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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Trips/Places - Canada

Kevin Callan

A Mystery Canoe Trip to Remote Opasquia Park

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

Kevin and his buddy Andy had two weeks, three packs, a barrel full of dehydrated food and two litres of whisky. Two old guys that just turned 60 couldn't be happier. Opasquia is located in the far northern corner of Ontario, hugging the Manitoba border, and measures approximately 1,170,000 acres in size. It's also darn remote-it took a bush plane two and a half hours to fly the 150 miles north and flying is the only way to get there. Forest fires burned around them and the first six days they ... Read More

Kevin Callan

The Happy Camper's Ultimate Top Ten Canoe Trips

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

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

Author Kevin Callan will present on his top ten - ultimate - canoe trips he has done over decades of paddling. Check out his favourite places he's paddled and portaged - from places across the province of Ontario, to northern Quebec, to the highlands of Scotland, and to the interior of eastern Canada's Nova Scotia.

Camper Christina

Camper Christina Capsizes

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

After 6 hours of canoe tripping, in a remote area of Quebec, it happened! There she was, all alone, yelling out instructions to herself like a drill sergeant. The canoe was filling up with water, her paddle was about to shoot down the rapids, and she fumbled to grasp her rapidly sinking phone. How did she get there? What happened next? Find out during Christina's presentation, Camper Christina Capsizes.

Vernon Fish

Explore the Wabakimi Area

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

The Wabakimi Area is a vast, virtually roadless wilderness the size of Vermont (9,934 sq miles) located three hours north of Thunder Bay, Ontario. It can be accessed by more than 4,000 miles of historically and culturally significate canoe routes. Learn how you can access this huge network of rivers and lakes and help the Friends of Wabakimi protect its wilderness values.

Zach Fritz

The Route Less Paddled: A 4,400km Canoe Expedition from Minnesota to the Arctic Ocean

Bear - upstairs Sun 2:30pm-3:15pm

In the summer of 2024, Zach Fritz and Taylor Rau spent 106 days paddling over 4,400 km from Zach's family's hunting cabin in northern Minnesota to the Arctic Ocean in the Far North of Canada. A lifelong dream for Zach that was years in the making, they traveled through some of the most remote places left in North America. Facing lakes hundreds of miles long, unfathomable swarms of bugs, relentless weather, and wild rivers, they left the "real world" behind for the adventure of a lifetime. With ... Read More

David Johnston

Ancient Finds of Lake Superior

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

If you know where to look, the Lake Superior shoreline is filled with both ancient and old finds for you to discover. The hard part is that you can easily paddle right by, not knowing about what you just missed. In this presentation, David will introduce you to some of the cool stuff out there including pictographs, Pukaskwa Pits, voyageur trading posts, shipwrecks, trainwrecks and ghost towns. He will also cover places to start your research so you can discover them on your own journeys.

David Johnston

Best Paddling Trips of the Canadian Side of Lake Superior

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

The Canadian side of Lake Superior has 1,549 miles of wilderness shoreline for you to paddle but like every good fishing hole, many of the routes are kept kind of secret. David's been paddling on Lake Superior for almost 25 years and that's all going to change as he's spilling the beans on where to go, how to get there, what you'll see and what makes that route...superior. This will be appealing for both beginners and experienced campers alike.

Zack Kruzins

The Forgotten Canadian Coast: Lake Superior's True Northern Island Paddlers Paradise

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

In this talk we will explore the human and natural history of the past, present, and future of the Canadian north shore of Lake Superior. Zack explains how his 50 day sea kayak research expedition here inspired a lifelong love and connection to the area. We will focus on the idea of slow travel by watercraft as a unique way to experience the region, gain an appreciation and zest for life and a desire to protect this special place.

Peter Marshall

How to Quetico

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

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

Larger than 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.

Taylor Pace

Above the Arctic Circle—The Anderson River

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

In July, 2024, Taylor led an Exploratory Trip on the remote Upper Anderson River, Northwest Territories, which flows in a north-westerly direction from Colville Lake to Liverpool Bay and the Beaufort Sea east of Tuktoyaktuk. This is one of the most remote northern rivers in mainland Canada and only accessible by floatplane. The taiga forest dominated the first few days of the trip - a bull moose strutted across the river and a barren-ground grizzly was startled during an evening hike. At Eagle, ... Read More

Kate Prince, Vern Fish

Paddling for Boreal Caribou: Canoeing, Citizen Science, and Conservation in Wabakimi

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

Friends of Wabakimi will launch the second year of the Wabakimi Boreal Caribou Citizen Monitoring Project this summer, a unique initiative that combines canoe tripping with citizen science to support conservation of at-risk boreal caribou in Northern Ontario's Wabakimi Area. Kate Prince will share captivating photos, videos, and firsthand accounts from volunteers, highlighting the activities and achievements of Year 1. Learn how you can contribute as a paddler-whether by joining a survey trip ... Read More

Constance Simes

Solo Circumnavigation of Lake Superior via Sea Kayak

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

Constance's solo circumnavigation of Lake Superior is a remarkable feat of endurance, determination and passion for adventure. In her daring 57 day expedition, she embarked on a journey paddling the world's largest freshwater lake, covering nearly 1,200 miles of rugged shoreline, navigating through impenetrable fog and dramatically changing water conditions. Along the way, she paddled past towering cliffs, picturesque lighthouses, through majestic sea caves and across pristine waters, ... Read More

Danielle Steffey, Tim Gallaway

Make the Time

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

"Make the Time" is a film that follows two friends on a canoe trip through Canada's backcountry, beginning and ending at Lake Missinaibi. The story is filled with stunning landscapes, laughter, and moments of personal challenge. Embark on an unforgettable journey with Danielle and Tim as they paddle across pristine lakes and navigate twenty portages, including one uniquely by train! It's a heartfelt reminder to make time for adventure, friendship, and what truly matters.

Pete Swiggum

Quetico Provincial Park: Your Next Canoe Trip

Caribou - upstairs Sat 11:30am-12:15pm

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

Quetico Provincial Park is a fabulous canoeing destination located adjacent to the Boundary Waters, but just over the international border in Ontario, Canada. Quetico has lakes, portages and over 2,000 campsites scattered over it's one million acres. And with annual visitors numbering only 10% of the number who visit the BWCA, Quetico paddlers get a fantastic wilderness experience filled with solitude and great fishing. It's not uncommon to go several days without seeing another ... Read More

Richard Williamson

Experience the Alaska Highway!

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

The Alaska Highway is an iconic drive through the northern wilderness areas of British Columbia, the Yukon, and eastern Alaska. This epic adventure can begin almost anywhere and the fun begins with figuring out how you want to arrive in Dawson Creek, BC to begin this portion of your drive. Endless mountain vistas, glaciers, waterfalls, and frequent wildlife sightings are the hallmarks of this trip. Activities along the way include hiking, fishing, photography, history, and thermal hot springs. ... Read More