Canoecopia - 2024 Presentations by Category

Canoecopia is presented by

Presenting Sponsor

Location
Alliant Energy Center
1919 Alliant Energy Way
Madison, Wisconsin

Show Hours
Friday: 3 PM to 8 PM
Saturday: 9 AM to 6 PM
Sunday: 10 AM to 4 PM

Tickets
1-Day: $15.00
3-Day: $30.00
Ages 17 and under are FREE
Cash or check only for tickets purchased at the event

Parking Fees
1-Day: $8.00
Cash or credit, fees collected by Alliant Energy Center

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New Presenter

Daren Barrett, Kristin Vogel

The Greek Kayaking Odyssey

Bear - upstairs Sun 1:30pm-2:15pm

Intrigued in traveling and kayaking in Poros, Greece? Uncover the secrets of navigating the azure waters surrounding this idyllic island, where lush landscapes meet the Aegean Sea. From practical insights on planning your journey to the unique experiences awaiting kayakers, this presentation promises to transport you to the heart of Poros’ charm. Explore the island’s rich history, iconic landmarks, and serene coves through the lens of a kayaker’s adventure. Join us for an exploration of the ... Read More

Pete Beck

All Things Whitewater

Algonquin - main floor Sat 10:30am-11:15am

Pete Beck of the River Kings YouTube Channel brings his years of kayaking knowledge and experience to the table for an informative and entertaining discussion on all things whitewater paddling. He will discuss who can / will enjoy Whitewater paddling, how to enter the sport, needed gear, how to find paddling buddies, most enjoyable moments on the water, common pitfalls and lastly, establishing individual progression goals. There will also be a time of Q&A where audience engagement is encouraged. ... Read More

Benjamin Berthiaume, Isaac Dana

Ely To Hudson Bay

Sylvania - main floor Sun 1:30pm-2:15pm

What is it that makes an expedition valuable? Is it the miles traveled, rapids run, cool pictures taken, or the remote tracts of land?

Ben Berthiaume and Isaac Dana set off on an expedition with one goal: Reach Hudson Bay by canoe! The idea of Hudson Bay is almost mythical. It calls the adventurous even through the dense bush and many obstacles. Ben and Isaac couldn’t have known what they would experience through these travels.

Their journey is one of grueling challenges, ... Read More

Barry Brahier

Sea Kayaking Voyageurs National Park

Caribou - upstairs Sun 12:30pm-1:15pm

Voyageurs National Park in the far north of Minnesota is an amazing place for kayak camping, solo or group, especially in the fall when most of the power boats stay home. Think BWCAW but with bigger lakes, Taj Mahal campsites reserved just for you, and no portaging! Learn the nuts and bolts of a Voyageurs kayaking trip, the importance of site selection, and understand why going solo is something you can do and probably should.

Julie Carey

They just aren't listening! Communicating Safety Messages to an unreceptive Audience

Sylvania - main floor Sun 12:30pm-1:15pm

What safety topic is your soap box? Do you often find that your message isn’t being received the way you hoped? Does your audience push back and find every reason on the river why your concern doesn’t apply to them? Join this interactive presentation on communication styles and techniques for achieving compliance not only with regulations but also industry best practices for ensuring that each and every paddle is one that where everyone returns safely.

Elisabeth Condon, David Taus, James Edward Mills, Christopher Kilgour

#PaddlingSoWhite: Barriers and Solutions to Diversity in Paddlesports

Sylvania - main floor Sat 1:30pm-2:15pm

Do you feel welcome in outdoor settings? Have you ever felt uncomfortable interacting with others at a portage? Are you curious about efforts to build an inclusive paddling culture? Join experts in diversifying outdoor recreation to uncover the reasons behind the lack of diversity in paddlesports. Discover simple steps that you can take to foster inclusivity and support underrepresented communities in paddlesports. Delve into exciting initiatives in Wisconsin that are challenging the status quo ... Read More

Gillian Fitzgerald

What it Means to Paddle Like a Girl

Sylvania - main floor Sat 9:30am-10:15am

When it comes to recreating in the outdoors as a woman, some things are different. Some things are easier, some things are harder. Some things are well-known and talked about, others are not. Paddling in the Boundary Waters as a woman, whether it be as a guide, a participant, or a personal recreator, has the power to be an incredibly empowering, life-altering experience. Join this presentation and hear from Gillian and the women she’s worked alongside over the years as they share stories, tips ... Read More

Sarah Hall, Greg Hall

Passing Along the Paddle: Multi-Generational and Mentoring Trips for All Ages and Abilities

Sylvania - main floor Sun 10:30am-11:15am

Sarah and Greg Hall have experienced the Quetico and Boundary Waters together with their fathers over the past 30 years. They not only have helpful tips about gear, fishing, menus, routes, and pacing, but have also taken their now three teenagers since they were 10 months old. They have gained insight on how to structure a trip for kids and less-experienced paddlers that strengthens family connections, provides space for reflection and creativity, and actively empowers them to gain the skills ... Read More

Nolan Jacobs

Coming of Age on the Churchill and Coppermine Rivers

Sylvania - main floor Fri 3:30pm-4:15pm

This presentation talks about Nolan Jacobs’ experience of paddling on the Churchill River and Coppermine River. Nolan paddled the Churchill River in 2022 and will be speaking about the complications that come with paddling new rivers. On the Churchill River expedition, his crew of 6 was supposed to paddle from Thompson, MB to Churchill, MB. But on the expedition, his crew ran into complications and everyone had to be evacuated. One year later, he decided to paddle from Great Slave Lake to the ... Read More

Dean Juntunen

A Paraplegic’s Superior Circumnavigation

Sylvania - main floor Fri 4:30pm-5:15pm

Dean Juntunen, a T7/8 complete paraplegic, will share his 20-year circumnavigation of Lake Superior, which merged two of his favorite hobbies: Kayaking and Photography. You’ll see the best of the UP, Ontario, Minnesota, and Wisconsin shorelines, and learn how Dean problem-solved for multi-day trips.

