CANOECOPIA SHOW GUIDE
Transcription
CANOECOPIA SHOW GUIDE
WORLD’S LARGEST PADDLESPORT SHOW BEST PRICES, BEST SELECTION 88 AMAZING SPEAKERS OVER 110 PRESENTATIONS CANOECOPIA SHOW GUIDE Rutabaga Paddlesports presents the March 7–9, 2014 Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wisconsin –INSIDE– What’s new in paddlesports? Stand up paddling events Why fish from the shore? Stories from our staff Stand up paddling, for one Go kayak fishing! canoecopia.com Races, instruction, and more What paddling means to us SHARE YOUR LOVE OF PADDLING Who is a paddler? How about you? Take a friend paddling It’s easier than you think The student becomes the teacher An instructor’s perspective SPONSORED BY PRESENTED BY CONTENTS Canoecopia 2014 Presented by Rutabaga Paddlesports March 7-9, 2014 Alliant Energy Center www.canoecopia.com What’s New Welcome 8 4 Rutabaga and Canoecopia 4 Welcome from Darren Lessons Learned on Shore Explaining how we’re one and the same 5 Getting the most out of the show Cool stuff abounds in ‘14 Planning your trip, how to buy a boat, layaway polices, trade-ins, etc. See the updates from Werner, Yakima, Thule, NRS and more. On the cover 65 Evangelize Paddling Paddling is cool! Tips on how to share your love of it. 6 The making of Canoecopia We give a glimpse into how it’s done 12 Take people paddling tips More on 23, 33, 46, 68, 71 10 What’s SUP (Stand up paddleboards) 16 Kayak Fishing 24 SUP Events 26 Speakers and topics So much amazing info. 7 Sponsor’s Message Sierra Club 73 Exhibitor and vendor listing. The most current list as we go to print What’s New 8 Kayaks, Camping Gear, Racks, Paddles… We’ve got the best new gear at the best prices of the season 10 Stand up paddling (SUP) Boards from BIC, BOTE, Riviera, and C4 Waterman. Plus paddles and a PFD 62 Trip leader tips for one 16 Kayak Fishing 74 Who is a paddler? Features Work great for groups too. Well, how about you? Featured Things to help you land the big one 23 R.I.P. Royalex 58 60 62 65 66 68 70 58 Student to teacher and back to student A look at what teaching is like from an instructor’s perspective. Royalex will go out of production. What then? Becoming a kayak instructor Interesting uncle strikes again! Being a good solo trip leader Evangelize paddling Memories etched in hulls and dust Sunday is Fun-day! Kayak support during Ironman WI Is your paddling partner an Ironman athlete? 74 Who is a paddler? You. That’s who Outdoor Programs 24 Stand Up Paddling SUP days are June 14-15 The Canoecopia Show Guide is published by Rutabaga Paddlesports, LLC, Darren Bush, Owner and Executive Editor. Managing Editor: Jim Pippitt, Editors: Catherine Pippitt & Nancy Saulsbury. Photography by Woody Osborne, Jim & Darren. Cover photo by Dave Morlock. Canoecopia is the kick-off to the paddling year. It features the best prices of the season, the best speakers in the country, awesome representatives from fantastic places to paddle & travel, amazing pool demonstrations, and is packed with good-looking, sensitive, reasonable people. Just like you. It is held every year at the Alliant Energy Center, in Madison, Wisconsin. This year’s show will be from March 7-9, 2014. Details on everything (as well as the most up-todate information) can be found on-line at www.canoecopia.com. 50Welcome Who are we? What do we do? Why take a class? 54 Door County Sea Kayak Symposium 11th Annual summer camp for adults is July 11-13, 2014 Speakers & Presentations 26 Speakers and topics 89 presenters giving over 110 demonstrations and talks. 37 Presentation pull-out 38 Speaker Schedule Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 3 WELCOME Darren Bush | Owner, Chief Paddling Evangelist Lessons learned while on shore Sometimes you see your karmic waves better out of your boat THE first part of 2013 was tough on me, as a neck injury kept me sidelined for a good part of the summer. While I wouldn’t wish a C6/ C7 disk bulge on anyone, in a small way it taught me a good lesson. Everyone knows that I love paddling. Now that I’m pain-free, I’m more than ready to get some water under my hull. I’m packing for a late fall solo canoe trip, and my biggest problem is selecting which boat I want to take. Yep. That’s my biggest problem, which means I don’t have a problem. But… this summer I learned that there’s a thing I love more than paddling, and that’s getting a person who has never paddled before in a “They both smiled, embraced me and said, ‘You changed our lives, you know.’” canoe, kayak, or SUP board. Since I’m the Chief Paddling Evangelist, not the Chief Paddler, this sort of makes sense. It’s hard to describe the feeling I get when I see someone go from non-paddler to paddler. The looks on their faces are beautiful and they positively radiate joy. That changed, joyous expression doesn’t fade. A few weeks ago I was shown just how long “the look” can last. I was in my office when I was paged. “There’s a couple here to see you. They said they bought boats from you twenty years ago.” I went upstairs and saw a couple of beaming faces, familiar but a little more weathered. “You don’t remember us, but you sold us our first kayaks.” I saw the kayaks on their car, and instantly remembered. They were twenty years old, and well used. They recited all the places they had paddled; Alaska, Baja, Lake Tanganyika and a dozen other locations I can’t recall. They had literally paddled all over the world. They both smiled, embraced me and said, “You changed our lives, you know.” I responded that they changed their own lives, but she countered, “We couldn’t have done it without you.” That’s why I do what I do. Welcome to Canoecopia 2014. It’s my hope that you find the equipment you need to take you to that next step. If you’re new to paddling, please come find me. I want to see your face when you sit in the boat that will take you to places that will change your life. Happy paddling, Rutabaga and Canoecopia What’s the relationship between you guys, anyway? “WHERE’S the Rutabaga booth?” We get asked that question all the time at the Customer Service booth. We normally have two or three booths with Rutabaga-branded stuff in them, but the nearly-true and overlyflippant answer is that “It’s all the Rutabaga booth.” Rutabaga hosts the huge paddlers rendezvous that over 25 years ago started in an old grocery store on Park Street. Back then we called it “Meet the Folks who Build the Boats.” After a while we moved it to the Dane County Fairgrounds, then in 1995 to the magnificent Alliant Energy Center. We knew early on we couldn’t keep calling it that silly, strange name so we came up with Canoecopia. It’s a blend of canoe and cornucopia, bringing to mind the crossing of a horn of plenty with paddlesport goodness. It’s something that only a store willing to call itself Rutabaga (a word that has nothing to do with paddling and everything to do with a Frank Zappa song) would be willing to do. ? canoecopia Over the years it has turned in to a trade show, an educational symposium, a rendezvous, and a family reunion. It really is like nothing else, and we (Rutabaga staffers current and past) are incredibly proud of presenting. Canoecopia is where Rutabaga is at our best, bringing the joy of paddling to our new and old friends. Welcome, or welcome back. Yes, the speakers and exhibitors and outfitters and everything else is cool. Lots of you attend just for the education. But on top of all that... Everything is on sale! * At Canoecopia you’ll find the best selection at the best prices of the season. On Sale.indd 1 4 | Everythiing Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 * Ok, almost everything 1/20/2014 2:55:04 PM WELCOME Getting the most out of Canoecopia Tips & tricks for navigating the World’s Largest Paddlesport Expo compiled by the ‘Baga Staff Plan ahead and walk the entire show floor Read this publication thoroughly. It will give you a good idea of things to see, people to talk to, and presentations to attend. Attend all three days There’s a reason we sell three-day passes. There’s so much to see and so many people to talk to. You’ll find it virtually impossible to do in one day, dashed difficult in two, but a pleasure in three. Sunday is Fun-day If you’re only going to attend one day, consider coming Sunday. We’re going to have some fun giveaways and little goodies. The crowds are a little lighter so you can see the show more easily and efficiently. Some of our best speakers and topics are reserved for Sunday. We’ve got a few more fun things that we’re planning on debuting, too. (See pg. 68) Ask a lot of questions Every major manufacturer in the paddlesports industry will be there. They are eager to help! Ask them what makes their product best for your needs. Shop early for the best selections We’ll have plenty of options, but just like Black Friday, show specials can go quickly. Take care of your body! Wear comfortable shoes and bring an extra pair of socks. Bring a water bottle and stay hydrated. Get a map from the info booth and highlight your plan. Shoulders tired? Take advantage of our tote bag check when you’re tired of carrying heavy items. Ordering the things you didn’t find If your heart is set on something special, no problem. Each vendor will have special order forms to fill in the details. Present the form when checking out at the Main Register for accessories or Boat Registers for boats and trailers. Buying A Boat? Here’s a time-tested strategy for buying a boat at Canoecopia: Sit in a lot of boats Canoecopia offers an opportunity to sit in hundreds of models under one roof. Make sure to adjust the seat properly and take your time. Think about how you’re getting your boat home. If you’re taking a boat home, we can install your roof rack purchases. Didn’t plan on taking a boat home but want one anyway? We’ll put your boat on Layaway and you can pick it up at the shop until May 31st. We just need a third of the purchase price or $500, whichever is greater. Want a boat, but cannot decide by the close of Canoecopia? Stop by a Boat Register before you leave. A $500 General Boat Deposit will rain-check the Canoecopia pricing on a boat through May 31st. Get your accessories at the show, though. Best prices, best selection. Trying out boats Rutabaga’s Layaway or General Boat Deposit gives you an opportunity to test paddle. Rutabaga’s test paddling begins around April 15th. Call Rutabaga to confirm. Used Boat trade-ins Trade-in your boat at Canoecopia. Please ask for details at the Boat Pick-up booth or call us at Rutabaga prior to Canoecopia. PROBLEMS? QUESTIONS? Our guiding philosophy has always been, “We promise to be honorable. You promise to be reasonable.” Everything we do is informed by that. We want you to be satisfied before you leave. If something goes awry, we want to know about it. Go to the customer service desk. We’re never too busy to listen, learn, and, where possible, improve. If you would prefer to do it via e-mail (after the show), the address to use is customerservice@rutabaga.com. Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 5 WELCOME The Making of Canoecopia We pull back the year-long, in-the-making “stage curtain” WE are often asked, “Who plans Canoecopia and when do you start?” The answer – it’s a Rutabaga staff team effort and a year-round process. Here’s an idea, let’s backtrack: The Day After Canoecopia We sleep, paddle, or both. It’s an official Rutabaga Holiday. The Week After Canoecopia The store is essentially emptied of everything during Canoecopia, so it all has to be put back together. It’s kind of like watching a tornado in reverse. Reams of paperwork and custom orders are processed. We debrief and start reviewing feedback to make improvements for next year. April 15 Test paddling starts! All those Canoecopians waiting to try out their boats descend upon Rutabaga. By now, the store is ready for the paddling season. May – July We take a break from show planning and launch into our Summer season. September and October We furiously write orders for product delivery between January and March 1. We invite exhibitors and newly-discovered manufacturers to attend. Speaker proposals are received and reviewed to create the right balance of returning/new speakers and a wide range of topics. November Time to iron out details. Security, communication, and childcare is arranged. The floor plan and speaker schedule are full and we start a waiting list. December The Canoecopia Show Guide begins to take shape. We begin recruiting workers for the weekend; we couldn’t do Canoecopia without them. January We solidify details with the Alliant Energy Center (AEC), down to the number of tables and chairs. Orders are still being written. February Canoecopia Show Guide mails to 50,000 people. The Canoecopia website goes live with August content for vendors, exhibitors, and speakers. We attend the Outdoor Retailer Summer Mar- Product streams in, via freight or UPS, to the ket where we work tirelessly to find new prod- store daily. We receive, tag and repack product ucts from the most innovative companies. The into two semi-trailers. We confirm workers’ meetings start. We begin to invite vendors to schedules. We drag out our 35 mothballed return. With a full show, we need to plan every computers and get them ready for their three square foot carefully. We begin readying the days of fame. Canoecopia website and updating it with the latest information. We start defining the layout Wednesday before Canoecopia templates we will use. Rutabaga closes the shop for a week as we pack final product and tear apart the store. Darren Bush, the owner, chats about paddling with Larry Meiller on Public Radio. Rental trucks are loaded with fixtures, carpeting, signs, and more. The computer backbone is finally disassembled. Thursday Before Canoecopia Rutabaga moves to the AEC. Semi-trailers are unloaded. Non-stop trailer loads of canoes and kayaks arrive. Vendors begin setting up their booths. By late afternoon the computer network has awakened. Friday Morning of Canoecopia The AEC is bustling with activity. Exhibitors and vendors are checking