If spring fever hasn’t hit you yet check your pulse. Next Wednesday’s the day when the sun “crosses” the equator on its apparent trip northward. (Yes, I know it’s really the earth’s tipping that causes the northward “march.”) On Wednesday, the day of the Vernal Equinox, we’ll have 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of dark, and that sure beats the nine hours or so of daylight we had just before Christmas, doesn’t it? What’s even better is that the days will keep getting longer well into June. Bad news for you night stalkers, but you could always head to the southern hemisphere for the next several months and celebrate the coming of the winter season there.

As for me, I’m ready to enjoy open water and warmer temperatures.

Numerous diehard whitewater enthusiasts who enjoy cramming themselves into tiny, pointed plastic shoeboxes have already been out playing on Kenduskeag Stream in Bangor. It’s probably not a bad time to be out given the fact that there probably won’t be much more running water if our drought conditions continue.

Me? I’m betting on the ocean levels remaining adequate for paddling.

Whatever your vessel of choice, now’s the time to get it out and make it ready for the fun times coming. It’s also a great time to go over all your paddling gear to be sure it will serve you well. Collect all your safety gear and put it in dry bags so you’ll be ready and properly equipped when the day comes real soon when you’ll want to hit the water.

And speaking of paddling… I’ve got a few dates of upcoming paddling-oriented events for you to place on your calendar.

For those who are getting really antsy and feel the need to rub shoulders with others of the same affliction, there’s the Kittery Trading Post’s New England Paddlesports Show April 5-7 at the University of New Hampshire’s field house in Durham, N.H. If memory serves me correctly, this is the third annual show which is primarily a commercial shopping event with a few educational seminars and demonstrations thrown in. Last year, I was one of those thrown in as a victim in a kayak rescue session at the pool.

Dealers representing the various kayak and paddling accessory manufacturers show up in force to answer any questions you might have about their products. Daily admission is $5 or $8 for a three-day pass. Call Kittery Trading Post at 1-888-KTP-MAINE or visit their Web site at www.kitterytradingpost.com for more information.

Next, and closer to home is the second annual Paddle Smart from the Start PaddleSport Safety Symposium 5-9:30 p.m. Friday, May 10 at the Bangor YMCA on Hammond Street. I have a personal interest in this one in that friends of mine and I have worked to organize it. It’s free and its focus is on safety on the water. The YMCA, Cadillac Mountain Sports, Castine Kayak Adventures, Department of Marine Resources/Marine Patrol, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the U.S. Coast Guard are the driving forces. The event is planned to precede the kickoff of National Safe Boating Week, May 18-24.

This year there will be displays and demonstrations on choosing a paddle, dressing properly for the water, Lyme Disease, Maine Island Trail Association, Maine Outdoor Adventure Club, the U.S. Power Squadron and others. Cadillac Mountain Sports will have a display of sea kayaks as well as a few canoes.

Lectures will include the basics of navigation, communicating from your boat, effective rescue techniques including in-pool demonstrations, essential equipment, boat selection and use of the Global Positioning System. Shelley Johnson, an editor with Canoe and Kayak Magazine, will be present to sign her books, which include “Sea Kayaking Maine” and “Sea Kayaking: A Women’s Guide.”

The emphasis is on safety and personal flotation devices will be the common thread as all presenters will be wearing one, and there will be a display of various types available on the market.

Here’s the roster:

. Scott Anchors of Castine Kayak Adventures and a Registered Maine Guide, will talk about selecting a boat that is best suited for your needs;

. A representative from the Coast Guard will talk on the proper ways of communicating from your boat including use of VHF radios, paddles, whistles or cell phones;

. Cadillac Mountain Sports staff will talk about essential equipment for a paddling trip, be it a quick morning jaunt to a day-or-longer trip;

. Karen Francoeur of Castine Kayak Adventures and a Registered Maine Guide, will demonstrate rescue techniques in the pool;

. And yours truly, also a Registered Maine Guide, will talk about the basics of navigation (that’s worth the price of admission all by itself!)

So come on down after work on May 10 and plan to learn something. The folks who attended last year’s symposium enjoyed themselves, and many asked for a rerun this year. If Friday night isn’t enough and you want some on-water experience, the next day, Saturday, on Pushaw Lake at Gould’s Landing there will be instructional clinics and boat demonstrations. Saturday afternoon there will be rescue clinics at the Old Town-Orono YMCA Pool.

For more information about Paddle Smart from the Start, contact Brad Ryder at Cadillac Mountain Sports (941-5670); Lydia Morgan assistant aquatics director at the Bangor YMCA (941-2815) or Francoeur, Castine Kayak Adventures (866-3506).

While your calendar is still out, June 7-9 is a busy weekend, and one that will separate the kayakers from the canoers in your household. Those of you who paddle with only one blade will want to head to Winona Camps on Moose Pond in Bridgton and spend the weekend learning about and enjoying canoes and paddling. Everything canoe is on tap here. It’s an enjoyable weekend complete with meals and lodging packages available. For more information check out the Web at www.mainecanoesymposium.org or call 892-3121 for more information. For reservations call 647-3721.

On the same weekend in a different part of the state is L.L. Bean’s Paddlesports Festival in Biddeford. It’s a new venue for the former Atlantic Coast Sea Kayak symposium the company ran for 20 years, mostly in Castine at Maine Maritime Academy. The Biddeford site is at the University of New England where lodging will be available in the dorms.

There will be exhibits of canoes, kayaks and paddling gear; paddling tours, auctions, and workshops on such topics as getting started in paddling; choosing equipment; ideas for family canoe trips; planning a sea kayak trip; and packing tips for your trip and others.

Admission is $10 per day or $20 for three days and children under 18 are admitted free.

For more information, call the Outdoor Discovery School at 888-552-3261 or checkout the Web site at www.llban.com/ODP.

Jeff Strout’s column is published on Saturdays. He can be reached at 990-8202 or by e-mail at jstrout@bangordailynews.net.