David Meier

Awakening Wonder - A Parenting Guide for the Boundary Waters

Sylvania - main floor Sat 12:30pm-1:15pm

Ever think about taking your kids to the Boundary Waters, but fear that they’ll either 1) leap from a moving canoe, or 2) complain so much about no electronics, outdoor bathrooms, and bugs, that it just won’t be worth the hassle of taking them? We will discuss how to bring your kids to the Boundary Waters. What age is right? How do you keep them safe and happy? What are potential pitfalls? With some useful suggestions, you can lay the groundwork for a positive BWCA dynamic with your family!

Anthony & Kristen Quill

How to plan, and expand, canoe trips with little kids

Caribou - upstairs Sat 2:30pm-3:15pm

Thankfully, there are scores of parents and grandparents that have taken kids into the woods and have lived to tell the tale. This talk will focus on the skills and mindset needed to navigate the backcountry with young ones. It will touch on planning techniques, setting reasonable goals and objectives, and how to use your first trip as a building block for longer and more complicated trips in the future. While gear will be discussed, it is not the gear that makes or breaks a trip, but the ... Read More

Jeffrey Rohr

Oh, What a Trip!

Caribou - upstairs Sun 1:30pm-2:15pm

Oh, What a Trip is a memoir of the first years leading up to how Jeff Rohr became a wilderness canoe guide for over 40 years. It is a humorous book that talks about the excellent adventures that most people would not embark on. The presentation will include some of these adventures and certainly would hope to inspire people to do their own excellent adventures and, most importantly, how to be successful and safe in the wilderness. The planning, including research, equipment, packing, and more ... Read More

Ben Strege, Weston Strege

Generations Paddling Together: Nurturing a Love of Canoeing in Your Family

Bear - upstairs Sun 2:30pm-3:15pm

Embark on a journey with Ben and his 14-year-old son, Weston, as they share their family’s passion for canoeing. Explore the art of raising children who embrace the great outdoors and develop an authentic love for paddling. Discover Ben’s insights on introducing kids to wilderness early on, crafting a family narrative steeped in the timeless joy of canoeing. Weston, growing up amidst these adventures, provides a unique teenage perspective on the joys and challenges of canoeing as a family.
... Read More

Lloyd Vogel

Ultralight Backpacking? What Newbies Need to Know!

Sylvania - main floor Sat 2:30pm-3:15pm

As someone who got their start in the outdoors through canoeing and sea kayaking, over the past 10 years I’ve developed a love for backpacking, specifically ultralight backpacking! Are you a paddler at heart who is entertaining the notion of walking on land? I’ll talk you through the gear and ethos of ultralight backpacking, and discuss the biggest things you’ll need to consider.

Ken Whiting

Choosing the Right Kayak with Ken Whiting

Quetico - main floor Fri 6:30pm-7:15pm

Superior - main floor Sat 10:30am-11:15am

Choosing the right kayak is a challenge, and no decision will have a bigger impact on how enjoyable and safe your paddling experience is. Having tested and reviewed over 70 kayaks ranging from $100 inflatables to $6000 sea kayaks, no one has more insight into how to choose the right kayak than author, producer, and host of the PaddleTV YouTube channel, Ken Whiting.

Verena Wildenstein, Taylor (he/him) Pace

Amazing Rivers of Canada's Northwest Territories

Bear - upstairs Sat 11:30am-12:15pm

Join second generation owner/operators of Canoe North Adventures Verena Wildenstein and Taylor Pace as they introduce you to their favorite rivers in Canada’s Northwest Territories and share the many secrets that define each river trip as unique and unforgettable. Discover what makes the Keele, Mountain, Horton, and Nahanni Rivers top destinations including fishing, wildlife viewing, and varied landscapes, from the Mackenzie Mountains to the barrenlands at the Arctic coast.

Jeff Wilson, Terry Daulton

Wrong Tree: Adventures in Wildlife

Algonquin - main floor Sat 1:30pm-2:15pm

Jeff Wilson’s stories bring you along on his wildlife adventures, whether you ride in his canoe as he observes nesting loons, join him climbing into an eagle nest atop a super canopy pine, or crawl with him deep into a bear den. From his Iowa farm youth, Wilson’s love of adventure lured him to the Northwoods of Wisconsin where his 30+ year career as a wildlife technician for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources found him moving problem bears and beaver, assisting with research on ... Read More

Dan Wong

Paddling in the Northwest Territories

BWCA - main floor Sat 4:30pm-5:15pm

From the stunning beauty and world-class features of northern heritage rivers and Canada’s newest national park, discover your trip of a lifetime in the Arctic. Travelling from Yellowknife to Canoecopia, the Canadian North represents more than just a destination; it’s where we call home. We are stoked to share our local knowledge as leaders in Arctic paddling. We hope to spark your own true wilderness adventure. Let’s go!

Lisa Yoder

Paddling Greece: Learn How To Do Adventure Paddling Trips

Algonquin - main floor Fri 3:30pm-4:15pm

Do you long to do adventure paddling but aren’t comfortable planning a big-water trip? Paddling with a quality outfitter bridges the gap between skills and adventure, as well as allowing both high-level and less-experienced paddlers to share the adventure together. Learn how to choose a quality outfitter as well as how to do an overseas trip alone or with a paddling group through the profiled 9-day paddling trip in Milos, Greece, (2023) with 13 Midwestern paddlers.