in, misplaced boxes are finally found, last-minute booth setup is finished, and a crash course is given to weekend workers. Friday at 4:00pm thru Sunday at 5:00pm It’s showtime! (This is the easy part.) Sunday Night We have ~5 hours to vacate the AEC. It’s intense as we pack up the entire show. Around 11:00 p.m., our planning staff meets at Angelo’s to eat huge amounts of very good pizza. Darren offers heartfelt thanks and gratitude for his amazing staff. After the celebration, with stiff legs, we stagger home to dream about next year’s show. That’s how it’s been done for 30 years, and every year it seems easier. SAVE THE DATES! We want to see you in the years to come, too! Canoecopia will be held at the Alliant Energy Center for the foreseeable future. We’ve got it reserved for: March 13-15, 2015 March 11-13, 2016 March 10-12, 2017 6 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 March 9-11, 2018 SPONSOR’S MESSAGE Beauty and bread Canoecopia would not be possible without the invaluable sponsorship of the Sierra Club “EVERYBODY needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” —John Muir I have baker friends who can make the most amazing bread, both professionally and as amateurs. My wife makes a pretty dang good loaf of whole wheat, judging by how fast it disappears. Give my son a hot loaf, a stick of butter, and fifteen minutes and both will vanish. But we need beauty too. Pick up a Sierra Magazine and look inside; the photography will inspire you and feed you a little beauty. In the best of all possible worlds, it will inspire you to get outside and get into some three-dimensional beauty. You can’t smell pines on the page, but you can see them — go outside and smell them, there. Once again Rutabaga Paddlesports is happy to welcome Sierra Magazine as a Canoecopia sponsor. Their assistance has been invaluable, and various Sierra Clubs in the area help us too. They all want the same thing we do; to get into nature to heal, and give strength to our bodies and our souls. FARMING FOR BEAR BILE I 150 WILD TRIPS I WARREN BUFFETT’S DIRTY HABIT SIERRA READERS LOVE TO PADDLE! E x p l o r e, E n j o y, a n d P r o t e c t t h e P l a n e t 26% Own a canoe 17% Own a kayak PROTECT 25% Whitewater 29% Tour 77% Recreation 35% Long Weekend 71% Local Day Trips 19% Expedition of 5 days or more 34% Wear paddling-specific clothing 45% Fish from a canoe or kayak & PADDLE OZARKS RIVER GUARDIANS GO ELBOWS DEEP KNOCKED AROUND BY THE AILING RIO GRANDE THE MAN WHO LOVES THE LOS ANGELES RIVER $ 3.95 M AY/J U N E 2013 THE M AGA ZINE OF THE SIERR A CLUB SIERRA is committed to help grow the paddling sport community. The Sierra Club and its one million + members have been paddling, fishing and protecting our waterways for more than 100 years. We encourage our members to explore and enjoy the waterways by providing paddling clinics and trips nationwide through our Sierra Club Outings program. Sierra has regular paddling features, reviews the latest in paddling gear, and publishes an Annual Paddling Issue every spring. For more information contact kristi@rummelmedia.com Stop by our booth N10 for some free stuff! · Copy of SIERRA’s Annual Outings Adventure Travel Issue. · Wisconsin Sierra Club river touring trip listing. · Daily raffle. Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 7 WHAT’S NEW EVERY AUGUST our product buyers attend trade shows all over the country to see what’s the newest, best, and coolest. It’s an exciting time, and we have a hard time keeping our enthusiasm to ourselves. This is the first chance we get to showcase some of the stuff we saw last summer and fall. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but here’s a good sampling. We think you’ll like what’s new too. Werner Ovation MPowered Luci Outdoor Lantern The Werner Ovation is sort of a hymn to the lightness of kayak touring. It’s light. Crazy light. The straight shaft is 20 oz. and the bent is only 22.75 oz. It has the strange feeling of almost trying to lift off your hand. It paddles beautifully too. It takes the proven design of the Kaliste (itself a refinement of the Camano) and adds razor-thin blade edges, foam core, and a smoothed back which make for a silent entry and release that feels like it is almost springing out of the water. Note: the Ovation is unreservedly optimized to be lightweight. It should be used for touring applications. Werner cautions that they don’t intend it to be used in the surf zone or in extreme conditions. It’s plenty strong enough for its intended use but requires a deft hand. Ogres and teenaged boys are cautioned to tread more lightly than normal. The Luci outdoor lantern is unbelieveably cool. It’s a solar-powered LED light. It can shrink down to just above nothing, then is inflated as shown for lighting up the world around you. Perfect for camping trips because you don’t need to ask your minder/ partner/spouse “Umm... Where are the new batteries?” and also a heck of a good thing to have in times of emergencies or natural disasters. Just leave it out to charge during the day and you’ll get up to 8 hours of light when you need it. Luci can be a good low-cost lighting source for those who live off the grid, too. Like we said, unbelieveably cool. Venture Kayaks Islay 12 & 12 LV One of our staff’s favorite short touring kayaks (the Venture Islay 14) just got a little brother and sister: the 12 and 12 LV. They are perfect for smaller lakes and rivers. The standard 12 is rated to paddlers up to 250 lbs., while the LV is good for someone up to 170 lbs. The LV was tweaked with a narrower (24 in.) beam 8 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 and a lower deck. Venture’s Islay 12 series offers a nice combination of speed, efficiency, and liveliness on the water. Retractable skeg, adjustable thigh braces and stern bulkhead and hatch are standard on both models. Venture also has an optional “skudder” skeg-rudder system that gives you the benefits of both. Thule Portage Bracket Thule’s new Portage Bracket replaces their venerable 579XT Canoe Carrier. That was a favorite around here except for one little thing: it only fit on Thule’s square bar system. Well... the world has become a little more forgiving of everyone else’s crossbars. The new Portage Bracket uses their FlipFit mounting to attach to most any rack system out there. Thule rounded off the whole back of the bracket to help loads slide over the lip which makes loading your beloved 80-pound canoe that much easier at the end of a long day. Includes two hull straps and bow-stern attachement. WHAT’S NEW Wilderness Systems Focus Series The Focus series brings a sporty, fast, straight-tracking hull that’s meant to be a versatile craft for day trips and even weekend excursions. The boats come in three sizes, 14' 5", 15' and 15' 6". The Phase 3 Air Pro XP seat outfitting will give you great all-day comfort. It’s easy to adjust it (and re-adjust should it be necessary later on) to fit your body. Air Pro venting keeps air flowing through your seat, for more comfort. The Wilderness Systems Focus series was built with an eye towards speed. They’re on the narrower side, like most performance hulls, with a 22.25" to 23.25" beam. W.S. claims it was designed with the HullHound is this pair intermediate paddler in mind, but we’ve seen lots of adventurous beginners be happy with these kinds of boats as well. If you’re willing to spend a little time getting used to what the boat is telling you (or perhaps take a Rutabaga Outdoor Programs class), you’d have a kayak that would grow with you as you rack up the miles. SweetRoll has both sets Yakima SweetRoll & HullHound The SweetRoll is what you get when you let the Yakima’s EvenKeel court and marry their HullyRoller: they end up making some super-awesome kids that set the kayaking world afire. Two of the mounts have integrated rollers to help you load up after a long day on the water, but then have a nice large surface area to better support your boat. The wing-shaped surface will hug and protect both arched and V-hulls. They even found a way to make it a tool-free installation so you won’t have to go diving for that set of tools or snap-arounds when you want to get rolling. Includes bow and stern straps, too. They’re engineered to fit on virtually every bar out there: round, square, factory, or aerodynamic. That’s Sweet. Now get out there and Roll. A PA S S I O N TO PA D D L E The HullHound is the half-brother of the SweetRoll. It’s the front mount, sold as a pair. You see, not everyone needs the rolling capability, or they might want to mix and match with other kayak mounts. The HullHound comes with one strap for the bow or stern. Get two and you’re ready to hit the road and then the water. Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 9 WHAT’S NEW — SUP WHY SUP (STAND UP PADDLING)? Yeah, surfboards look cool on your car, but that’s not why you should try stand up paddling. SUP boards are great platforms for exercise, including floating Pilates and yoga; you get a total body workout you won’t believe. You get a totally different perspective on the water, which makes them great for sight fishing or photography. They are so fun to paddle on a hot summer day. Try it! Come to Rutabaga and take a class, test paddle, or rent one. Aqua-Bound Freedom & Challenge These are essentially the same two paddles in different materials. Both have the same carbon fiber shaft and blade design. They come in two adjustable sizes: 70"–80" and 76"–86" for the Jim-sized* paddlers in your family. The Freedom (blue) uses fiberglass-reinforced resin in the handle and the blade. It weighs in at 29 oz. The Challenge (black) has a carbon-reinforced blade that weighs 28 oz. as a two-piece paddle. It is also available as a one-piece tipping the scales at a mere 25 oz. (We generally prefer 2-piece because they’re easier to transport.) BOTE Boards BOTE HD The BOTE HD brings a whole new concept to stand up paddling. Turns out, properly designed boards can make pretty good fishing platforms too. The BOTE HD has two holes to support a fishing post/backrest, plus lots of mount points and rigging for a YETI cooler (which makes a nice seat), dry boxes, and dry bags. Note: the picture above is of the standard Bote Board. The HD featured at Canoecopia has a displacement hull that will track better on Midwest waters. Werner Carve Series The Carve SUP paddle blades are a new line. They borrow last year’s Advantage as the new “full” size and add in small and medium sizes. We tend to think most paddlers will pick the medium blade (just like Goldilocks!), but if you’re looking for maximum bite, we’d recommend the full. The full is a big blade, so keeping a higher tempo will be more difficult. The small is for those who want an easier or higher cadence * Jim is large stroke. Every pack is made by hand in Duluth, MN. Crazy, isn’t it? WATCH US AT WORK IN BOOTH #4 Old No. 7 Canoe Pack AUTHENTIC WAXED CANVAS CANOE PACKS, BAGS & GIFTS FIND US ON FACEBOOK Shop at FROSTRIVER.COM 10 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 SUP — WHAT’S NEW C4 Waterman Muñoz UltraGlide 12 The UltraGlide SUP board uses 60+ years of designer Mickey Muñoz’ experience to create an incredible all-around hull. It is in that sweet spot of being stable, fast, and maneuverable. C4 Waterman suggests it’s best for intermediate to advanced paddlers, but the gung-ho beginner shouldn’t be scared off either. The UltraGlide 12 is recommended for paddlers up to about 250 lbs. It’s quite light for its size, coming in at 30 pounds. We really like that it has anchor points on the bow. It makes for a much nicer way to attach a dry bag or other sundries you’d want for the day’s paddle. It’s a little thing, yes, but after a while, those little things add up. MTI FLUID SERIES Perfect for SUP, MTI has three new Inflatable Belt Pack PFDs in a totally new USCG approved slim line shape: the STANDARD (shown here), the RACE 1 for flatwater racing, and the AQUA OM for SUP YOGA. Bodyhugging design securely holds pack to core while paddling, 3D mesh padding is softer, cooler, and quick drying. 3D mesh buckle protector flap prevents chafing at the waist. A zippered pouch carries keys, cards, or cell phone in a dry pouch. PFDs help save lives and avoid uncomfortable encounters with the Coast Guard. Wear ‘em. BIC Cross 10 Platinum & Ace-Tec Wing 11 The Cross 10 board was built to be able to accomodate the needs of those who like to do yoga on an SUP board. BIC made it a bit more stable, threw in incredibly useful front anchor points, beefed up the pad for more comfort with bare feet, and extended the padding across almost the entire board. The Platinum version includes the sharp-looking ABS color. The Ace-Tek Wing 11 is new to Rutabaga in 2014. It’s a thoughtfully scaled down version of their Wing 12.6. It’s an all-around displacement hull (one built for straighttracking more than maneuverability) that can be raced by paddlers weighing up to about 170 pounds. The 29"-wide hull makes for an easier paddling experience for shorter riders. The pointed V bow helps the board cut through chop, maintaining its excellent speed. BIC built in a very slight V-shaped tail as well, which helps reduce drag and improves glide. They recessed the standing platform to improve balance and control. It’s a great boat for our Midwestern waters. Riviera PaddleSurf NUGG 10’6” & 11’6” Coastal Cruiser 11 & 12’6” The Riviera-designed NUGG paddle board is great for the surfing-inspired beginner. They’re friendly and welcoming with just the right amount of rocker along with a pulled-in round tail. They’re easy for novices to surf, and they're nice for casual paddling and exercise too. It’s equipped with a tri-fin system. The Ron House-designed Coastal Cruiser boards are “all-around displacement” boards. They favor but don’t require flat water over surf. They have a nice bit of rocker, especially at the tip of the bow, which helps them surf better than other 12'6" boards. The Cruiser also has 6 tie downs on the nose, complete with shock cord to secure your gear prior to setting off for a day’s excursion. It’s remarkably stable in rough conditions. Single fin only. Also check out their Yoga Mat (not pictured) which is about as unique of a board as you’ll find, as well Coastal Cruiser as their “I-can’t-believe-itis-that-light” carbon “Bump” paddles. Our buyer, Scott, was so impressed when he Nugg first held one that it was all he’d talk about for a week. We think you will be impressed too. NEW VENDOR: Riviera PaddleSurf Riviera Paddle Surf is a familyowned and operated firm out of southern California. Founded in 2007 out of a love of SUP fishing, they’ve stayed focused on the stand up paddle board market in all its glory. We’re glad to have them in Rutabaga’s shop and at Canoecopia 2014. Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 11 njoy Sundays for WHAT’SWisconsin NEW 9¢ Per Week! Yakima RidgeBack NRS Vapor PFD The Vapor PFD continues NRS’ tradition of comfy, valuepriced life jackets. It’s simple to get on and off thanks to its two side buckles: pop those two, slide it on, re-clip, and head out for your day’s adventure on the water. The flotation is concentrated in the center of the jacket to give you tremendous freedom of motion, regardless of the paddling you’re doing. The Vapor has unday Milwaukee Journal Sentinel delivers the local and world news that a generous front zipper for storing your camera, phone, and/ ortant toThe you!flapSubscribe now for justlined 99¢toper week and save over 50% off the or keys. behind the gear pouch is fleece warm chilled fingers. Stand up paddleboarders (especially stand price! those with other boats in their garage) will love this e onethoughtfully-designed news source that covers Milwaukee and Wisconsin with the insight and passion you expect from your local newspaper. PFD. ked with information about your world! f a 2011 Pulitzer Prize for explanatory reporting, the Milwaukee Journal is backed by SUP the largest news organizationmiddle in the section state. to handle stand up paddleboards Thule’s Shuttle hasgathering a clever telescoping up to 34" wide. It’s got Thule’s new (near-) universal-bar quick mount system—if you’ve got with money-saving coupons and offers! a standard roof rack, you’re good to go—that can carry one or two boards. Twin compression nday edition contains hundreds of dollars in coupons and advertised savings. straps keep everything securely positioned while in transit. They’re padded to keep your board from getting marked. Includes bow hook tie-down. Thule SUP Shuttle four easy ways to order: e: 1-800-759-6397 and mention this exclusive 99¢ Sunday offer e: www.jsonline.com/offers, offer code DIRM SU99 ReturnStart order form in postage-paid envelope small: There’s a line I got from Dad. I heard him use it t Phone: Scan this QR code after a concert had one encore too many. “Always leave them wanting more.” It’s okay to wish you had 3 more miles to go. There’s Hitch-mount bike racks like the RidgeBack have a convenience factor that’s really hard to ignore. You just slide ‘em in to your 1.25" or 2" receivers, no tools required (thanks, SpeedKnob). Quick, easy, convenient. Comes fully assembled, right out of the box. The RidgeBack makes it easier still with a top-mounted quick-release switch for an easy tilt-out when you want to open your back gate. Zipstraps keep the bikes from moving around when you’re underway. Available in a 2, 4, or 5-bike capacity. TIPS ON HOW TO TAKE A FRIEND PADDLING: something uniquely awful about hearing, “Ugh... 3 more miles to go?!?” If they want more, there’s always the next time. If they’ve had enough, you’ll rarely get a next time. —Jim P. new subscribers only where carrier delivery is available. Delivery will continue after expiration unless the Journal Sentinel is notified. Online orders must be paid with debit or credit card at time of order. mers agree to monthly charges applied to debit or credit card. Thanksgiving Day’s paper will be charged at retail rates. Sunday Only includes the 11/24/11 newspaper. Offer expires 7/15/11. I want the Great Sundays in Wisconsin. The Where • When • How Magazine for Outdoor Aerobic Sports in the Upper Midwest Sunday Delivery 26 Weeks for $25.74 (Save over 50%) Sunday Delivery 52 weeks for $51.48 (Save over 50%) Guarantee one full year of the Sunday Journal Sentinel delivered for only 99¢ per week. Includes Monday-Saturday e-edition! ™ 3 Only 24 $ 26 weeks of the Sunday Journal Sentinel delivered for only 99¢ per week. COnvenienT WAyS TO SUbSCribe! Includes Monday-Saturday e-edition! 1. PHONE: 1-888-706-4045 mention offer code: PAPR SSCN Daily and Sundayand Delivery 26 Weeks for $51.74 (Save over 75%) 2. ONLINE: Subscribe online at www.silentsports.net/subscribe 26 weeks of the Monday-Sunday delivery for only $1.99 per week! 3. MAIL: Complete form and mail with check or money order TV Cue24 forW. 25¢Rives Street, Rhinelander, WI 54501 to: Silent Sports, 95 per year! 2 Years - $3995 3 Years - $4995 Add TV Cue to your 26- or 52-week Sunday subscription for only 25¢ per week 1-year subscription for $24.95 2-year subscription for $39.95 3-year subscription for $49.95 CHARGE MY: Credit/Debit CARD TYPE:Email: ________________________________ Card __________________ Name: ____________________________________ Phone: Check or Money Order (payable to The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) Address: ____________________________________ City: ___________________________ State: _____ Zip: ______________ Featuring Seasonal Columns By Darren Bush! CREDIT CARD INFORMATION CARD NO. EXP. DATE 3 DIGIT SECURITY CODE Authorization Signature ______________________________ Offer Code: PAPR SSCN 12 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 Signature *Upon Authorization renewal, regular subscription rates will apply. Silent Sports is published 12 times per year. First issue will mail within 6 weeks. Offer expires 4/30/2014. E-mail Address Phone Number Offer Code: DIRM SU99 ™ WHAT’S NEW Stohlquist Edge The side-entry Edge sports a low-profile shape that’s ideal for high-mobility paddlers. It will amaze those venturing into the world of stand up paddleboarding, too. If you’re a minimalist at heart and would prefer a vest with just one pocket (zippered, naturally), we think you’ll fall in love with the Edge. NRS Layering System Redesign NRS H2Core is the first and only layering system designed specifically for paddlers. Perfectly-placed seams create friction-free zones. Advanced technical fabrics wick moisture, dry quickly, and protect you from harmful UV rays. Unlike general-purpose outdoor apparel, H2Core’s features enhance your time on the water. Current Designs Kestrel Redesign & Kayak Changes It’s no secret that the Kestrel is one of Jim’s favorite recreational kayaks. It moves beautifully in the water. If he had any complaint, it was that the hatch system was a little futzy and his large keister sometimes wished for more padding on the seat. For ‘14, Current Designs made a great boat even better. It’s got the new FlipLock hatch AND more padding on the seat. Current Designs has also decided to change to a fiberglass seam on all of their new composite boats. The new construction method applies glass inside and out, and allows the boats to get most any color of gelcoat applied. The older vinyl H-channel seam was strictly black. In theory, the newer method may make for a more solid construction as well. Redesigned for 2014, NRS Hydroskin is more comfortable and convenient than ever. Improved cut lines offer superior freedom of movement. Advanced features like friction-free zones under the arms of shirts and jackets extend your paddling day. NRS has also expanded the line by adding two thicker, warmer fabrics to the original 0.5 mm Terraprene Hydroskin material to help extend your paddling season. Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 13 WHAT’S NEW Hurricane Skimmer Series Hurricane has made a name for themselves with their Trylon thermoformed plastic. Its first claim to fame is that it’s inherently lighter than polyethelene. On average a Hurricane boat will be 20-30 pounds easier to move around. It’s stiffer than poly, too. That means you get better efficiency as well. They’re faster than you might expect, with Swede-form hulls that cut through the water. The Skimmer series have comfy Thule Sprint The Sprint was made to help people with flip-up rear hatches on their cars. See, most hatches can’t be raised fully if you’ve got anything attached to the rack. This means you’re always on hyper-alert around well-meaning children or overly-helpful cousins who want to force the hatch for you, or you have to jury-rig some system of rope and knots to keep it from opening too far. The Sprint fixes this problem by “AireStream” seats with generous padding and adjustable back support. Deck rigging is standard so you can hold all of your fishing, birding, videoing, or lounging needs. having a telescoping rear wheel tray; when it’s not in use, it tucks in and allows the hatch full freedom. As a bonus, the design means that it gives maximum support to bicycle frames of most any size. It comes with an AcuTight knob at the front fork that clicks when you reach the right pressure. The tool-free Speed‑link system mounts to most any bar out there. Telic Sandals VISIT US AT CANOECOPIA www.stohlquist.com Telic sandles are an American-made ecofriendly success story that are a joy to have on your feet. Telic means “ultimate” in Greek, and we think they picked a darn applicable name. The heat-activated Terox material conforms to your feet as you wear them while providing an amazing cushion as you move about. The textured footbed massages your feet and maintains gription when wet. The material used in them can be reground to make brand new sandals. Ultimate indeed. SAFETY COMFORT & UTILITY BIG FUNCTION | SMALL FORM 14 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 EDGE WHAT’S NEW Whispbar WB400 J-Cradle & WB401 Roller After having determined that their WB400 & WB401 were “not quite ready for prime time,” Whispbar took an extra year to refine their design. This really is a next generation roof rack system. When not in use, they fold down into a flat, wing-like design with tapered curves. The result: exactly what you’d expect from a company called Whispbar; they’re whisper quiet. They’re also really, really easy to install on their bars. You have to see it to believe it. For those with legacy racks, don’t worry. They’re compatible. The J-Cradle incorporates an extending arm with a gentle lifting ramp to make loading your kayak easier after a full day’s paddling. Tie-down strap mounting points are integrated in to the cradle. The WB401 Roller has adjustable flip-up cradle arms with three rollers on the back mount and one centrallymounted roller on the front. Straps and bow & stern tie downs are included. Stop by the booth to see the new SlatGrate www.slatgrills.com Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 15 WHAT’S NEW — FISHING Old Town Predator family Yak Attack 1” & 1.5” Screwball [Picture] yourself in an MTI! Visit the MTI booth to audition for the MTI youtube video project: Friday Saturday Sunday 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm 11:00 am – 3:00 pm 11:00 am – 2:00 pm PLUS Meet “National Geographic” Adventures of the Year Dave & Amy Freeman “Wilderness Classroom” • Share a “selfie” with Dave & Amy on Facebook • Get a free signed poster (limited quanty) new 2014 Race 1 Fluid 2.0 SUP Cascade Mariner DIO F SPEC www.mtiadventurewear.com 16 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 The Old Town Predator MX and Predator 13 underwent a complete redesign and we love the results. The seat is super comfortable for all-day use and yet can flip up and get completely out of the way to give you room for standup casting. If you want, it can also pull double-duty as a stand up paddleboard with the seat up. Predators are meant to be customized. Removable mounting plates let you attach your gear the way you see fit. The Predator MX is 12' long. The fancier Predator 13 is — you guessed it — 13' with a center console for mounting all sorts of goodies like a GPS, a fish finder, and/or a rod holder. Underneath the console is a storage hatch perfect for keeping bug dope, a little dry bag, or a waterproof camera. Astral Ronny Fisher The Ronny Fisher is an upgraded Ronny vest that’s likely to be a favorite with fisherpeople. It’s got two huge flip-down pockets for storing your fishing necessities. Pockets are on the outside of these pockets for extra goodies like fishing licenses. Under a flap on the side is a gear organizer for a hemostat & clipper. The Thin-Vent back doesn’t bunch up against backrests, regardless of their size. Side-cinching straps have individual keepers to prevent your tackle from getting hung up on them. There’s a stowaway high-viz hood just in case you need sun (or rain!) protection or to be seen. Very clever. If you've got factory outfitted tracks on your fishing boat, this is the easiest accessory holder base to install, remove or reposition. Screwballs allow you to affix any rod or portable electronic RAM mounts to the deck of your boat with minimal effort. No tracks? No problem. You can mount it in one fixed position with one of their Mightymounts, or you can pick up a GearTrac mount and install a track system on virtually any kayak. RAM Mounts Tube Jr Rod Holder This is probably the smallest, most compact spin/bait cast rod holder we’ve seen on the market so far. Scotty (one of our kayak fishing gurus) is positively gaga for it. Its compact design limits the amount of interference with Rod not included casting and landing of fish, yet still provides plenty of security for your rods. The RamRod post can take a spinning reel mounted above, on the side, or even below. When mounted below, it won't interfere with the deck. It includes a 1.5" ball base, but it can be quickly re-mounted on a 1.5" Yak Attack ball if that's what you're using with your system. FISHING — WHAT’S NEW WHY KAYAK FISHING? Kayak fishing is accessible. Not everyone has the means to purchase, store, transport, and