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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Trip Planning

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.

Trevor Braun

Preparing for a Yukon Canoe Expedition

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

Join long time Yukoner Trevor Braun to learn about preparing for a Yukon Paddling Expedition. The Yukon has many Wilderness Paddling journeys that you can choose from, to suit your level of adventure ranging from lakewater to advanced whitewater. Trevor has 30+ years of guiding and instructing paddling journeys throughout the Yukon. Learn where to paddle, what resources are available to you, and how to ensure you have the right skills and equipment.

Kevin Callan

A Paddler's Guide To Rivers of Ontario

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

Author Kevin Callan (a.k.a. The Happy Camper) will present on a number of river canoe routes across Ontario, from well known waterways like Algonquin’s Petawawa and the French to more remote rivers such as the Kopka and the Steel River.

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

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.

Joe Friedrichs, Matthew Baxley

Planning for the Unexpected in the Boundary Waters

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

Matthew Baxley and Joe Friedrichs have been sharing stories on award-winning podcasts and writing about the Boundary Waters for the past decade. In this presentation, Joe and Matthew share personal experiences and stories they’ve collected along the way where things went wrong on a trip to the Boundary Waters. Included in the powerful narrative is a near-death experience they faced on a trip to the BWCA in May 2023. Matthew and Joe will share how to plan for the unexpected on any trip to the ... Read More

Rob Kesselring

The Thrill of Discovery, You Can Do It!

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

Are you tired of planning a canoe trip to “pristine” routes only to find lines at portages, strewn litter, and the drone of civilization? It is fun reading about exploration, but even more fun exploring. Even without leaving North America, you can still find rivers and lakes with almost no record or evidence of previous travel. There is no thrill more incredible than being the first. Last summer, Rob Kesselring paddled a route in Canada’s Northwest Territories where the only evidence of ... Read More

Rob Kesselring

Ultralight Canoe Camping in the Boundary Waters

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

Paddling light does not mean deprivation. In fact, it can be just the opposite! Learn proven strategies to make your canoe trips easier, more fulfilling, and fun. Less is more! Learn how to travel farther and faster, without being encumbered by heavy loads and time-consuming set-ups. Nature is not a dangerous place; embrace it, don’t barricade from it. An entertaining, information-packed session from one of North America’s most experienced canoe guides.

Pete Marshall

How to Quetico

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

Twice the size of the Boundary Waters with only a fraction of the visitors, Quetico is a canoeist’s paradise. However, the logistics of international travel as well as an intimidating reputation keeps many would-be Quetico paddlers away. In this practical presentation, we’ll go over the nuts and bolts of how to reserve a permit and reach your entry point, what makes travel in Quetico different, highlight some iconic areas in the park, and discuss a few routes.

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.

Kathy Nelson

Top Tips for Traveling the BWCA as a Senior

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

Traveling the Boundary Waters (BWCAW) is an experience that makes lifetime memories. As a senior citizen, is this still possible? Join Kathy Nelson, co-owner of an Ely, MN, outfitter and senior-citizen wilderness traveler as she shares how to plan a successful canoe trip; what to pack, what NOT to take, how to handle limited mobility and strength concerns, best time to experience the BWCA, preferred routes, and more.

Bear Paulsen

Solo Wilderness Travel

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

Are you sick of listening to your tentmate snore? Are you tired waiting for the group to get ready? Do you talk to yourself? If you answered yes to these questions, you’re a perfect candidate for traveling solo. Bear Paulsen, General Manager of Northstar Canoes and a frequent solitary conversationalist, has done many extended solo wilderness trips in all seasons. He’ll discuss the differences between traveling with others and alone. He’ll cover how to travel solo safely and discuss logistical ... Read More

Ben Strege

Route Planning: Tips, Tricks, and Tools

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

In various wilderness paddling areas, thousands of lakes are connected by thousands of portages, with a seemingly infinite number of ways to plan a paddling route. There is never a “perfect” or “one size fits all” route. What are the many things to consider when constructing routes that match up to your group’s abilities, interests, and timeline for the most safe and enjoyable adventure possible? Ben will share his own valuable lessons learned while planning and implementing dozens of trips for ... Read More

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.