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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Beginner Friendly

John Bates

A Far Side To Birding

Algonquin - main floor Sat 11:30am-12:15pm

Birds! Their evolution, natural selection, population dynamics, adaptations, reproductive strategies, behaviors, migration, management - here’s Birding 101 in 45 minutes through the comic lens of Far Side cartoons. Laugh your way to enriching a paddling adventure by knowing more about the birds you’ll see and hear on the water and along the shores.

John Bates

Paddling Northern Wisconsin’s Undeveloped Wild Lakes: A Baker’s Dozen of the Best

Superior - main floor Sun 11:30am-12:15pm

Paddling a wild lake offers a peace that’s hard to find, as well as an insight into the native plant and animal communities that live in, on, and around our lakes. We’ll explore the ecological and aesthetic keynotes of some of the best lakes in northern Wisconsin for you to consider paddling.

Timothy Bauer

Adrift in the Driftless

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

Superior - main floor Sun 2:30pm-3:15pm

Hidden in the middle of the Upper Midwest lies an area that is home to cliffs, caves, sinkholes, natural springs, breathing hills, crystal clear trout streams, rare rattlesnakes, bald eagles galore, goat prairies, Native American effigy mounds, Amish horse and buggies, and rock outcrops half a billion years old. Bigger than Vermont and New Hampshire combined, it's called the Driftless Area, a unique ecological anomaly that the glaciers missed during the last Ice Age. It also comprises some of ... Read More

Timothy Bauer

Mistakes Were Made

Superior - main floor Sat 11:30am-12:15pm

Ever paddle down to a bridge and realize that you left your form of transportation at a different bridge - or at a wholly different river? Ever leave your boat at a bridge, run the shuttle, and discover that someone had stolen your boat in the meantime? Yeah, us neither. But ask Timothy, and that’s another story - several stories, actually. If tragedy plus time equals comedy, come be regaled by a smorgasbord of schadenfreude as Timothy shares his “pro” tips on what NOT to do while paddling in ... 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

Kevin Callan

Happy Camper Canoe Tripping Tips and Tricks

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

Kevin Callan (a.k.a. The Happy Camper) will present on a number of tips and tricks he’s learned over the years of canoe tripping in the wilderness. Kevin will touch on: staying warm and dry, making a one-match fire, having a lighter pack, portage etiquette, choosing a good campsite, making a good camp meal, proper canoe strokes, navigation, dealing with bugs and bears, first-aid, how to make a good bush martini... and many, many more. If you’re a novice or an experienced tripper, you’ll ... Read More

Kevin Callan, Mona Gauthier, Marty Koch

The Aluminum Chef Competition

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

Once again, our three Aluminum Chefs will test their camp culinary skills against each other in true outdoor style. Kevin Callan returns as our unstoppable emcee in this fast-paced event. Woods-woman Mona Gauthier and former park ranger Marty Koch go up against local chef Luke Zahm of the Driftless Cafe in Viroqua, WI. Using MSR stoves and cook kits and a pantry of simple ingredients you might have on your next camping trip, our chefs will compete for the best appetizer, entree, and dessert. ... Read More

John Chase

5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I Started Kayaking

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

It sounds easy...buy a boat, put it in the water, start paddling. Let’s talk about what you need and what you don’t to make your first or 50th day on the water full of smiles. Come to this safe space where we’ll explore all those questions that you’ve been afraid to ask but need to know.

John Chase

Power to the Paddle: Exercises to Improve Your Paddling

Atrium - upstairs Sun 11:30am-12:15pm

Get ready to move in this fun, hands-on session where you’ll learn and practice functional exercises to help you paddle longer, faster, and stronger. Learn simple exercises requiring little or no equipment that will make you a better paddler, build endurance, and prevent injury.

Al & Marsha Fairfield

Sylvania, the evolution of an accessible wilderness area

Sylvania - main floor Sat 11:30am-12:15pm

Sylvania is an easily accessible wilderness area that has evolved dramatically over time. From virgin timber to the Sylvania Club, public purchase, wilderness designation, court rulings, COVID, and beyond. Discover its colorful history and learn how you can explore one of our favorite places while being good stewards to preserve it.

