Dear SSTIKS Family,

It is with considerable sadness that we must announce the cancellation of SSTIKS for this year.  We really hoped to be back after the understandable inability to hold it last year.  This year would be our 20th anniversary, which makes this even harder.  But circumstances change and difficult decisions still sometimes need to be made.

While, obviously the rapid increase in new COVID-19 infections everywhere is a major factor, other developments made us unsure that we could deliver an event that would meet our and your expectations.  The high level of cases locally is also affecting others on whom we depend to support the event, including our suppliers and even the Park.  Even things like the reduced availability of emergency medical response and hospital capacity in the event of a serious mishap needed to be considered.  Of particular concern was the increasing risk of exposure for the kids attending.  Kids have always been an integral part of the SSTIKS experience, and we would not consider downsizing the event by restricting it to vaccinated adults only.

With a COVID-driven event cancellation, you are due a full refund of purchases made through Eventbrite.  We will put that process in motion in a few days and you should see the appropriate credit back to the card you used to make the purchase.  If you dealt with us directly, you will receive a refund check in the mail.

We felt we needed to take this action sooner than later to minimize planning impacts on everyone.  We apologize for other impacts this might have on you, but in looking at all factors, realized that this was the correct choice.

Now, as it turns out, as we made this move, the T-shirts folks ordered showed up.  If you would still like a T-shirt, we can make that happen.  The Eventbrite cancellation process may cause your T-shirt payment to be refunded as well, so it may be necessary to make your $15 payment some other way.  We can work it out.

If you have questions or things that need attention, please email us at SSTIKS2021@gmail.com and we will get back to you.

Again we are sorry that this had to happen, but be safe and we hope to see you down the road.

Henry, Foster, Louisa, Paul, Joanne, Don

Your SSTIKS team

South Sound Traditional Inuit Kayaking Symposium (SSTIKS) is the Northwest’s premier event devoted to traditional kayaking skills and culture. SSTIKS is held in Twanoh State Park on the beautiful Hood Canal in Washington. SSTIKS is a family-friendly event featuring some of the best mentors in Greenland-style kayaking. SSTIKS is a volunteer-run event. We thank our attendees, volunteers, supporters, mentors and, Qajaq USA who help make our non-commercial, all-volunteer event possible.