service your typical fishing boat. That leaves many anglers stranded with limited access to good fishing. Kayaks (and canoes!) are the perfect craft for anglers. They’re affordable. Storage is a cinch if you have a garage or shady spot in your yard. No yard? Go inflatable (careful with your hooks!). Transportation is simple: a quality roof rack, an empty minivan, or just a kayak cart will do. Service and maintenance is dead simple: rinse with a hose and apply a UV inhibitor semi-annually. The absolute best reason for fishing from a kayak or canoe is the strike of a hungry fish. Your body reacts instinctively, raising your arms to set the hook. The boat shudders beneath you. Slowly the fish begins to succumb and approaches. You are both on the same plane, almost intimate with one another. Just before you reach out to land him, he splashes you in the face with his tail and takes off on another run. Werner Hooked Series Werner has jumped in to the fishing & sporting world with their new Hooked series of paddles. The entry-level Tybee and Skagit are a very subdued solid brown color. The higherperformance Shuna and Camano designs incorporate a muted camo breakup pattern in the blade. It’s the best of both worlds: a paddle that gets you there efficiently without announcing your presence to the underwater Jackson Kayak Big Rig The new Big Rig is true to its name: it’s big, super stable, and fully rigged to fish. Up in the bow, a fold-away leaning bar adds comfort and stability while standing. Five Yak Attack tracks are positioned around the boat for an infinite number of rigging options and rod positions. The hole at the stern is designed specifically to accept a Mini Power Pole anchoring system (sold seperately, not at Canoecopia). Its elite seat is cozy, cool, and allows for both high and low seating positions. The Jackson’s new beauty will accomodate larger paddlers very comfortably, but you don't have to be a Jimbo-sized guy to enjoy the Big Rig. Incredibly cute dog not included. world. TAKE KAYAK ANGLING TO THE NEXT LEVEL Discriminating anglers want more than outstanding kayak performance – they want a true fishing machine. Enter the Ride 115X, featuring a removable console that consolidates fish/depth finder components (including battery), simplifies installation of electronics, and provides added storage. The patented Phase 3® AirPro seating system, additional mounting surfaces, newly integrated features and rear SlideTrax™ rails maximize rigging options to take your fishing to the next level. See the new Ride 115X and ouR full lineup of peRfoRmance fiShing kayakS at canoecopia. www.WildernessSystems.com Follow us on Facebook Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 17 WHAT’S NEW Malone Clipper Cart Helinox Table One & Chair One If Malone built real “we’re-not-kidding-takethis-SUV-off-road” cars, this’d be it. This is Malone’s off-road, upgraded, go-anywhere canoe or kayak cart. It can handle loads up to 200 pounds on its non-corrosive marinegrade aluminum and stainless steel hardware. For 2014 the Clipper got upgraded with new airless “never-go-flat” tires. To make loading easier on you and your boat, they also fitted it with dual-kickstands and oversized foam pads. These are two camping gems that use modern tent technology to give maximum comfort with minimal size & weight. They have shock-corded tent poles that collapse down in to a bag not much bigger than your hand and weigh under two pounds. The Table One stands just over a foot high. It’s got two recessed cup holders in the center to minimize spills. (If you do suffer a spill, the mesh material makes cleanup a breeze. The Chair One is all about portable comfort. You almost melt in to it. It’s designed to match the Table One’s height so you can slowly sip your coffee without stress. It’s built to handle up to a very generous 300 pounds of caffeine-quaffing camper. 3156 Milwaukee Street Madison, WI. 53714 Call: (608)244 - 4741 www.mccormicklumber.com Lumber: African Mahogany Philippine Mahogany Sitka Spruce (V.G.) Douglas Fir Western Red Cedar White Cedar White Oak Teak Plywood: Okoume - Marine BS1088 Adhesives: Full line of West System Epoxies Always on top. 18 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 WHAT’S NEW Delta Fourteen Yakima JayLow The Fourteen takes design cues from Delta’s 15LV and 12LV from last year. It adds a third hatch to the forward deck for easy access to your sundries. The thermoformed multi-faceted V-hull gives a stable but responsive ride while weighing about 20 pounds less than conventional polyethelyne boats. We figure the Fourteen will be a big winner for the day paddler and the weekend warrior who wants to explore inland and coastal waters. The Twelve-Ten, Fifteen S, and Sixteen boats also receive seat and hatch upgrades for 2014. J-cradles are popular because they allow more sea kayaks per car top. The JayLow’s quick-release adjustable arm can also function as a kayak stacker and carry your short boats too. It folds flat when not in use. The ramp does doubleduty: helps slide the boat in to the cradle and keeps it from sliding once there. Yakima’s tool-free clamping mechanism can attach to any standard crossbar, so it’s easy to grab it and go. Answer “yes” to the freedom of the unknown. To a passion for adventure-seeking. To the way less traveled. And to destination: where ever your quest for exploration takes you. Experience Crossover the Dagger Way – ALL NEW DAggEr KAtANA Princeton Tec Fuel Headlamp Do you ever find yourself saying, “Honey, is this my headlamp?” Or just wanting a headlamp unlike anyone else’s? Enter the Princeton Tec Fuel. It’s incredibly customizable. Get the components you want made while you wait in the Princeton Tec booth. Then you’ll know when you’re looking at your headlamp. Go with an ugly combination and it’ll never be stolen. JOIN THE ReVoLUtion. For those who do it all, the Hercules is our most versatile blade in our new Advanced Series whitewater paddle line featuring Duraweave™ – a revolutionary new composite material that’s lighter, stronger and safer. Come see what’s new at CanoeCopia. www.atpaddles.com Find Us On Facebook Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 19 WHAT’S NEW Platypus GravityWorks 4L Thermarest NeoAir Venture WV The GravityWorks got a nice refresh this year. First, the water bags are very clearly marked for better identification. A clip was added to the webbing to make hanging that much easier. The valve was moved to the corner for easier packing. The good things stay the same: still meets all EPA and NSF guidelines for the removal of bacteria and protozoa including Giardia, Cryptosporidium, E. Coli, Salmonella and Cholera. Plus, the whole gravity feed thing makes purifying your water a hassle-free cinch. Sperry Topsider Ricochet shoes The super-light, super-compact NeoAir line of sleeping pads just got a lot more affordable with the new WaveCore technology. They simplified it with a single horizontal layer of baffles. The Wave Core tech doubles the insulation of an uninsulated air mattress. We think it will be a great first pad for someone, or maybe a nice upgrade from a basic mattress. It packs down to almost nothing for your three-season camping trips. Stuff sack is included. The Ricochet combines SON-R Technology and a state-of-the-art lugged outsole to provide excellent traction and sensory feedback as you cross rugged, rocky shorelines. Stop by and visit us at our display and see all the new models! ProudAutomotive Automotive Proud Sponsorofofthe Sponsor Canoecopia 2012 2014 Canoecopia 2014 Outback Forrester 2012 Subaru 2014 2012 Outback Subaru Forester Two Locations to Serve You! 5339 Wayne Terrace Madison • 608-258-3636 SALES: Mon. - Thurs. 9am-8pm; Fri. 9am-6pm; Sat. 9am-5pm SERVICE: Mon. - Fri. 7am-5:30pm; Sat. 8am-1pm 5822 Odana Road (at Tokay Blvd.) • 608-442-3232 SALES: Mon. - Thurs. 9am-8pm; Fri. 9am-6pm; Sat. 9am-5pm SERVICE: Mon. - Fri. 7am-5:30pm; Sat. 8am-1pm www.donmiller.com 20 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 WHAT’S NEW Dagger Katana Series Ticla Tea House The Katana is the new crossover whitewater brainchild from Dagger. Its Contour Ergo outfitting is all-day comfortable as well as secure, and easy to customize to your body’s particular needs. Katanas come in two sizes (9.7 and 10.4) that should fit everyone from 5' to about 6'4". The retractable skeg helps keep you moving forward on the flat portions while giving you maximum maneuverability when you need it. Ticla is new to Rutabaga in 2014, in no small part because Ticla is a new company, full stop. Their motto is “Camp Better.” It speaks to those of us “in a certain age group” as we try to maximize our camping pleasure. The Tea House (2 & 3) tents do their best to let you see the great outdoors, while still affording you protection from bugs Whether you want to go on long expeditions, and the elements. They’re supposed to feel explore the local rocky rivers, or develop a nodlike you’re hanging out in a screened porch. ding acquaintance with every just-submerged If you know the magic of that on a sweet boulder, the Katana is up to the task. summer evening, you know you’ll want one of these. Think Differently. Live Differently. Visit us at C13 in the Main Hall to learn how Northland College approaches the science and politics of the human-nature relationship in practical and imaginative ways. Offering liberal arts and sciences programs with an environmental focus. northland.edu Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 21 WHAT’S NEW P&H Flat Earth Sail System Many years ago, kayaks sporting a sail were quite common. No one would bat an eye at someone batting a sail. Now they’re much less common. P&H would like to change that. A sail and a favorable wind can extend your range or trim time off your return. Shred Ready OSK Folks are sometimes spooked about installing a sail, but it isn’t a big deal. Yes, you drill two holes in your hull, but we do that with compasses all the time. The sail system was created to stow and deploy quickly and easily. You can enjoy it when you want to, and safely ignore it when you don’t. Running downwind takes just a few minutes to learn since it’s a two-line system. One deploys it, the other adjusts the angle of attack. It does take some time to learn how to handle beam winds, but that’s part of the fun. One of Jim’s great loves is whitewater kayaking. He readily admits he’s not in it for death-defying feats but “just bumping in to rocks” will keep him entertained for hours. There’s a snag, though. He’s got a skull that taunts normal helmets. Normal helmets painfully taunt him back. So when he heard how the new OSK provides a greater range of fit and adjustability, he went giddy. The OSK uses a pressure-formed carbon fiber shell surrounding an EPP impact liner to try to keep your head in good working order. It’s got slick-looking aluminum strap anchors and interchangable brims to complete the form and function bit. liquidlogic Stinger XP The Stinger XP is a logical and wonderful extension of the Remix XP line. The Stinger is a longer, faster, downriver crossover boat. Originally designed for the famous Green River Race, the Stinger is the perfect boat for paddling 22 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 twisty-turny streams as well as up to Class V whitewater. This is a perfect boat for a first-time moving water paddler, and with the drop-down skeg, she’ll track like a sea kayak on the flat sections. Wenonah Tour Elbow Paddle If you’ve seen any canoe races, you’ve undoubtedly seen Wenonah’s Black Elbow paddle. They’re ubiquitous because they’re feather light and incredibly efficient. Pure carbon fiber paddles don’t come cheap. Worth it, yes, but not something you want to hand over to your 12-year old nephew, Bruiser. Enter the Tour Elbow paddle. It’s a bit heavier, a good bit more suited to Bruiser, and less expensive to boot. It’s got a carbon shaft but a fiberglass blade. That gives it the best price/ performance/weight combination. We love ‘em and think you will too. Lendal US QRS Shaft & Storm Blade We’re really excited about the Lendal US new QRS shaft. It complements their MCS shaft. The QRS has a shorter grip area with wider positioning to get your hands nearer to the blades. That gives you a higher cadence and more powerful strokes. Those with longer arms or broader shoulders will find it gives them a more comfortable hand position. The Storm Blade takes the innate goodness of their Kinetic paddle and adds a dihedral foil to it. The extra buoyancy and easier recovery phase wrings every last bit of efficiency out of your stroke. CHANGES — WHAT’S NEW R.I.P. Royalex News about & options regarding end of the “Do Anything” wonder material ROYALEX is a material developed and created by Old Town Canoe. Old Town called it Oltonar, but the industry settled on Royalex since that was the name Uniroyal (the manufacturer) used. It’s a great all-around material. It’s a sandwich of ABS around sheets of vinyl. It’s lighter and stiffer than a poly boat, but flexible enough to bounce off rocks. lot longer. Skid plates are felt pads epoxied on and add years to the life of a canoe. Cracks used to be fatal, but new epoxy compounds have them back in action. (Skid plates can be a good idea for to a composite canoes, too. Add them where they will take most of the impact and spare the other parts of your boat. It might affect the entry line, but in general it’s good insurance.) For more than thirty years a factory in Warsaw, Indiana, made Royalex. The plant changed hands a few times: None of the manufacturers with Uniroyal to Spartech, and then in March whom we’ve spoken are looking for 2013, to PolyOne. The new owners an exact replacement for Royalex. looked at the Royalex production, saw The market for such a material the profit and loss of the production is limited to where spending the line, and announced a large price inR&D dollars for a maybe just isn’t crease. Later they said that they would Old Town employees threw a Royalex canoe off the roof of in the