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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Gear/Equipment

John Chase

Perfectly Pack your Kayak for a Multi-Day Trip

Atrium - upstairs Fri 6:30pm-7:15pm

Loading your personal and shared group gear in your boat is both art and science. This hands-on workshop will equip you with tips and tricks to pack your kit for a dry, safe and enjoyable multi-day journey without having to cut the handle off your toothbrush.

Wayne Horodowich

How To Choose The Kayak That Works Best For You

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

Trying to choose a kayak can be overwhelming with the seemingly endless variety of boats available in the marketplace. Your goal is to find the boat that fits your needs and your budget. If you want a step-by-step approach to finding the kayak that works best for you then join Wayne for a dynamic and detailed discussion. Wayne will draw upon his 35 years of teaching kayaking and fitting paddlers into kayaks so they can have an enjoyable experience.

Colleen and Jonny Kuehl, Colleen Kuehl, Jonny Kuehl

Backcountry Couples - It's All About Adventuring Together!

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

This backcountry couple started out with passion, 60lb packs, few paddling techniques and basic camping skills only to realize they could go further and deeper into the wilderness if they did it together! Come join, as they showcase gear, share tips, stories on how fun and cool it is adventuring as a team in all seasons.

Pete Kuhn

The Perfect Fitting Kayak

Atrium - upstairs Fri 5:30pm-6:15pm

This talk/demonstration will cover how to make adjustments to the inside of a kayak cockpit. These will cover seat and foot peg adjustments/modifications followed by customizing thigh braces with foam, using a cut-a-way kayak to show possible placement of modifications. Materials and shaping techniques will also be discussed.

Blake Longworth

Understanding the Vast Options in Paddling Clothing

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

Cold feet… cold hands… just plain cold. Sweaty… sun burnt. Neoprene vs. dry suit? Is it really a ladies’ fit, or is it just purple? This splash jacket looks a lot like my rain jacket. Nowhere in the world (seriously) will you see the variety of paddling clothing that you will at Canoecopia. But wow… it’s a lot to digest. Take some time to relax, bring a snack or a beverage, and hang out with 20-year Canoecopia veteran Danny Mongno. In this open discussion, we will address everything above and ... Read More

Danny Mongno

Selecting the Perfect Kayak Paddle

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

Atrium - upstairs Sat 9:30am-10:15am

To truly enjoy the sport of kayaking we need to be more efficient in our strokes. The less energy we use, the longer we can stay out, the more fun we will have. A key element of efficiency in your paddling is making sure you have the proper design and fitted paddle. Join 20 year veteran Canoecopia presenter, Danny Mongno, as he explains all the aspects of selecting the perfect kayak paddle. Once everyone has their perfect paddle fit dialed in, he will spend the remainder of the class working on ... Read More

Michael Neiger

How to assemble and wear an in-pocket survival kit for a wilderness adventure

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

This high-quality PowerPoint presentation will discuss how to assemble and wear an in-pocket survival kit for a wilderness adventure by canoe, kayak, paddle board, mountain bike, ski, snowshoe, or foot. If you ever become lost in the bush, these items will help you survive until rescuers reach you. It will cover sheath knives; pocket knives; whistles; signal mirrors; butane lighters; waterproof, windproof lifeboat matches; spark-ignitable waterproof firestarters; ferro sparking rods; magnesium ... Read More

Stacie & Vince Sadowski, Vince Sadowski

Hammock Camping 101

Caribou - upstairs Sat 9:30am-10:15am

Curious about how to get started hammock camping? This presentation will review the basics: the advantages and disadvantages to hammocks, equipment that you can buy or make, safety tips, and Leave No Trace principles. Either for use as a primary shelter, or just an occasional add-on, hammock camping will expand your fun and comfort outdoors. Avoid common mistakes and misconceptions about hammocks. Learn about different hammock styles, sleeping positions, and yes - even sleeping with two people ... Read More

Nick Schade

Why Would I Build My Own Wooden Boat

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

“I would be afraid to put it in the water.”

I hear it all the time. While there is a long tradition of using wood in canoes and kayaks, there remains a streak of skepticism regarding using wood for serious paddling.

Learn about the benefits and joys of building your own kayak, canoe, or other small boat. In a world where you can get just about anything while sitting at your desk and have it delivered to your door within a couple days, there is something very ... Read More

Joshua Trombley

The Adirondack Pack Boat (and beyond)

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

Adirondack Pack Boats were designed for Victorian-era explorers brave enough to venture into the Northeast wilderness. Still popular in New York’s Adirondack Park among a new generation of explorers, a 15-pound solo canoe has piqued the interest of paddlers far and wide. Joshua will share the history of the pack boat and its evolution into a craft that offers paddlers independence that only a lightweight boat can provide. Joshua will discuss different designs: the advantages of a double-bladed ... 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.

Karla With a K

Hammock Camping 201

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

Dive deeper into the hammock-camping world and learn how to get the best sleep after a long paddle. We will talk about suspension, protection (tarp & bug net), hammock (style, length, & fabric) and insulation (pads, TQ / UQ, socks, and tents). We briefly mention safety, group hangs, winter camping, pets, hammock ethics and additional resources. If you have any hammock questions, this is the session to get them answered.