BANGOR – Mark Friday, April 28, on your calendar, and save the evening for the sixth annual Paddle Smart Safety Symposium at the Bangor Y on Hammond Street.

Learn from experts how to be a safer paddler on Maine rivers, ponds, lakes or along the coast. Ask experienced paddlers and safety experts questions during workshops or at exhibits in the gymnasium. Learn what you should know during safety demonstrations in the pool.

Those who attend the 5-9:30 p.m. event can try on gear, size up boats and learn about the latest designs in gear and clothing for paddling. Talk with experienced paddlers about life jackets they enjoy wearing, about places to paddle, clubs to paddle with and where to get paddling instruction.

Admission is free, but $5 donations to support next year’s event will be accepted.

The symposium is for those who have never paddled, those who have been paddling for a short time and those who have been paddling for years.

Concurrent 45-minute workshops will be offered throughout the evening in three locations at the Bangor Y on Hammond Street. A schedule at the beginning of the event will help participants choose workshops they’d like to attend. Safety demonstrations in the pool will show how various canoe and kayak designs perform in emergency situations.

The event will conclude with the awarding of door prizes donated by industry representatives, area merchants and kayak businesses.

Sponsors of the seminar include the Bangor Y, Castine Kayak Adventures, Epic Sports, the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Safe Boating Council and the Maine Association of Sea Kayak Guides and Instructors.

For information, call Epic Sports, 941-5670, or Castine Kayak Adventures, 866-3506, or e-mail castinekayak@cs.com.

. 5 p.m. Doors open. Register for door prizes and visit exhibitor tables in gym.

. 5:30-6 p.m. Welcome and overview presentation.

Concurrent workshops:

. 6:15-7 p.m.: Beginner recreational kayaking; Shelly Johnson, “Women’s Guide to Kayaking” and “The Complete Sea Kayaker’s Handbook,” book signing; “Making the Transition from Lakes to Sea Kayaking: Understanding Tides, Currents and Charts,” Jeff Strout, Bangor Daily News columnist; canoe rescue demonstration, techniques and flotation, Penobscot Paddle and Chowder Society.

. 7:15-8 p.m. – “The Basics of Using Your GPS,” Randy McEwen, Central Maine Navigation, Carmel; “Canoes and Kayaks in Moving Water: Understanding Risks and Dangers,” Penobscot Paddle and Chowder Society; “Planning a Trip to the Maine Islands,” Maine Island Trail Association; “Kayak Rescue Demonstration: Re-entering Your Capsized Boat,” Castine Kayak Adventures.

. 8:15-9 p.m. – “Essential Equipment for Kayaking,” Mark Goff, registered Maine sea kayak guide; “Emergency Communication on the Water: Sight, Sound and Signal,” Ben Crowell, U.S. Coast Guard; “The Allagash Waterway: What to Consider When Planning Your Trip,” Marilyn Tourtellote, Allagash Waterway Park manager; “Sea Kayak Rescue Demonstration: The Art of Rescue,” Karen Francoeur of Castine Kayak Adventures.

. 9 p.m. Wrap-up, door prizes and raffle awards.

Displays in the gymnasium:

. Shelley Johnson: book signing, 5-5:30 p.m. and 7-8 p.m. Johnson is the author of “The Complete Sea Kayaker’s Handbook” and “Women’s Guide to Sea Kayaking.”

. U.S. Coast Guard: cold water information, who to call and how, whistles and more.

. Epic Sports: how to choose a paddle, life jackets, proper clothing and more.

. Castine Kayak Adventures: trip schedule and kayak instructional opportunities.

. Hands-on games station featuring throw-bag rescue, Greenland balance stool, boat-location matching, supply lists.

. Trip planning and local knowledge from “loco locals.”

. Maine Island Trail Association: discussion about coastal islands and how to preserve them, opportunity to join.

. Penobscot Valley Chapter of Maine Audubon: birding and wildlife watching from kayaks.

. Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife: what IF&W really does.

. Maine Association of Sea Kayak Guides and Instructors: what professional outfitters are doing for the paddling community.

. Penobscot Paddle and Chowder Society: coming trips and workshops.

. Penobscot River Keepers: environmental education on the river.

. Information on Lyme disease and how to avoid and recognize the tick.

. Mount Desert Island Paddlers Club: how to get involved.

. Learn about the Allagash Waterway.

. Maine Canoe Symposium: navigation and knot-tying activities.

. Penobscot River Restoration: information on their project and boat launch sites.

. Marine Patrol: information from the support crew that patrols paddling activity on salt water.

. Maine Outdoor Adventure Club: what’s coming up and how to get involved.

. Department of Environmental Protection: milfoil and how to prevent it from spreading.

Paddle Smart committee members are Karen Francoeur, Castine Kayak Adventures; Brad Ryder, Epic Sports; Mark Goff, logistics coordinator; Anne Goff, interactive stations coordinator; Al Johnson, U.S. Coast Guard; Jeff Strout, Bangor Daily News; Ben Crowell, U.S. Coast Guard.