cards. We must get used to a would cease production whenever they their factory. It was dented, but still paddleable. world where Royalex is an endanfelt like it. gered species that will, someday, Composite construction of canoes made be extinct. Manufacturers responded quickly by buying with cloth and resins may seem like a bad a large amount of Royalex, even at the new If you want to keep paddling Royalex, your idea after Royalex’s bombproof construction. premium price. The future of Royalex was a best bet is to buy your canoe this year. If That’s a perceptual problem, not a reality. complete unknown. We heard that it would be Kevlar, a material with tensile strength five you really love it, buy two. You know how moved to China. (Nope: too hard to move.) some people find running shoes they like and times greater than steel and used for bulletWe heard that there were new materials that always buy two pair? Then they can wear out proof vests, is up to the task. would replace Royalex. (Nope: there was one and start to use the other. With a canoe, Our owner Darren tried an experiment last nothing that performed quite like Royalex.) you’ll have a spare, or a collectable! Boats summer. He went to Wenonah and built a don’t go bad… So we find ourselves in an interesting posiKevlar Wenonah Argosy. Darren vowed to tion as passionate canoeists. There is a 99.9% We all still have choices. We just wanted to “paddle it like it’s Royalex.” He took his chance that new Royalex will cease to exist lay them out for you. In the end, the best camid-weight construction with a flexible core within the next six to ten months, and the and paddled it everywhere he would normally noe for you is the one that gets wet the most. prices of the material will probably go way up paddle his Royalex canoe. Darren said that if it does stay around longer than that. Roythe first few bumps and scrapes were painful. alex, for all practical purposes, is gone. The However, after a few hours on the river, he allternatives work quite well. Acknowledge concerns. turned his boat over and saw a few thin lines on the bottom. He relaxed. After that, it was On a guided trip, one 9-year-old kid Polyethylene has been used for decades in just a canoe, like any other. started to have a tizzy because there was the construction of both canoes and kayaks. It a bug in her tent. “You’ll have that,” the is less expensive with great impact resistance. What happened then surprised him and us. guide replied. Later, it was sand in her It is heavier and more flexible than Royalex, We saw his orange Kevlar Argosy more and shoes. “That will happen.” The guide so it’s not as efficient. We expect river runmore. His Royalex Argosy gathered dust. He noted it, and kid let it go. Peace reigned. ners, Boy Scouts, and people who are hard grew to appreciate Kevlar’s lighter weight, “That’ll happen” and “You’ll have that” on their equipment will turn to polyethylene and it took everything he threw at it. At the have changed my life. I’ve started to use when Royalex is no more. People who run end of the season, it looked just fine: no holes, those phrases with the kids I take out and bigger water or do longer trips may want to cracks or gouges. it has worked beautifully. (It has also let paddle a polyethylene canoe, especially if the Extending your boat’s lifetime: If your Royme get a lot more Zen about my own failability to repair the boat is limited, such as alex canoe is getting a little thin at the bow on a two- or three-week trip to the Canadian ings and shortcomings. Win-win.) —JP. and stern, a skid plate kit can make it last a bush. TAKING KIDS OUT TIPS Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 23 STAND UP PADDLING Stand Up Paddle Days at Rutabaga Discover the easy fun and excitement of SUP! Sat & Sun, June 14 & 15, 2014 ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ On-site demos all weekend long Factory reps on hand Sunday Door prizes and giveaways BIC SUP One Design Challenge Race Series - Sunday ■■ A Full Day of SUP Classes on Saturday Join our ACA certified instructors for beginner and intermediate classes For more information go to www.rutabaga.com/SUPDays Classes require advance registration — call us or visit http://learn.rutabaga.com BIC SUP One Design Challenge Race Series ■■ ■■ ■■ Coming to Madison – Summer 2014 3 official classes: Men’s / Women’s / Unisex Youth Prizes! For more details see www.rutabaga.com/BIC_SUP_Races 24 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 Becoming an SUP Instructor By Erica Munson Like most who enjoy Canoecopia, I love to be on the water! At times paddling has been something that’s been a very large part of my life, and at times it’s something that fits when I can find the time. But however often I’m able to get out on the water, each time is fulfilling. My progression of water sports has been continual, and most recently I’ve gotten hooked on stand up padding (SUP). SUP has been a new and energizing experience, and I’ve found that I want to go out again and again! I have been teaching canoeing and kayaking for over a decade now, but after a few years of playing with Stand Up Paddling, I decided to become an ACA certified SUP Instructor this last summer. I wanted to learn new techniques and ideas about how to teach stand up paddling. I didn’t realize just how much there was to learn nor all the things you can do with a paddleboard. This certification has taken my knowledge and teaching to a new level, and I am excited to get back on the water and share it with others. Instructor Erica Munson People ask us “Don’t you fall off”? Yes. Please do. It’s darned fun. whitewater the Moisie will get you through and keep your heart pounding! The Moisie 16'6" Named after one of the most beautiful wild Length 16' 6" Beam 34" Weight 78 lbs. Capacity 1100 lbs. rivers of North America, this exciting canoe will Shallow Arch High Volume Ends Symmetrical Moderate Rocker appeal to seasoned paddlers with a taste for whitewater. Extremely responsive under the toughest conditions, the Moisie is perfect for turn-on-a-dime action... even when carrying a big load! novacraft.com 866 88 CANOE PRESENTATIONS Canoecopia Presentations for 2014 89 great presenters, 114 topics highlight this year’s show ONCE AGAIN we have an abundant selection of presentations that we hope will inform, entertain and inspire you. With over 110 topics, the hard part may be deciding which to see! For speaker bios and schedules, please see our website: www.canoecopia.com Matt Abbotts Greg Anderson A Kayak Circumnavigation of Russia’s Lake Baikal w Ne The Lower Canyons of the Rio Grande Following their 2009 paddle around Lake Superior, kayakers Matt and Hannah Abbotts decided to head to Siberia and take on the world’s other largest lake, Baikal. It took two years of planning, a month of travel, and 1,200 miles of kayaking to get around the deepest, most voluminous lake in the world. The trip was full of beautiful scenery, international mishaps, and unbelievable paddling, making for the adventure of a lifetime. The Lower Canyons of the Rio Grande are one of the most remote stretches of river in the contiguous United States. Eighty-three miles of scenic Chihuahuan Desert canyon country provides paddlers with a classic off-season wilderness trip. This federally protected Wild and Scenic River begins near the eastern boundary of Big Bend National Park along the Mexico-Texas border and passes through countless Class II rapids with the occasional Class III/IV on the way to the take-out at Dryden Crossing. Greg assures you that the more difficult rapids can be lined or portaged. Join Richie Bekolay, pro-staff for Werner Paddles, in the Clarion Suites pool to take a look at five essential skills you need to get the most from your kayak fishing. As you watch on from the poolside, he will teach you to be a more efficient paddler and effective angler. Kayak Fishing 101: Getting Started abc Have you ever wanted to get into kayak fishing or wonder what all the hype is about? Join Richie as he breaks down the basics of one of the largest growing outdoor sports; kayak fishing. From the type and style of kayaks, the necessary gear, to putting it all to use on the water, Richie will leave no stone unturned in your quest to become a kayak angler. John Bates The Farthest Side of Wildlife Ecology abc Daniel Alvarez The Big Bang, evolution, natural selection, population dynamics, adaptations, reproductive strategies, animal behavior, wildlife management — here’s Wildlife Ecology 101 in 50 minutes through the lens of Far Side, Calvin and Hobbes, and others. Laugh your way to knowing more about wildlife. w Ne Predictably Lost: 7,000 Miles, 503 Days, 2 Pink Flamingos Having never paddled a sea kayak before, Daniel Alvarez left the northern tip of Minnesota to paddle to Key West. Nine months later, saltstained and exhausted, he arrived, ate all the key lime pie he could, and decided to paddle back. From portages through New Orleans to almost being arrested in New York, from Everglades alligators to woodland caribou, from Memphis BBQ to Montreal poutine, this presentation brings to life an adventure spanning 22 states and 3 provinces and will inspire you to cut through your fears, dream big, and go. 26 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 Birding Northern Lakes and Rivers: What Species to Look for and Where abc From wailing loons to plunging ospreys to secretive rails, every paddler experiences a wealth of bird life along any northern waterway. Each bird species has its own story, and all are worth knowing. We’ll visually ID birds, listen to their songs, describe their habitat, and share what’s remarkable about each one. Make your jouneys richer by understanding more about the wildlife you’re sharing the water with. Richie Bekolay w Ne Brought to you by Werner Paddles Kayak Angling : Five Essentials Skills You Need to Know abc Featured speaker Sharon & Alec Bloyd-Peshkin Troubleshooting your T-rescue Ever have a tough time with the T-rescue? In this session, Sharon & Alec demonstrate ways to get nearly anybody back in a kayak in under a minute and without injury. They’ll demonstrate best practices for where to put the swimmer, how to maneuver and position the boats, how to empty the swimmer’s boat without lifting, how to secure the boats during reentry, and various reentry options. Greg Blust Exploring an Island Wilderness: Isle Royale National Park Isle Royale offers 894 square miles of isolated wildness. The smallest portion of the park is found in its islands, the largest being 45 miles long and 9 miles wide. Interspersed throughout the park are over 450 smaller islands, which serve to protect the magic of this place. Water makes up 75% of this wilderness park, offering abc Newbie-friendly skills Ontario presenters PRESENTATIONS unparalleled opportunities for canoe and kayak enthusiasts. With 165 miles of trails, 51 miles of canoe routes, and over 336 miles of Lake Superior shoreline, visitors are led towards discovery, adventure, and exploration. on Baffin Island, Boomer and friends descended into the Weasel River Valley. Here, Boomer did a first descent of the Class V glacier-fed river surrounded by some of the world’s tallest cliffs. At the ocean the team picked up their self-built traditional Inuit style kayaks and followed old traditional Inuit routes across Baffin. Tidal rapids, portages, snowstorms, and polar bears were a few of the many challenges along the way. Boomer will talk about this and his past adventures; waterfalls, rapids, and a 104-day expedition around Ellesmere Island. Jeanne Bourquin Erik Boomer Brought to you by NRS w Ne Building and Repairing Wood/Canvas Canoes abc w Ne Project Q: An Expedition across Baffin Island American professional whitewater paddler Erik Boomer and team recently completed a grueling 65-day expedition across Baffin Island, covering over 1000km by kayak, ski, and foot. Avoiding crevasses to cross the largest icecap Jeannie has been building wood-and-canvas canoes for over two decades and is one of the most respected builders and teachers. Her presentation will give you an overview of how she builds and repairs a wood/canvas canoe. She’ll present the skills and techniques she teaches her students in classes at the North House Folk School and in her own shop in Ely. Tips for Enjoying Canoecopia Speakers ■■ The Exhibition Hall is large; plan enough walking time to arrive on time, especially on Saturday when the aisles can be crowded. ■■ Some presentations are only offered on Friday and Sunday. Many presentations are standing room only on Saturday; try seeing those speakers on Friday or Sunday for better seats. ■■ The pool sessions have a limit of 99 attendees for each time slot. Please arrive early to assure your spot. ■■ Strategically use speaker presentations as an opportunity to sit down and rest. Your feet will appreciate the break! ■■ If needed, changes to the speaker schedule will be posted at the Information Booth and in the speaker room area. Updates at www.canoecopia.com www.point65.com A new level of flexibility The take-apart Martini from Point 65 kayaks is a rigid high-performance kayak that you can carry with a smile on your face, easily stow on your boat and transport in the trunk of your car. Go solo, go tandem go triple! The Martini snaps apart and re-assembles in seconds. Snap in the mid-section and your Solo transforms into a Tandem. Add another mid section and it’s a triple! In 2012 Point 65 launches two new take-apart models: the 8’10”/12’9” sit-on-top Apollo and the 9’4”/14’ high performance Mercury. Camp skills Pool demo (Clarion Suites) Youth & family Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 27 PRESENTATIONS She’ll give you tips and tricks to maintain or restore a canoe. Ken Braband, Kevin Carr, & Craig Esposito New Adaptive Paddling with Team River Runner abc When it comes to overcoming physical and mental obstacles, water is the great equalizer. See how Team River Runner (TRR), a non-profit organization, gives active duty service members and veterans an