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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Storytelling/Humor

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

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.

Camper Christina

Camping With a Bear

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

Swallowing her anxiety, Christina booked her first backcountry canoe trip in Quebec, with no idea what would happen. She discovered stunning scenery, a challenging route, and a campsite inhabited by a bear, who didn’t scare easily. Find out exactly what happened on that epic adventure, during Christina’s presentation, Camping with a Bear.

Joe Friedrichs

Last Entry Point: Stories of Danger and Death in the Boundary Waters

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

Paddlers and hikers planning an excursion into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Quetico Provincial Park--that storied region along the Minnesota-Ontario border made up of rock, water, and pine--usually conjure visions of sunny days, pleasant breezes, and starry nights. Though every guidebook advises being prepared, most adventurers escaping to these remote areas assume that all will be well. But even those who are thoroughly prepared may still encounter the unexpected. And in ... Read More

Nathaniel Gueltzau

Surviving the Distance: A Veteran's Journey through Long-Distance Paddling

Voyageur - Upstairs Sat 2:30pm-3:15pm

Join Nate, an Army veteran and long-distance paddler, as he shares his personal journey of endurance, resilience, and survival on the water. As a bigger guy, Nate brings a unique perspective to the world of long-distance paddling, tackling not only the physical challenges but also the mental and emotional hurdles that come with pushing through the limits of what the body and mind can endure. Along with a sense of humor!

In this presentation, Nate will recount his experiences ... Read More

Anthea Halpryn, James Tracy, Christine Chabot

When a Good Trip Goes Wrong

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

In May 2022, three friends embarked on an exciting kayak camping adventure along the Upper Iowa River, 126 miles from Lime Springs, IA to Lansing, IA. After extensive planning and preparation, equipped with the necessary gear and a shared enthusiasm for adventure, they were ready for a memorable journey. However, as often happens in outdoor excursions, a series of events unfolded, leading to challenges that transformed the adventure into a series of unfortunate events, culminating in a dramatic ... Read More

Cliff Jacobson

My Last Picture Show: Remembering a Lifetime of Canoeing Wild Rivers

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

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

Cliff discovered canoes at the age of 12, in a rustic Scout camp set deep in the Michigan woods. He became hooked on the wild outdoors, and by age 14, he had read every book in print on wilderness travel. He went camping (with friends or alone) nearly every weekend. When he got bored in school, he drew pictures of canoes, tents, knives, rifles and axes in his notebook. Cliff kept doing and learning. He discovered that many of the camping procedures he'd read about in books were wrong. If you've ... Read More

David Johnston

The Weird History of Sea Kayaking

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

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

Did you know that Pope John Paul II was an avid kayaker? What happened to the prisoners who built that kayak and escaped from San Quentin Prison?

Come join David Johnston as he explores the fascinating history of modern sea kayaking in North America and along the way we will discover the humble origins of the sport and learn about why the Great Lakes were the centre of the kayaking universe for nearly fifteen years starting in the mid-80's.

Kyle Parker

Keep on Stroking… The Wisconsin River

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

Get behind the paddle with Kyle Parker as he sets a record for the fastest known time solo canoeing the entire Wisconsin River. Despite overwhelming support and skepticism from friends and family, he is determined to succeed, pushing through countless physical and mental challenges. Throughout months of preparation and training, he faces fatigue, loneliness, harsh weather, and equipment issues, but his unwavering focus and the support of his close friend, Dylan, help him persevere. Along the ... Read More

John Stofflet

The Pace of the Paddle: How Kayaking Preserved a News Anchor's Sanity

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

For much of his life, John Stofflet didn't pursue his dream of owning a kayak. His doubting side told him he was too busy, not fit enough, not able to figure out how to safely transport a kayak on his roof, not "outdoorsy enough" to pull it all off. Then, about 10 years ago during a life transition, and while constantly dealing with the daily stress of working as a tv news anchor, Stofflet decided it was time to do what he had always dreamed of-start exploring our beautiful area at the pace ... Read More