Paula Furlich, Sue Sullivan, Mona Gauthier

Never Underestimate a Woman with a Paddle

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

The border route in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wildness hugs the Minnesota-Canada Border. It covers over 194 miles of paddling and 24 miles of portages. Follow the three adventurous women who traveled this route from the westernmost entry point at Crane Lake to the easternmost point at South Fowl and then paddled up the Pigeon River up to Fort Charlotte to hike the Grand Portage Trail. Learn about the route they took, the challenges they faced, the gear they brought, the food they ate, how ... Read More

Cliff Jacobson

Bug-Proofing Your Camp

Quetico - main floor Fri 5:30pm-6:15pm

If you want to get eaten alive by bugs, go to the Canadian Arctic in June. The black flies and mosquitoes which live there weigh more than ten times as much as all the plants and animals put together! An acre of swarming bugs could drain all your blood in about three days! Last year, the bugs in the BWCA were the worst in decades! We’ll check out “your enemies”- and learn how to resist them with repellents, insecticides, head and body nets, specialized clothing and “attitude.” Recommendations ... Read More

Cliff Jacobson, Kevin Callan, Pete Marshall, Rob Kesselring

Q&A With the Experts

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

Got questions about canoeing and camping? Join Cliff Jacobson, Rob Kesselring, Kevin Callan, and Peter Marshall in this lively, fun-filled panel discussion. Together, these experts have more than 200 years of collective outdoors experience, so they really know their stuff. Last year’s panel was filled to overflowing, so come early if you want a seat. Submit questions beforehand to chloem@rutabaga.com with subject line: EXPERT Q&A. These experts will do the rest.

Mary Langlie

Fitness for Paddlers

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

This is an opportunity to stretch your legs and arms and reenergize after walking around at Canoecopia. Come learn some new exercises and learn how to be ready to paddle as soon as you can get on the water. Join other paddlers of all ages and get set to have fun and make new friends while developing a plan that you can implement at home. No gym membership needed, and all ages are welcome!

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

Pete Marshall

5 Musts for Rookie Boundary Waters Paddlers

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

Whether you’re thinking of paddling the Boundary Waters for the first time or want to introduce someone to this special place, this presentation will cover five essential things to do to ensure that you and others have the kind of trip that leaves you wanting more. We’ll discuss how to plan your days, what kind of activities to include, coping with common fears (bears and weather!), and more.

Danny Mongno

The Forward Stroke- sit down or stand up, let's be Efficient.

Atrium - upstairs Sun 10:30am-11:15am

To enjoy the sport of paddling, we need an efficient forward stroke. We want to use less energy, stay out longer, maybe go faster, not be sore. So, it makes sense that the forward stroke gets so much attention from students and coaches. Join Danny, who has 12 Door County Sea Kayak Symposiums as a coach under his belt, as he breaks things down in a very easy-to-follow, step-by-step process. This is an interactive class, so be ready to participate and have fun. To wrap things up, Danny will send ... Read More

Ginny Nelson

BWCA Planning & Tips for a Successful Trip

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

The Boundary Waters (BWCAW) of northern Minnesota draws over 150,000 people to experience a wilderness adventure with paddling, camping, portaging, beautiful sunsets, and so much more. Planning and packing is crucial for a successful and memorable trip. Join Ginny Nelson, outfitter/manager from Ely, MN, as she provides what you need to know about permit details, what route to take, what to pack, what NOT to take, items to keep you safe, and stories to keep you entertained.

Jared Wold

A Tour of Wisconsin's Wonderful Rivers

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

This presentation will be a whirlwind tour of an important part of Wisconsin’s geography - its many river systems. From deeper dives into commonly paddled rivers such as the Wisconsin, Kickapoo, Black, Chippewa, Wolf, and Fox to fun facts such as how many rivers have the word “little” in their names, attendees will gain a new appreciation for the sheer diversity Wisconsin offers moving-water paddlers. Attendees will hopefully discover new river-paddling options whether they are interested in ... Read More

Jared Wold

Kayak Angling for River Smallmouth

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

This presentation will help attendees get a start in river fishing for smallmouth bass out of a kayak. Attendees will learn how to choose a kayak, other gear, and appropriate tackle for targeting fish in moving water. Lures and other terminal tackle will be discussed along with techniques for casting and presentation. Techniques for safer maneuvering and positioning a kayak in moving water will also be covered. Lastly, attendees will learn some tips and tricks for planning safe, enjoyable days ... Read More