For paddlers who’ve always wanted to stand up in a canoe – and not get a lot of verbal abuse while doing so – an upcoming event may be perfect.

On May 4, a canoe-poling workshop will be held in conjunction with the Maine Canoe Poling Championships. The event will be held on Kenduskeag Stream in Bangor beginning at 9 a.m. The cost is $5 per participant.

This is the 14th year of the canoe poling championships and workshop, and serves as a reunion of sorts for poling enthusiasts, as well as a great chance for curious outdoors folk to give poling a try.

According to organizers, the workshop will consist of methods of up- and down-stream travel using traditional Maine Guide and recreational techniques. Generally, even first-timers are be able to pole their canoes in easy rapids within minutes.

In the afternoon, individuals can compete in “wildwater” and “slalom” classes for men and women. Experienced polers can compare themselves to the best in the open class while other classes will be set up so that no previous experience is necessary.

Anyone interested should bring a 14- to 18-foot river canoe made of Kevlar, plastic or wood. A few plastic boats will be available to rent for those who pre-register.

If entrants have their own pole, they should bring it. A few aluminum poles will be available to pre-registrants or on a first-come, first-served basis.

Organizers also suggest polers bring a change of clothing, a wet suit, water shoes with sticky soles, and a pair of neoprene globes. Life jackets are required, while helmets are optional.

Among the top polers attending and teaching at the event are 11-time national champ Harry Rock and Maine Guides Linda Koski and Warren, Chip and Lani Cochrane.

Please call 695-3668 before attending. Unusual weather or water conditions could cause a change in location or date.

More information is available from Warren Cochrane at the same phone number, or by e-mailing wcochrane@midmaine.com.

Maine Canoe Symposium set

Scores of canoe enthusiasts will head to Winona Camps in Bridgton on June 6-8 for the 2003 Maine Canoe Symposium.

The event began in 1986 and features hands-on lessons, demonstrations and slide shows by North American professionals and experts.

A wide variety of paddling styles will be taught in on-the-water workshops. Northwoods, freestyle, classic solo, sit-and-switch, white water, poling and sailing will be addressed.

Sessions on paddle-making, wilderness trip skills and gear, camp cooking, river-reading, weather, map and compass, canoe repair and safety will also be offered.

The registration fee for the weekend events is $65 per adult before May 1 and $80 after that date. Children age 12 and under can register for $35 before May 1 and $40 after. The cost of meals and accommodations at Winona Camps is additional and vary according to type of lodging and number of meals.

For more information, visit the symposium Web site at www.MaineCanoeSymposium.org or call 892-3121. For reservations, call Winona Camps at 647-3721.

TU’s youth day rescheduled

Due to an abundance of ice on Pickerel Pond, the Sunkhaze Stream chapter of Trout Unlimited has changed the date of its youth fly fishing day, which was scheduled for May 4.

Instead, youngsters are invited to Maine’s Youth Fish & Game Association clubhouse on June 1.

John Keneally will be on hand to teach some basic entomology and fly fishing outfits and tying materials will be available for use.

For more information e-mail Kevin McKay at mckay@hermon.net.

Gun enthusiasts to meet

The Penobscot County Friends of the National Rifle Association will hold its 4th annual banquet and auction on May 10 at the Bangor Convention Center on Hogan Road.

The FNRA event supports the NRA Foundation, which has generated more than $40 million in contributions to projects that promote firearms and hunting safety, and enhance marksmanship skills and shooting sports.

FNRA funds in Maine have provided funds to send youngsters to conservation summer camps, purchase rifles and gear for junior smallbore shooters, and provide equipment for shotgun marksmanship to support the Boy Scouts of America and other groups.

To purchase tickets, call Tony Richard at 827-3440 or Charlie Rumsey at 941-8575.

To submit an item for publication in the Outdoor Notebook, send e-mail to jholyoke@bangordailynews.net, fax to 990-8092 or mail information to Outdoor Notebook, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor, Maine, 04402-1329.