKS was truly a family event.

SSTIKS continues to thrive, each year introducing new ideas whilst preserving the core of SSTIKIShness laid down in 2002.

Click Here to Jump to the SSTIKS Home Page @ http://qajaqnw.org