Canoecopia - 2025 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: $17.00
3-Day: $35.00
Ages 17 and under are FREE
Cash or check only for tickets purchased at the event

Parking Fees
1-Day: $8.00
Credit only, fees collected by Alliant Energy Center
Advanced passes may be purchased HERE.
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Paddling Skills

Cynthia Cavanagh, Sue Wiley

Paddle More—A Challenge!

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

Paddling time is good time. Still, it can seem hard to find the perfect weather, the ideal water, the best time of day, and the ultimate alignment of the stars in the universe before you plan to get on the water. Time passes quickly and before you know it, your boat can remain stowed all summer.

Get ready to be on the water! Join this fast-paced presentation to see how the presenters challenged themselves to paddling every month of 2024. Learn about the preparations and planning, ... Read More

John Chase

Navigating the Seas with Nautical Charts

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

Dive into the art and science of interpreting navigation charts and learn essential tools to navigate open waters. Explore scale and symbols for accurate distance and direction measurements, and hazard identification. We will also walk through real-life scenarios to apply chart reading skills.

John Chase

Perfectly Pack your Kayak for a Multi-Day Trip

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

Loading 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

Capsize Recoveries—Which Ones Work Best?

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

Every sea kayaking instructional book has at least one chapter devoted to capsize recoveries. Which recovery method should you use in which situation? Are all recovery techniques reliable? Which rescue works best for me?

Since getting back in your kayak is a necessary skill for survival this presentation could be very helpful for a long and happy paddling career. At the end of the presentation you will have the necessary information to answer these questions for yourself and how ... Read More

Wayne Horodowich

The Art of Staying Upright in Your Kayak

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

Staying upright is far better than risking exposure and expending energy getting upright. Having a roll and/or knowing recovery techniques are important. However, if you have good paddle support skills you minimize your chance of capsizing. When the wind picks up and the water gets rough your need for support increases. In addition, you also need to be able to maneuver against that wind while the water around you is bouncing your kayak around.

Wayne Horodowich

Using Your Boat, Body And Blade For Efficient Paddling

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

Paddling a kayak is more than just taking strokes with your paddle. Kayaking is a true marriage of your boat, body and blade. All three must be working together during all aspects of kayaking to get the most out of your equipment. We will discuss body position and movements, boat positions and movements, and closely view how to properly use and manipulate your paddle to get the results you want when kayaking and get the most out of your equipment.

David Johnston

An Introduction to Tides and Currents for Freshwater Paddlers

Voyageur - Upstairs Sat 9:30am-10:15am

Does figuring out when low tide will happen during your first ocean kayak trip still get you down? That's ok, it can get confusing. This presentation will cover how tides and currents work, and how to work them into the planning of your kayak trip. Don't fret, David promises not to get bogged down into a lot of complex math.

David Johnston

Introduction to Weather for Paddlers

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

If you find yourself confused by the weird, wonderful and often windy world of weather then join us. In this clinic David will demystify where weather comes from as well teach you how to make your own daily forecasts. This is perfect for anybody looking to understand what's going on in the sky above, while paddling below.

David Johnston

Navigation 101 for Paddlers: The Art of Staying Found

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

Do you find yourself getting intimidated, confused or turned around while trying to navigate on a canoe or sea kayak trip? If so, find your way to this presentation where David will introduce you to the tips and tricks to help keep from getting misplaced. We will cover the basics of how to read the land and how to follow along via your topographic map, playing with a compass as well as what happens when things go wrong.

David Johnston

Navigation 102 for Paddlers

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

Picking up where he left off in Navigation 101, David will cover more "intermediate(ish)" navigation techniques that paddlers can use to travel confidently on their next adventure. For example, we will look at several things including how to make use of nautical charts, shooting bearings on a map or chart, using lines of position as well as tips and tricks for estimating speed and distance. You can be rest assured that we won't be getting into boring stuff like celestial navigation.

Terry Kent

Great Paddling Technique Made Easy

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

Terry will lead a discussion on how the knowledge gained from a lifetime of canoe, kayak and SUP racing can help all paddlers, from casual day trippers to dedicated adventure racers, easily improve their technique to give them more power and control in all of their strokes. Core ideas, like paddle mechanics, using core muscles, how to find the better catch and the Tahitian hinge will give you the ability to self-coach when you're paddling miles from other people. The focus will be on canoeing, ... Read More

Danny Mongno

Understanding the Forward Stroke: Efficiency Matters

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

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

Behold the Forward Stroke! It's the one we use for most often. An efficient stroke will use less energy, allowing the paddler to stay out longer, maybe go faster, and protect the joints. You can see why the forward stroke gets so much attention from students and coaches alike. Join Danny Mongno, with 30+ years of paddle sports coaching experience, 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 ... Read More

Kathy Nelson

How to Enjoy the BWCA as a Senior (ver. 2)

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

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. This is version 2.0 with new information, commentary and stories to keep you ... Read More

Stacie & Vince Sadowski

All the Bad Advice I’ve Ever Been Given: Paddling and Camping Edition

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

What is the worst advice you have ever received, and what happened? This presentation will explore common misconceptions, risky choices, and "best practices" along with personal stories to get you thinking. When "common knowledge" steers you in the wrong direction, you are in good company.
Everyone has an opinion to share on gear, shelter, food, clothing or trip planning, and some are not good. Exploring the spectrum of overpacking heavy gear to going too ultralight, discern what works ... Read More

Ken Whiting

Rough Water Paddling on Lake Superior

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

Lake Superior is one of the most beautiful paddling destinations in the world, but when the wind starts to blow it can also be one of the most challenging. In this presentation, Ken Whiting shares his action-filled, 5-day trip along the coast of Lake Superior Provincial Park, which involved heavy winds and big waves. He breaks down decision making, paddling techniques, equipment selection, and more. This is a presentation that will be entertaining and informative whether or not you ever hope to ... Read More