PRIEST RIVER — Gather your kayak, paddleboard, raft or anything in between because the Pend Oreille Rowing and Paddling Association Sprints is set to return to the banks of Priest River on Saturday.

Erwin Muller, PORPA's rowing coordinator, said the event started over a decade ago as a promotion of rowing; it has evolved into a celebration of non-motorized boating. That approach to the sprints is heading into its fourth year and helped the event grow to become a community staple, especially among the youth. 

"The kids hear about it, and they want to participate. They tell their parents, and then the parents come out, and they join themselves," Muller said. "The local businesses have been really wonderful as far as sponsoring this, and every year we manage to get enough funds for all the minors without having to pay the registration fee." 

Focusing on the next generation is a large part of the event, as they will go on to carry the torch of rowing in the region, Muller said. It's for that reason that every kid gets a t-shirt and does not have to pay to register. 

The final race of the day is a relay race, and it's quickly become Muller's favorite event. In the race, two teams compete across four legs using three different types of non-motorized boats, tossing a dog frisbee between the vessels to pass the baton. 

"In the past few years, what has happened is that families have decided to be a relay team, so it's a family event," Muller said. "It's really neat." 

Muller said that PORPA works closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which operates the Priest River Recreation Area or "Mudhole," to make the event happen every year.  

"We're just very happy and very grateful to the Corps of Engineers that they allow us to do it at least once a year," Muller said. "They actually want to do things for the community because these parks are not their property, right? It's everybody's park." 

In addition to the sprint, PORPA also works alongside the USACE and the Long Bridge Swim Association to provide swimming lessons to kids in the county. Muller said the week-long program has experienced a surge in demand, so much so that PORPA has added another camp at Springy Point in Sagle in addition to the camp at the Riley Creek Recreation Area. 

"It's again to show that I mean we care about the community," Muller said. "We want the community to be safe on the water, and that water is not just something to be afraid of. But [something] you can enjoy and have fun with." 

While the organization is excited for the event, they are keeping a close eye on the air quality situation, Muller said. If the AIQ is projected to be over 150 on Thursday, reaching an unhealthy level, Muller said that the organization will be forced to cancel this year's event. However, he added that the event is scheduled to return in its same form next year, regardless of this year's outcome. 

The event is set to kick off at 7 a.m. on Saturday with races starting at 8 a.m. following the mandatory safety meeting. Attendees can register ahead of time by visiting the organization's website, porpa.org, or on the day of at the Mudhole. 

    Members of Pend Oreille River Paddlers Association take part in the sprint races in mid-August.