opportunity to find health, healing, and new challenges through kayaking. And learn about the latest adaptive paddling gear that can open the world of paddling to you or someone you may know. Todd Bradley had to cancel this year due to a freak injury. We hope to have him back for Canoecopia 2015 Julie Brown Hygiene Tips for Women in the Wilderness abc Planning ahead and preparing for paddling trips is necessary in all areas, especially hygiene. Learn about about feminine hygiene in remote environments. We will discuss signs and symptoms of female medical concerns, supplies, and tips to use regarding the three p’s...peeing, pooping, and periods. Julie will also cover some techniques for women paddlers who don’t plan to come to shore every time they need relief. John Browning Injuries and Illness Common to the Paddler abc An examination of some of the more common injuries and illnesses that a paddler may encounter. We’ll examine traumatic, medical, and environmental injuries and illness, as well as their treatment and prevention. The intent is to leave you with a better understanding of what can happen, whether you are currently prepared to prevent them from occurring, and managing them if they do. Navigation 101 for the Coastal Kayaker Todd Bradley Brought to you by C4 Waterman SUP: Roots, Culture, and Future abc SUP (Stand Up Paddling) has exploded in popularity. With roots in Hawaii’s waterman culture and Aloha spirit, the sport transcends its beach-boy tradition and comes to inland waters. Todd will teach you to recognize the differences in types of equipment and offer hints for quicker learning and better health. Mahalo! Stephen Brede Circumnavigation of Lake Erie Ports, parks, power plants, wetlands, kilometers of cottages, miles of beaches. Ohio, Pennsylvania, Ontario. Eagles and wind farms. Botanists taking inventory. Surfers barbecuing. Kayaks, sailboats, swimmers. Silt, salt, sewage, munitions, road runoff, fertilizers, plastic and paper. Sunrises, sunsets, rainbows, thunder and lightning. From a near-death experience to resurrection as Walleye Capital of the World, Lake Erie encapsulates the challenges facing the Great Lakes. The view from a canoe. 28 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 get a glimpse of what it is like on a multi-day fly-fishing journey in Northern Maine on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. This riveting slide show will lay out the experience and also include a demonstration on how to pack a kayak for similar overnight trips. The essentials of navigation principles important for the coastal kayaker. Included will be an overview of the “tools of the trade” and their use, including charts, compasses, and course plotting tools. Basic rules of the nautical road will be discussed, as will basic chart reading. All valuable information as you plan your journey in the comfort of your home, as well as while on the water. Julie Buckles & Charly Ray Paddling to Winter Kevin Callan Once Around Algonquin: An Epic Canoe Journey Kevin will present on his latest canoe trip around Ontario’s Algonquin Provincial Park. This is going to be good. The route taken is titled “The Meanest Link” and includes 93 portages that add up to 68 kilometers. Kevin’s canoe buddy, Andy Baxter, joins him — and wishes he hadn’t. He’ll be showing pictures and film of the misadventure—and explain What do those icons mean? Featured speakers represent a cross-section of esoteric topics that we wanted to highlight. abc Newbie-friendly talks appeal to Reporter Julie Buckles tells the story of a yearlong canoe honeymoon traveling the Voyageur Highway 1,700 miles from Lake Superior to Wollaston Lake where she and husband Charly stayed for the winter. “Paddling to Winter” is filled with humor, love, adventure, and has, as one reviewer notes, characters worthy of a Coen Brothers film. Damon Bungard w Ne Brought to you by Jackson Kayaks Multi-Day Kayak Fishing on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway abc If you are interested in experiencing selfsupported kayak trips but need some tips, come Featured speaker abc Newbie-friendly skills those just starting out. Seasoned paddlers will gain tips too. Ontario presenters feature the wisdom & charm from our neighbors to the north Camp skills give you ideas on how to live the easy life when you’re in the wilderness. Lots of water drops form a Pool. Pool found in the Clarion Suites. Youth & family topics help adults get kids outdoors Ontario presenters PRESENTATIONS why spending 20 days paddling Algonquin is a life-altering experience. Time spent in the woods is definitely a good thing. conditions, old-growth wilderness and the rich, ancient culture of the Haida people are a few of the factors that make this area so intriguing. Sam will share paddling stories and incredible views of this National Park/UNESCO World Heritage Site/National Marine Conservation Area from the seat of his kayak as he covers three different expeditions spanning 70 days. Denny Caneff & Erin Courtenay Can Your Canoe Sustain the Pounding of Flying Fish? Asian Carp and Other Invasives Group Leadership and Managing Risk Preston Ciere Come for an update on Asian carp in Wisconsin’s rivers. Denny and Erin will convey facts and dispel myths about Asian carp, and also discuss other worrisome invasive critters and plants, how paddlers can help keep an eye out for them, and take actions to not spread them. w Ne From the Bayou to the Backcountry: A Canoe Dog Story What makes a great canoe dog? Why is camping so much better with a canine friend? How do you prepare your dog for your outdoor adventures? Preston will answer these questions by sharing the unique and inspiring story of his perfect paddling partner. Nancy was in poor health when she was rescued by a shelter in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Adopted to a loving new home in Ontario, Canada, Nancy has fully recovered and can be found running around the backcountry — her natural calling. Terrie Cooper & Tim Pflieger Circumnavigating Door County: A Paddler’s Paradise John Chase Power to the Paddle: Exercises to Improve Your Paddling abc Join 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 and targeting crucial muscles to be a better paddler, build endurance and prevent injury. You’ll improve your outdoor experience and become the best paddler you can be! Secrets of the Strongest Paddlers: Designing Your Personal Exercise Program abc The spring paddling season is just around the corner. Get the tools you need to make 2014 your best year ever. John will outline the process to develop your own personalized fitness plan. You will leave with the knowledge to improve mobility, increase stability, develop strength and power, and lose a few pounds. Camp skills With over 315 miles of coastline and 13 lighthouses, Door County is truly a paddler’s paradise. Join local paddlers Terrie and Tim as they take you on a visual journey highlighting their favorite paddling destinations and launch sites in northern Door. They’ll share tips on launching and experiencing the bounty of cultural and natural resources found along their favorite paddling routes and reveal favorite camping, lodging, and eateries along the way. They will discuss the unique geology and ecology of this beautiful county and the efforts taking place to protect its coastlines. Sam Crowley Haida Gwaii An archipelago off the coast of northern British Columbia, Haida Gwaii is a world-class paddling destination worthy of a spot on any paddler’s bucket list. Dynamic and challenging paddling Pool demo (Clarion Suites) Sea kayaking is all fun and games till someone gets lost, run over by a boat, or stepped on by Godzilla. Seriously, keeping a group together and safe is a big challenge for leaders. This presentation covers concepts, strategies, and techniques of leading a group and managing risks in calm and advanced conditions. Developed in professional instructing and guiding environments, much of what is covered transfers into other settings such as paddling with friends, family, and in horror movies. Planning a Paddling Expedition What does it take to be an expedition paddler? How can you prepare to be self-supported for weeks or months in wild, unfamiliar places? Forward thinking, a detailed planning process, and a flexible strategy are essential for facing the inevitable challenges (both known and unknown) that come with undertaking an expedition. Come see how one experienced expedition paddler does it! Ann Dunphy Wilderness Medicine abc w Ne Some day you may find yourself in a location that will have delayed access to medical care, limited equipment and a hostile environment. Explore the general principles of remote medicine before your next outdoor adventure. Ann will discuss preventative medicine with the ultimate goal: come back safely from your next adventure with a ton of pictures, awesome memories, new skills, and perhaps some new friends! Don Easley Fishin’ the Canoe Country abc Learn how to catch more walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike in the North Woods Youth & family Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 29 PRESENTATIONS without carrying in 25 pounds of tackle and live bait. Find where to look for active fish, the best bait to use, and which color of bait will be most effective. Discover how to keep fishing when it’s too windy for most people. Determine how deep the water is without a fish locator. Pick up safer and easier methods of handling, cleaning, and frying up a stringer of walleye for shore lunch. If you are not catching all the fish you want, stop in and pick up a few secrets. with great laughs and paddling. They have perfected systems for packing gear, planning meals and food preparation. Whether it’s the lakes of Killarney or the French River, they are ready for any conditions. They are excited to share their suggestions for all ladies interested in a girls’ paddling trip. Their years of practice will give you some great ideas for your next big trip in to the wilderness. Al Fairfield Kids, Canoes, Fishing, and Fun: Successful Strategies abc The secret to a great outing with kids is a little pre-planning and knowing a few key things. Shorten the learning curve with tips to make the experience fun and successful. If you are ready to take a youngster or inexperienced adult on their first fishing or canoeing adventure, this is the program for you! Share in an interactive program with the equipment, modifications, and tools Al uses as a guide on the water. Cliff Fawcett Social Media for the Paddler abc You love canoeing, kayaking, and paddling of all types, but how can you connect with other paddlers? What are the best places to go? How can you find out specifics on outfitters, put-ins and take-outs? How can you find out what’s going on in the paddling community? The answers to these questions and more are available on social media. Experience the best social media has to offer and learn tips and tricks for using Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Tumblr, and others. Dave & Amy Brought to you by MTI Adventurewear & Wenonah / Current Designs Across the Continent by Kayak, Canoe, and Dogsled National Geographic Adventurers of the Year, Dave and Amy Freeman began a three-year, 11,700-mile journey across North America on Earth Day of 2010. Their human-powered trek took them from Bellingham, Washington, to Key West, Florida, via the Arctic. From coming eye-to-eye with humpback whales and grizzly bears to kayaking past Manhattan during rush hour and hunkering down as Superstorm Sandy battered the New Jersey coast, the Freemans have an unforgettable story to share. w Ne Traditional Greenland Rolling Learn about the art of traditional Greenlandstyle rolling. From basic techniques and skills to advanced rolls, learn how these graceful techniques were originally developed. See how the paddle isn’t the core of the technique but how the paddler is the driving force of any roll or rescue technique. Bethany Fosdyck & w Lorna Cook Ne Two Canucks and a Mennonite abc Every year three women leave their husbands at home and set out for a week of solitude, filled 30 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 Doug Gilmore It Was Just a Little Snow: Woodland Caribou Provincial Park Join Doug for the latest updates on the wilderness paddling opportunities in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park located near Red Lake, Ontario. Learn about the weather event called Featured speaker Gail Green Sea Kayak Brittany: France’s Northern Coast Enormous tidal ranges meet spectacular coastlines providing sea kayakers with a delightful paddling playground! On the softer side, quiet water estuaries weave paddlers through villages and manicured gardens reminiscent of the Celtic roots of northern Brittany culture. Hiking the famed Pink Granite Coast is an enchanting journey through immense naturally-sculpted boulders and arches. All this laced with French cheese, bread, wine, and a restored fourth century villa. A musical slide jam concludes this presentation and voila, c’est tout! Peter Grubb Freeman Tim Gallaway a “snow-down” that the park experienced in October 2012 and the effects on the park’s backcountry activities. Find out what efforts have been made since to improve travel in the park as well as plans for the future. Winter Paddling Bliss: Baja’s Legendary Waters & Whales The iconic, red-hued peaks and turquoise waters of Baja have captivated sea kayakers for decades. With abundant underwater life, tremendous whale activity, and margaritas on the beach, Baja’s rich wilderness hosts wonders to explore for outdoorsy people of all pursuits. Discover why the desert islands of the Sea of Cortez remain North America’s classic winter paddling destination. Dan Henderson What Makes an Efficient Forward Stroke? abc w Ne What really makes a kayak go? How can I sustain my paddling for longer periods of time, keep up, and explore more distant destinations? How do I paddle so my joints don’t hurt? What’s the story on high and low angle? Kayak