Outdoors notes: Two days set for volunteers to clean beaches

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The public is invited to join in efforts to clean up Washington coastal beaches next weekend in observance of National Public Lands Day. Operation Shore Patrol, coordinated by the Pacific Northwest 4-Wheel Drive Association, will clean up Pacific coastal beaches Sept. 18-19, in cooperation with beach communities, other citizen volunteers, state and local public agencies and coastal tribes. Several state parks waive camping fees for cleanup participants. For more information: www.parks.wa.gov/shorepatrol.asp or 360-902-8582

Lynnwood Parks is offering a whitewater rafting trip on the Tieton River at 9 a.m. Sept. 26. The 16-mile ride is open to ages 16 and older. No experience is necessary, but participants need to be in at least average physical condition and able to paddle. Cost is $55 for Lynnwood residents, $60 for others. Details: 425-771-4030

REI Adventures travel expert Rusty Brennan will host a free slide show on the Galapagos Islands and the jungles of Ecuador at 7 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Seattle REI store, 222 Yale Ave. N. Details: www.rei.com/seattle or 206-223-1944

The Poverty Bay Power Squadron boating-safety classes are Sept. 18, Oct. 9 and Nov. 6 in Des Moines, and Oct. 16 in Federal Way/Tacoma. Classes are free, but there will be a small cost for materials. Details: 253-815-8983 or usps.org/localusps/pbps

The Sky Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the PUD Building at 120 E. Fremont St. in Monroe. Guest speaker is Al Hazelquist of Big Al's Tackle Company. Details: 360-794-6378

The Baker Bay Kayak and Canoe Race will be noon Sept. 18 at the Ilwaco Harbor Marina boat launch in Pacific County. The 10K flat-water circular course is located in the northeastern section of Baker Bay and finishes at the Ilwaco Harbor. Awards will be given to the top three finishers for each of nine divisions in age brackets for 24 years and under; 25 to 45 years; and 46 years and older. Entry is limited to the first 100 people registering, ages 14 and older. Those 18 and under must have written parental consent and be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $35 per person by Sept. 16, or $40 on the day of event. Details: 360-642-2291 or www.bakerbayrace.com

Seattle Rifle and Pistol Association hunter sight-ins are Sept. 18-19, Oct. 2-3 and Oct. 9-10, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at 725 135th Ave. S.E. in Snohomish. Cost is $5 per person. Details: 425-488-6885

Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon is hosting boating classes on navigation and voyage planning Sept. 25-Nov. 13. The class on navigation for recreational boaters will cover selection, maintenance and correction of charts and publications; plotting; radar; GPS chart plotting; depth sounders; maneuvering; line handling; marlinespike seamanship, and weather observation. Cost is $70 per person. The voyage-planning class covers basic seamanship for the coastal cruiser, and how to develop a voyage plan, including routes, weather considerations, resources, contingencies, port calls, fuel, provisions, permits and licenses. Cost is $75 per person. Details: 360-416-7873 or www.nwmarinesolutions.com
 
Compiled by Mark Yuasa, Seattle Times staff reporter. He can be reached at 206-464-8780; e-mail: outdoorsnotes@seattletimes.com; fax: 206-464-3255; address: P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111.