BANGOR – Mark your calendars for the fourth annual Paddle Smart Safety Symposium, a free event scheduled from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 21, at the Bangor YMCA on Hammond Street.

The Bangor YMCA, Castine Kayak Adventures, Epic Sports and the U.S. Coast Guard have pooled their resources yet again to offer the informative event.

Thanks to support from individuals and organizations for the past three years, officials said, they have been able to meet the goal of reaching out to inform the paddling public of the inherent dangers of the sport and to educate them in risk reduction.

The focus of the event has been and continues to be safety. The workshops focus on helping participants discover what they need to know to be safe paddlers.

During the evening, participants will have an opportunity to try on gear, size themselves up to boats, and learn about the latest designs in gear and clothing for paddling.

They may talk with experts about lifejackets they enjoy wearing, places to paddle, clubs to paddle with and where to get paddling instruction.

Whether someone has never paddled but considered it, been paddling for a short time or been paddling for years, there’s sure to be something for everyone at the event. Displays set up in the gym will lend themselves to interactive discussions with experts.

Concurrent 45-minute presentations will be offered throughout the evening at the Bangor YMCA. A schedule will be provided at the beginning of the event so participants may choose workshops they would like to attend.

Participants will offer navigation workshops covering the basics of what a paddler should know about an area. An introduction to GPS and how it works will be offered.

Attendees will have an opportunity to learn about what kind of equipment they should have with them when they paddle and why. A workshop covering how to best contact help when needed, by either Marine Band Radio, cell phone or signaling devices will be offered by those who know, the U.S. Coast Guard. Castine Kayak Adventures’ Karen Francoeur will present kayak and canoe rescue techniques in the pool.

Workshops during the Friday evening event will include “What Really Causes the Tide,” with Neil Comins, University of Maine professor; “Birds to Observe While Paddling,” with Chris Corio of the Bangor Daily News and Fields Pond Nature Center; “Kayak Navigation and Paddling Etiquette,” with Jeff Strout of the Bangor Daily News; “Choosing the Right Equipment,” with Shelley Johnson; “Try Out Boats in the Pool,” Epic Sports; “Risk Assessment” with Mark Goff, sea kayak guide; “Canoe and Kayak Racing,” with Paula Lunt; “Communications, Sight and Sound,” with Al Johnson, U.S. Coast Guard; “What GPS Can Do for You,” with Dick Parker; and “Repairing your Kayak,” with Earl Baldwin, Baldwin Boats.

Displays in the gymnasium Friday will include book signing by Shelley Johnson, author of “Sea Kayaking Maine” and “Sea Kayaking: A Woman’s Guide;” choosing a paddle; fitting a lifejacket; maps and navigation aids by the Map Store; Maine Island Trail Association; Maine Sea Kayak Guides and Instructors Association; Maine Outdoor Adventure Club; U.S. Coast Guard; understanding and preventing Lyme disease; Penobscot Paddle and Chowder Club; Macro Racing Organization; Field’s Pond Nature Center; Department of Environmental Protection and milfoil prevention; Inland Fish and Wildlife; and United Technologies Outdoor Program.

As in the past two years, the event will conclude with awards of door prizes donated by industry representatives, area merchants and kayak businesses.

After the Friday event, more hands-on opportunities will be available on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday morning, meet at Pushaw Lake for free boat tryouts offered by Epic Sports. Castine Kayak Adventures will offer beginner lessons from 9 to 11 a.m. and intermediate kayak lessons from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 22; and rescue clinics from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, May 23, at the Old Town Pool.

Information about more kayak lessons offered by Castine Kayak will be available at the event. Folks may sign up for the clinics before the event by calling 866-3506, or sign up at the event. Space is limited.

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