City announces upcoming community events

A number of community events are planned in the coming weeks, Sandpoint officials announced Friday.

Events include:

• Sand Creek Paddlers’ Challenge

The 12th annual Sand Creek Paddlers’ Challenge is a fun and exciting event for families and serious racers alike. The community is invited to join the Sandpoint Parks & Recreation Department on Saturday, June 6, for the annual event.

Pre-registration at sandpointidaho.gov/parksrecreation. Check in and on-site registration is from 9-9:30 a.m. at the City Beach pavilion. Pre-race meetings starts at 9:30 a.m. and the race will begin at 10 a.m. The fee is $10/boat.

The Paddlers Challenge is a 4-mile paddle up and back on Sand Creek and has three separate divisions: two race divisions, solo & tandem, a recreation division for those who don’t want to leave a wake, and a SUP (stand up paddleboard) division. There are trophies for first place in each division and random drawings for prizes. This event has grown each year, and is quickly becoming a don’t-miss event.

• Tai Chi at City Beach

Mark Evans, invites all to this free offering of Tai Chi at City Beach.

Tai chi is an ancient Chinese tradition that, today, is practiced as a graceful form of exercise. It involves a series of movements performed in a slow, focused manner and is accompanied by deep breathing. Tai chi is low impact and puts minimal stress on muscles and joints, making it generally safe for all ages and fitness levels. Because tai chi is a low-impact exercise, it may be especially suitable if you’re an older adult who otherwise may not exercise.

Tai Chi enthusiasts will meet at the Sandpoint City Beach Basketball Court every Saturday, and begin their practice at 8 a.m. starting June 6. All are welcome to join in at no cost. However, the core group has been practicing for several/many years. Newcomers may find it challenging as this is not an instructional offering. Participants will keep a safe social distance of 10 feet from others. If the weather is bad, the group will not meet.

• Beginning ukulele (ages 12-adult)

Sandpoint Parks and Recreation online registration is open for session 1 of beginning ukulele.Students will learn the basics: tuning, chords, reading tab to play melodies and riffs, and cool simple strumming and finger picking techniques. Students are asked to bring their own music stand and soprano, concert, or tenor ukulele to class (no baritone ukes).

The registration deadline is Thursday June 4. Classes are held Mondays, June 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 6-7 p.m. at Community Hall, 204 S. First Avenue. The session fee is $40/person ($4 non-resident fee). A minimum of 4 registered students is required to hold the class.

• CPR/AED with optional first aid

American Health & Safety Institute’s CPR/AED with optional first aid is a general community course for persons with little or no medical training, who need CPR/AED and/or first aid card for work OSHA requirements, school or personal knowledge.

The course meets American Heart Association guidelines. All sessions held at City Council chambers, 1123 Lake St. It is open to those from age 16 to adult; however, those 12-15 years old are allowed if they hold a P&R babysitting certification or are concurrently registering with a guardian/adult.

A minimum of eight registered participants are needed to run the course.

The online registration deadlin is June 4. the class begins June 8. CPR/AED training will be from 4-6 p.m. and first aid is 6-8 p.m.

The CPR/AED class fee is $35; the first aid option is an additional $25.

Register online at sandpointidaho.gov/parksrecreation or visit Parks & Recreation in person at 1123 Lake St. For additional classes, visit the Parks & Recreation website or call the department at 208-263-3613.