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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Young Presenters

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

Will Collins

America By Canoe - Stories and Lessons from 4,300 miles on the Yukon & Mississippi Rivers

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

Big rivers, wild country, and two adventures of a lifetime. Join wilderness guide and podcast host Will Collins as he shares stories, lessons, and insights from two trips on Americas largest rivers: 103 days solo canoeing the Mississippi and 70 days canoeing the Yukon River.

Learn about exploring America from the low-down view of a canoe, including seeing barges, wolves, salmon runs.

Will Collins

Catch More Fish - Tips, Tricks & Stories for Canoe & Kayak fishing

Bear - upstairs Fri 3:30pm-4:15pm

Join angler and wilderness guide Will Collins for fishing tips tricks and stories to help up your game and put more fish in the canoe or kayak. We’ll talk gear, boating & fishing strategy, how to approach & break down new water, and of course share great fish photos! Bring your questions and let’s talk fish!

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

Nicholas Gordon

Culinary Tips for Backcountry Trips

Bear - upstairs Sat 3:30pm-4:15pm

This isn’t your average dehydrated spaghetti talk! Join Nick Gordon, an experienced camp chef and guide, for a culinary adventure that will launch your trail food’s bliss index from blah to WOW! This expedition paddles into daring, creative, ultralight, shelf-stable, savory awesomeness with a side of caloric fill power. “There is no better way to end a tough day than with an exceptional meal,” says Nick (aka Nick of the Woods) who has a reputation for imagination when feeding exhausted paddlers ... 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

Doris Kolodji

Power to the Pipsqueaks: anyone can pack, paddle and portage

Atrium - upstairs Sat 4:30pm-5:15pm

If you’ve always wanted to pick up a canoe and portage like the “big boys,” then this energetic, hands-on workshop is for you. Don’t let the idea of picking up and carrying your own canoe be a barrier! For decades, Northern Lakes Girl Scout Canoe Base has been training women and girls to travel through the BWCAW and Quetico Park. They specialize in teaching novices to feel like pros regardless of size or experience. Learn tips and tricks for women and youth in the wilderness from a team of ... Read More

Zorbari Nwidor, Tia Coats, Noah Viner

From Underground to Water Trail: Blue Spaces for Black Faces

Bear - upstairs Sat 10:30am-11:15am

This presentation will go into the history of the African American heritage trail, its ties to the Underground Railroad, the mission to make outdoor spaces more accessible to people of color, and how restorative justice has been a key component to reclaiming and sustaining these spaces. We will discuss the history, impact, and importance of this 7-mile water trail that starts on the South Side of Chicago and ends in Dolton, Illinois, touching neighborhoods like Golden Gate, Riverside Village, ... 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.

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.