Join the Coupeville Canoe Club

Susan Berta, Orca Network coordinator and a member of the new Penn Cove Water Festival Association, is organizing a support group she calls the Coupeville Canoe Club. Her idea for the club came from a strong desire to preserve and promote the Native American canoe races which have taken place on Penn Cove, in conjunction with the festival, since 1930.

“I just want to keep this wonderful event going for future generations,” Berta said. “It is the same desire I have for the orcas and the festival — we need to keep these events and resources here so we can all enjoy them in the years to come.”

For the first Coupeville Water Festival and Indian War Canoe Races in 1930, only 11-man canoes participated. In 1992, when Berta was program coordinator for Island County/WSU Beach Watchers and started the Penn Cove Water Festival, they decided to revive the historic canoe races and Native performances and meld them with environmental education and children’s activities. Late last year, Beach Watchers turned over sponsorship of the festival to the community. Many community organizations and individuals have taken over the Penn Cove Water Festival.

With the renewed focus on the Native canoe races, peformances and history of the Water Festival, Berta and other organizers hope to draw many participants from Northwest Tribes and First Nations. Thus came Berta’s idea of soliciting donations to help cover the costs associated with the canoe races and Native aspects of the festival. She has also organized a new race category of Family Canoes.

Contributions to the Coupeville Canoe Club can be made in several categories: Co-sponsor Family Canoe Race, $50; Canoe Club sponsorship (to cover travel costs for canoers), $100; Canoe Club co-sponsorship, $50, or a donation for the Penn Cove Water Festival in any amount. Each contributor will be acknowledged in the festival program, will receive a certificate of membership in the Coupeville Canoe Club, and will have their name permanently displayed on a special display near the museum and Coupeville waterfront.

Donations should be made out to: Island County Museum/PCWF and sent to: Penn Cove Water Festival Association, P.O. Box 393, Coupeville, WA 98239.