“We wanted to make it an energetic, dynamic weekend,” said festival coordinator Cherie Brooksbank. “We’re trying to fit certain things into the weekend, without having to give too many options so people wouldn’t have to make conflicting choices.”

Sponsored by the Homer Chamber of Commerce, this year’s kayak fest has two goals, said chamber president Derotha Ferraro. First, it shows that Kachemak Bay is a great place to kayak. Second, the fest introduces newcomers to kayaking. Experienced kayakers can hone their skills, and join in longer, challenging tours — and all at reduced rates, Ferraro said.

Some of the bargains include water taxi rides for paddlers and kayakers for $45 a person round trip or a two-day, one-night wilderness paddle and trek tour — kayak rental and guide included — for $365.

The action centers around the Homer Spit Marine Terminal next to the Homer Ice Arena. In the sheltered barge basin, beginners can try out kayaks. If they’re ready for more, they can learn the basics of kayaking, such as water safety, paddling, bracing, rescue and wet exits. The one-day introductory class is $115, tax included.

“It’s affordable and short,” Ferraro said.

New kayakers can try out their skills with tours around the Spit or in the harbor. More advanced kayakers can paddle across the bay — sea permitting — to Gull Island, or try out surfing skills.

The daily events don’t end in the afternoon — or stay on the water. On land, evening events include the Kayak Film Festival, a Paddler Pancake Breakfast, Qayak Films at the Pratt Museum, a Kayak Fest Paddle Party and the big event, “Tradition and Technology in the Arctic,” a two-part talk by keynote speaker Martin Leonard III.

Leonard, a teacher from Bethel, is an experienced extreme and wilderness kayaker. Leonard helped perfect the Arctic Cheetah, a fast, lean racing kayak he used to make a solo transit of the Northwest Passage in 1996 — one of a handful of people to kayak the passage in modern times. At 7 p.m. Saturday, Leonard talks about the Arctic Cheetah at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center. He demonstrates the Cheetah and talks about similar high-concept kayaks at noon Sunday at the Homer Marine Terminal.

At 6 p.m. Sunday at the Kachemak Bay Campus, Leonard discusses his efforts to promote a kayak renaissance among Native students in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta as well as the significance of traditional knowledge. Each talk is $12, or $20 for both.

Although the official event runs the weekend, kayakers can take advantage of some special festival prices into next week, Ferraro said. Some sponsors offer rates good through June 4.

The festival ends with a Paddle Party starting at 8 p.m. Sunday at Beluga Lake Lodge and Restaurant.

The official guide is available at the Homer Chamber of Commerce or on the Web at www.kachemak bayfest.com.