forward stroke efficiency is defined as the distance the kayak travels for each stroke. Dan will outline simple concepts that you can incorporate into your kayaking technique to go farther and with greater endurance, based on his world-renowned graduate-level research in kayak forward stroke biomechanics. abc Newbie-friendly skills Ontario presenters PRESENTATIONS Wayne Horodowich Essential Equipment For Paddling abc Whether you go out for a day, a week, or a month, there are certain skills and equipment that paddlers need to make the most out of their trips. Join Wayne for an enthusiastic give-andtake discussion where he will share his “Must Have” list with you so you can better enjoy your own adventures on the water. How To Choose The Kayak That Works Best For You abc Trying to choose a kayak can be overwhelming from the seemingly endless variety of boats available in the marketplace. Your goal is to find the boat that fits your needs and your budget. If you want a step-by-step approach to finding the kayak that works best for you, join Wayne for a dynamic and detailed discussion. Wayne will draw upon his 30-plus years of teaching kayaking and fitting paddlers into kayaks so they can have an enjoyable experience. groups. For example, how do you make oatmeal for eight on a one-burner trail stove without burning the porridge? Solo Canoeing in Lapland In June 2011, Cliff Jacobson and friends paddled 100 miles of remote, rapid-filled rivers in Arctic Norway and Finland. The trip began with a tundra portage that wandered uphill for 12 hours! Their folding solo canoes had to be dragged over land and through river shallows. Most rapids rated Class III and often ran for miles. They ended their trip at the Sami community of Kautikeino where they toured the world-famous Juhls Silver Gallery (amazing!). Later, in Oslo they were in awe of ancient Viking ships, the Kon-Tiki and Fridtjof Nansen’s Arctic expedition ship, the Fram. 40 Favorites for Canoeing and Camping abc Cliff has been canoeing and camping for more than 60 years, and over time he has formed strong opinions about what works and what doesn’t. In this new, fast-paced seminar, he’ll show 40 of his favorite canoeing and camping items, and tell why he likes them. Tips and laughs are naturally part of the game. The session ends with a mini-rant on tents. Cooking Secrets abc Here’s a wealth of food ideas that will make your canoeing and camping trips more fun. Emphasis is on fast-to-prepare entrees that take no more than 20 minutes to make. Discover Pita Pizza, Tortilla Melts, Northwoods Stir Fry, Garlic-Cheese Pita Melts and Egg McPita, Caramel Tortillas, tricks for preparing meals in cold, blustery weather and ideas for large 32 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 Travel Like a Wilderness Guide w Ne If you’ve always wanted to pick up a canoe and portage like the “big boys,” then this energetic, hands-on workshop is for you. For decades the Northern Lakes Girl Scout Canoe Base has been training women and girls to travel through the BWCAW and Quetico Parks. They specialize in teaching novices to feel like pros regardless of size or experience. Learn tips and tricks for women and youth in the wilderness, and practice specific techniques to flip up and portage canoes. Pete Kuhn Getting that Perfect Fit Marty Koch Paddling Adventures In The Ozarks The Ozarks is a vast area of low mountains, deep valleys, and amazing paddling in Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas. Over 10,000 miles of streams course through the rugged countryside, offering everything from gentle waters to raging Class V whitewater. Many have heard of the more famous streams like the Current, Jack’s Fork, and Buffalo. But there are nearly a hundred others with names like the Big Pine, Mulberry, Gasconade, Huzzah, Kings River, and the North Fork of the White. Joe Kochevar Treasures of the Apostle Islands En route through this presentation you’ll vicariously experience the multitude of features that bring adventurous paddlers here each year; breathtaking sea caves, emerald green waters, Featured speaker Doris Kolodji Power to the Pipsqueaks: Everyone Can Paddle, Portage, & Pack abc Rob Kesselring Rob will share canoe camping tips and secrets from hundreds of trips: planning, packing, paddling, navigation, campsite selection, weather concerns, wildlife issues, the three essential knots, whitewater challenges, cooking, fire building, group dynamics, open-water crossings, and more. Cliff Jacobson historic shipwrecks, remote beaches, and stunning lighthouses. Of course the power of Lake Superior has shaped many a destiny over the years, and no Superior story is complete without its mention. This talk/demonstration will cover how to make adjustments to the inside of a kayak cockpit. These will cover seat and foot peg adjustments and modifications, how to customize thigh braces with foam — all using a cutaway kayak to show possible placement of modifications. Materials and shaping techniques will also be discussed. Mary Langlie Paddling Through the Ages abc This session will explore the many ways we can experience the joy of paddling, no matter our age. Young children, teens, and adults of all ages can find opportunities to challenge themselves and build relationships with family and friends through canoeing, kayaking, and stand up paddle boards. Paddling is truly a family-friendly sport that can last through a lifetime! abc Newbie-friendly skills Ontario presenters PRESENTATIONS Ben Lawry Brought to you by P&H Kayaks & Lendal Paddles Biomechanics of Paddling abc Four of the main components of successful paddling are interactively played with in this session. Join Ben to discover how sitting and balance will affect your paddling and your boat choice. We will look at power, where it comes from, and how it is transmitted to your kayak. Dry Land Rolling Rolling is the holy grail of kayaking: a skill that most people would benefit from mastering for reasons of safety, confidence, and sheer fun of it. Join Ben for a look at a couple of dependable rolls that will work in all situations and get you quickly paddling again in a strong, safe position. Having attended the dry land rolling session, join Ben at the pool where you can see the theory put into practice. The Rescue Progression Pool Rolling Diane Leavy Rolling is a lot easier to demonstrate in a controlled environment like a warm hotel pool. Join Ben as he breaks down the two basic types of rolls and shows you the parts and how they relate to the paddler. Ben highly recommends that you first attend his Dry Land Rolling classroom session as there are many subtleties missed by coming straight to the pool. The Big Three: Drysuit, Life Jacket, and Sprayskirt abc Dress for immersion! Ben will teach you how to correctly use a sprayskirt and paddling attire. What is the correct fit and size of a lifejacket? How do you put on and take off a drysuit without being a contortionist? What do you wear underneath it? Ben will tell you. Ben Lawry and Steve Scheerer show a progression of kayak rescues that most paddlers should master. They use their 60+ years of experience teaching paddling to show folks tricks they can use to have success when practicing rescues. Brought to you by Cascade Designs w Ne Load and Go Paddling! abc Whether you’re headed out in your kayak for several weeks or just for the weekend, loading your boat is a special skill that takes practice, time, and patience to master. Diane Leavy has been paddling the waters of southern British Columbia and Washington for several decades. Join her for a presentation featuring handy tips and strategies for packing your boat for both short and long trips. TIPS ON HOW TO TAKE A FRIEND PADDLING: Meet them where they are, especially at first. We’ve got some adopted nieces who we took camping in ‘13. Their mom was glad for the invite, but cautioned that she didn’t think the girls would like it. Their father—a serious, hard-core backwoods hiker—had tried to take them the year before and it wasn’t successful. He had wanted them to experience the outdoors as he loved it, but it wasn’t the experience they were ready for. Because they were “City Girls” we decided we’d let them have our pop-up as it offered comfy beds, privacy, and a furnace if needed. Flush toilets were nearby. We camped overlooking a most beautiful valley. We took a short but lovely paddle. We took a quick hike. I let the kids cook their own hot dogs over the campfire. I showed them how use a Dutch oven to make cinnamon rolls for dessert. We told stories by the firelight. It was a great re-introduction to camping for them. They’re actually looking forward to our next trip together. Have one at least one secondary/alternate route planned. I’ve been on some trips where the trip leader had a grand plan for a Big Honkin’ Paddle. Generally, that’s great. But what if someone (typically the new guy, not always) in the troupe ends up not having a good time? Even if they can muddle through to the original take-out, their bad memories are going to color their experience. The longer the trip, the more secondary or tertiary routes you need to plan for, especially with newcomers. It makes trip planning trickier, but hey, that’s why you’re the super-awesome leader. You’ve thought ahead, you’ve got options planned, and outstanding outcomes are in the bag. — Jim P. Camp skills Pool demo (Clarion Suites) Youth & family Call: 1-800-295-0042 www.maloneautoracks.com CAR RACK ACCESSORIES SPORT TRAILERS Malone Auto Racks, 81 County Road, Westbrook, Maine 04092 Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 33 PRESENTATIONS or “How can I load my boat by myself?” you’ll want to check out this seminar. Learn tips for choosing the right kayak and gear to suit your needs as well as techniques for carrying, loading, launching your kayak and more! Stand Up Paddleboarding: Beyond Bikinis and Surfer Dudes abc Anna Levesque SUP Yoga Demo abc Anna demonstrates how to practice yoga on a paddleboard for fun, balance and relaxation. She’ll go over the benefits of an SUP Yoga practice and teach poses that you can try on your own. If you haven’t been introduced to SUP yoga, this is your opportunity to come find out what it’s all about! Kayaking Tips for Women abc If you’ve been asking yourself questions like: “Am I strong enough to do that?” or “Is there a graceful way to get in and out of my boat?” Stand up paddleboarding (SUP) is becoming more and more popular on lakes and rivers across the US. Learn about board materials, equipment, and paddling techniques. Find out why SUP is great and how it keeps you healthy and balanced. This talk will give you the basics you need to start exploring the world of stand up paddleboarding in a setting that is comfortable and friendly to all body types and ages. Yoga for Paddling abc Relax, stretch, strengthen, and balance in this gentle yoga class designed specifically for paddlers. We’ll target the areas of the body specific to paddling to stretch the muscles that we overuse and strengthen the muscles that we under-use. No previous yoga experience necessary and beginners are welcome! Please bring your own yoga mat or towel and wear comfortable, stretchy clothes. Christopher Lockyer w Ne A Fun Day on the Bay of Fundy The Bay of Fundy boasts the largest tidal range in the world. Come on a journey exploring the many moods of the Bay of Fundy. The Bay is home to many different species of whales as well as an abundance of different sea life. This presentation is in support of the Bay of Fundy Sea Kayak Symposium. Amy Lukas & Mary Catterlin Brought to you by MTI Adventurewear How to Plan a Ridiculous Dream Trip and Survive It: Lake Michigan in a Dugout When Mary Catterlin started hand-carving a cottonwood tree into a dugout canoe, Amy Lukas knew they were in for an adventure. Come hear the comical and inspiring story of two girls chasing their dream using scrapyard know-how and thrifty ingenuity aboard a tree-boat. While telling the story of their 93-day/1200-mile trip around Lake Michigan, they will provide you with tips on planning and surviving a ridiculous dream trip of your own. Paddling and the Arts Ever since someone by the water’s edge suddenly improvised a story, sang some music, or a sketched out a drawing— ok... ever since recorded history—there has been a link between water and the arts. As we developed the skills of paddling, the arts have followed along with it as well. We are proud to feature a variety of speakers who have been inspired by water and paddling: Jim Pfitzer, Actor; Peter Olsen, Natalie Warren, & Anna Johnson, Filmmakers; Jerry Vandiver & The One Match Band, Musicians; Geri Schrab, Painter; John Van Den Brandt, Photographer; and too many authors to mention here. See www.canoecopia.com 34 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 Featured speaker abc Newbie-friendly skills Ontario presenters PRESENTATIONS Scott MacGregor Trip Stories That Don’t Suck: The Art of Great Adventure Writing abc Step inside an editor’s office and learn the simple rules of great adventure writing, better blogging, sizzling slideshows, and journals that jump off the page. Scott offers a practical and lighthearted guide for adventurers packing pens as well as paddles. Learn about the Nut Graf, how to use contributor guidelines, and how to write good queries. Learn why nobody cares about your blueberry pancakes. Discover how to avoid the six adventure-writing pitfalls and the cliché adventure story. Darrell Makin w Ne Paddling the Coast of Pukaskwa National Park: A Trip of a Lifetime Pukaskwa National Park is in essence “A Camp skills Wildshore on an Inland Sea” and nowhere on any Great Lake is this more true than here. This wilderness national park is a part of the longest undeveloped shoreline on any of the Great Lakes, stretching over 200 kilometers. It is rugged, remote, and beautiful. Paddling it will change you forever. Join Darrell for a trip of a lifetime as he shares stories of his many adventures along this incredible coast. Kim McCluskey Cinque Terre by Kayak Paddle the Italian Riviera’s Ligurian Sea beneath stunning cliffs and ancient Italian villages. Lunch in tiny family-run Italian restaurants. Hike the path along the cliffs, paddle to grottos, visit a medieval abbey, and eat a sumptuous dinner of seafood pasta, local wines, and roasted peppers in local olive oil. Drift off to sleep in a 400-year-old guesthouse. This trip offers Italy’s charm and gourmet cuisine combined with the freedom and fun of paddling on bright water. Pool demo (Clarion Suites) Youth & family Don McCumber w Ne Kayak Camping 101: Everglades National Park Kayak Camping abc Escape from the cold to a place where paddlers enjoy pristine waters all year. When the lakes and rivers up north are frozen, that’s the best time for camping in Everglades National Park. Join Don to learn some of the “Do’s and Don’ts” of kayak camping... some applicable to wilderness camping anywhere, but many tips geared specifically for camping on the beautiful beaches and chickees in Everglades National Park. In his talk, Don will explain how this incredible experience can be enjoyed by first-timers to advanced paddlers. Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 35 PRESENTATIONS The Xtreme Dream: The Role of Kayakers in Diana Nyad’s Swim from Cuba to Florida Don was Captain of Diana Nyad’s Xtreme Dream Kayak Team and will talk about the challenges Diana and her support team faced during her epic swim from Havana, Cuba, to Key West, Florida in the summer of 2013. He will be showing some previously unreleased GoPro video clips and pictures taken during Nyad’s successful swim. O. Ross McIntyre Ontario’s Rideau Canal by Canoe The 120-mile-long Rideau Canal connects Kingston, Ontario, with Ottawa and is operated for recreational boating by Parks Canada. Because of the historic and cultural aspects of the canal, it has been recognized as a United Nations World Heritage site. A transit pass enables canoeists to camp at garden-like lock stations along the canal as one passes through lakes, historic towns, and rural countryside to an exciting finish at the Ottawa River near the Canadian Houses of Parliament. This trip, ideal for seniors and families, will be shared through stories and photos. save yourself a lot of grief by learning from the experience and mistakes of long-time paddler and instructor, Sherri Mertz. Make smarter equipment purchases the first time, speed your learning curve, and avoid risks and dangers you may not even be aware of! Reggie McLeod Paddling the Upper Mississippi River Reggie will explain why and how to paddle the most interesting stretch of the largest river in America, whether you want to paddle a short loop through the backwaters or a long-distance odyssey to the Gulf of Mexico. He’ll cover opportunities to join group paddles, how the river works, locking through, river wildlife, and how to get quality maps and other useful resources for a river adventure. After the presentation he will make available detailed river maps and other useful materials. Sherri Mertz Things I Wish I’d Known When I Started Kayaking abc There is so much to learn when you start kayaking and so much equipment to acquire. You can Scott Mestrezat w Ne Stand Up Paddleboarding the Length of the Missouri River Scott Mestrezat launched from Three Forks, Montana, on a home-made, wooden stand up paddleboard on June 7, 2013, with 100 pounds of gear strapped to the deck. His aim was to Continued on page 41 SOME FACTS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT Rutabaga has been awarded Magazine’s Retailer of the Year Award a record eight times. We’ve won some of these too. Not sure how many. We have a full-service repair department to fix your boat. We rent canoes, kayaks and SUP boards right at the shop. 36 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 Featured speaker abc Newbie-friendly skills Ontario presenters PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS CANOECOPIA IS jam-packed with things to do and see. Use this 4-page pull-out section to keep track of speakers and events happening throughout the weekend. Aluminum Chef Competition Our crowd-pleasing cook-off returns Saturday, 4:30. Quetico Room Finding Farley—a Film A family treks to visit writer Farley Mowat Friday, 7:30 & Saturday, 4:30. Superior Room THE Aluminum Chefs are back! Once again, our three chefs will test their camp culinary skills against each other in true outdoor style. Using MSR stoves and cook kits and a pantry of simple ingredients you might have on your next camping trip, outdoorsmen Marty Koch and Kevin Callan will again compete against our local Chef Joey Dunscombe of Madison’s Weary Traveler Freehouse. Come join the fun – you could be one of the judges from the audience who will determine the winner of each course! IN this full-length documentary, husband-and-wife team Karsten Heuer and Leanne Allison (Being Caribou), along with their 2-year-old son and dog, retrace the literary footsteps of Canadian writer Farley Mowat. Rather than fly or drive the thousands of kilometers to see this aging Canadian icon, they paddle east from Calgary towards the Prairies (the geography of Born Naked and Owls in the Family). They then traverse the same paths that Farley took more than 60 years earlier, which became the foundation for Never Cry Wolf and People of the Deer. Their epic 5,000 km journey—trekking, sailing, portaging and paddling—ends in the Maritimes, at Mowat’s Nova Scotian summer home. Produced by the National Film Board of Canada, this film compares two views of Canada—one of the iconic Canadian author, the other of the adventuring family. Told in part through the exchange of letters between the two, the family’s journey culminates after five months of travel when the pilgrims finally meet their hero face-to-face. Finding Farley is a powerful pilgrimage that explores our relationship to the land and the power of stories. Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 37 SPEAKER SCHEDULE Voyageur Atrium Bear Caribou M. Langlie Paddling Through the Ages S. Scherrer Understanding Boat Design D. Mongno Selecting the Perfect Kayak Paddle D. McCumber Kayak Camping in Everglades National Park R. Bekolay Kayak Fishing 101: Getting Started C. Scherrer Paddle Like a Girl D.Caneff & E. Courtenay Asian Carp & Invasives S. Crowley Group Leadership and Managing Risk D. Leavy Load and Go Paddling J. Browning Injuries and Illness Common to the Paddler 6:30 B. Perry Holy Water: The “Zen” of Paddling S. Mertz J. Vore Things I Wish I’d Known Repairs in the Field When I Started Kayaking S. Nelson Planning your BWCA Adventure W. Horodowich Essential Equipment For Paddling 7:30 Wright, Koscik & Bourquin Wooden Boats A. Levesque SUP: Beyond Bikinis & Surfer Dudes B. Lawry The Big Three: Drysuit, Life Jacket, and Sprayskirt J. Pfitzer Aldo Leopold: A Standard of Change W. Horodowich Choosing The Kayak That’s Best For You 9:30 C. Fawcett Social Media for the Paddler B. Perry Holy Water: The “Zen” of Paddling A. Levesque Yoga for Paddling D. Easley Fishin’ the Canoe Country B. Lawry Dry Land Rolling L. Sobota Overcoming Fear: One Stroke at a Time D. Shapiro A Wilderness Experience for Your Youth Group D. Kolodji Everyone Can Paddle, Portage, & Pack J. Buckles & C. Ray Paddling to Winter W. Horodowich Choosing The Kayak That’s Best For You L. Nett I Paddle NYC: Adventures in Urban Paddling S. MacGregor The Art of Great Adventure Writing D. Mongno Selecting the Perfect Kayak Paddle R. Zvirbulis Kayaking the Canyons of Lake Powell B. Paulsen The Land of Sand J. Brown Hygiene Tips for Women in the Wilderness G. Schrab Painting Pictographs: A Spiritual Journey D. Mongno The Forward Stroke D. McCumber Diana Nyad’s Kayak Team W. Horodowich Essential Equipment For Paddling C. Scherrer Paddle Like a Girl D. Henderson What Makes an Efficient Forward Stroke? J. Chase Exercises to Improve Your Paddling S. Crowley Planning a Paddling Expedition P. Ciere Bayou to Backcountry: A Canoe Dog Story Braband, Carr & Esposito Adaptive Paddling J. Bourquin Building and Repairing Wood/Canvas Canoes B. Lawry The Big Three: Drysuit, Life Jacket, & Sprayskirt R. Peterson Conserve the Wolves of Isle Royale Nat’l Park? S. Mestrezat SUP the Length of the Missouri River N. Schroeter Hypothermia J. Browning Navigation 101 for the Coastal Kayaker B. Lawry A. Dunphy Biomechanics of Paddling Wilderness and Rescue Medicine S. Crowley Haida Gwaii A. Levesque SUP: Beyond Bikinis and Surfer Dudes A. Fairfield Kids, Canoes, Fishing, and Fun: Strategies 5th Annual Paddle Club Rendezvous (4:45-6:00pm) J. Pfitzer Aldo Leopold: A Standard of Change D. Walters A Grandmother’s Solo Expedition A. Fairfield Kids, Canoes, Fishing, and Fun: Strategies A. Dunphy Wilderness and Rescue Medicine A. Levesque Yoga for Paddling B. Lawry Dry Land Rolling J. Buckles & C. Ray Paddling to Winter M. Wenholz Overcoming Adversity in the Wilderness J. Browning Navigation 101 for the Coastal Kayaker B. Lawry S. Crowley Biomechanics of Paddling Planning a Paddling Expedition O. McIntyre Ontario’s Rideau Canal by Canoe D. Shapiro A Wilderness Experience for Your Youth Group A. Levesque Kayaking Tips for Women D. Mongno The Forward Stroke D. Easley Fishin’ the Canoe Country D. McCumber Kayak Camping in Everglades National Park 1:30 M. Langlie Paddling Through the Ages J. Bourquin Building and Repairing Wood/Canvas Canoes P. Kuhn Getting that Perfect Fit B. Fosdyck & L. Cook Two Canucks and a Mennonite S. Mestrezat SUP the Length of the Missouri River S. Scherrer Lower Columbia River Water Trail by SUP N. Warren & A. Johnson J. Chase Paddle Forward Exercises to Improve Your Paddling S. Raymond Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula D. Sproule Paddling Georgian Bay 12:30 11:30 10:30 4:30 3:30 2:30 1:30 12:30 11:30 10:30 5:30 4:30 Killarney 2:30 FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY Changes (if needed) will be posted at the Info Booth and at canoecopia.com Hotel 38 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 Upstairs The pool schedule is on page 40 SPEAKER SCHEDULE Revised 2/21 Algonquin BWCA Superior Quetico S. Raymond Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula G. Green Sea Kayak France’s Northern Coast B. Rees Ontario’s Northwest Wilderness Parks J. Bates Birding Northern Lakes and Rivers C. Jacobson Cooking Secrets G. Anderson The Lower Canyons of the Rio Grande M. Abbotts Kayak Circumnavigation of Russia’s Lake Baikal A. Lukas & M. Catterlin R. Kesselring Lake Michigan in a Travel Like a Wilderness Dugout Canoe Guide R. Zvirbulis Kayaking the Canyons of Lake Powell M. Koch Paddling Adventures In The Ozarks J. Vandiver & Band D. & A. Freeman K. Callan Songs for the Heart of the Across the Continent by Once Around Algonquin: Paddler Kayak, Canoe, & Dogsled An Epic Canoe Jounrey D. Makin Paddling the Coast of Pukaskwa National Park D. Alvarez Predictably Lost: Minnesota to Florida & Back The Savoie Family Quetico Play List Finding Farley — A Film T. Cooper & T. Pflieger Door County: A Paddler’s Paradise 7:30 S. Scherrer Understanding Boat Design M. Koch Paddling Adventures In The Ozarks D. Perry Three Men, Two Countries, & the River Between K. McCluskey Cinque Terre by Kayak C. Jacobson 40 Favorites for Canoeing and Camping 9:30 D. Sproule Paddling Georgian Bay G. Green Sea Kayak France’s Northern Coast M. Schroeder-Beers The Unpacking of Mr. Food L. Ricker Boundary Waters For Newbies C. Jacobson 40 Favorites for Canoeing and Camping (repeat) S. Mertz D. Alvarez Things I Wish I’d Known Predictably Lost : MinneWhen I Started Kayaking sota to Florida & Back S. Nelson Planning your BWCA Adventure J. Bates Birding Northern Lakes and Rivers M. & M. Morrall Paddling Southern WI & Northern IL G. Anderson The Lower Canyons of the Rio Grande P. Grubb Baja’s Legendary Waters & Whales E. Boomer Project Q: An Expedition Across Baffin Island G. Blust Exploring Isle Royale National Park K. Callan Once Around Algonquin: An Epic Canoe Jounrey D. Bungard Kayak Fishing on the Allagash Waterway The Savoie Family Quetico Play List J. Van Den Brandt Wildlife Photography: Tips to Inspire D. & A. Freeman J. Kochevar Across the Continent by Treasures of the Apostle Kayak, Canoe, & Dogsled Islands 1:30 N. Warren & A. Johnson B. Rees Paddle Forward Ontario’s Northwest Wilderness Parks C. Wright Paddling America’s Everglades National Park J. Bates The Farthest Side of Wildlife Ecology K. Salwey The Dogs and I: Tales from a River Rat 2:30 A. Levesque Kayaking Tips for Women R. McLeod Paddling the Upper Mississippi River J. Vandiver & Band T. Cooper & T. Pflieger Songs for the Heart of the Door County: A Paddler Paddler’s Paradise S. Nelson Unique BWCA Sites You Should Visit 3:30 J. Chase Designing Your Personal Exercise Program R. Bekolay Kayak Fishing 101: Getting Started C. Lockyer A Fun Day on the Bay of Fundy Finding Farley — A Film Aluminum Chef Competition D. Henderson What Makes an Efficient Forward Stroke? C. Wright Paddling America’s Everglades National Park J. Van Den Brandt Wildlife Photography: Tips to Inspire L. Ricker Boundary Waters For Newbies K. Callan Once Around Algonquin: An Epic Canoe Jounrey D. Makin Paddling the Coast of Pukaskwa National Park Williamson & Porter Planning a Fishing-based Wilderness Canoe Trip E. Boomer Project Q: An Expedition across Baffin Island M. Schroeder-Beers The Unpacking of Mr. Food M. & M. Morrall Paddling Southern WI & Northern IL R. Mullen Bears, a Boot and a Boat in the Brooks Range S. Nelson Unique BWCA Sites You Should Visit K. Salwey The Dogs and I: Tales from a River Rat FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 2:30 G. Blust Exploring Isle Royale National Park 1:30 P. Grubb Baja’s Legendary Waters & Whales 10:30 11:30 12:30 R. Kesselring Travel Like a Wilderness Guide R. McLeod Paddling the Upper Mississippi River 4:30 P. Ciere Bayou to Backcountry: A Canoe Dog Story 10:30 11:30 12:30 C. Jacobson Solo Canoeing in Lapland 6:30 R. Peterson D. Gilmore J. Vandiver & Band J. Kochevar Conserve the Wolves of Just a Little Snow: Wood- Songs for the Heart of the Treasures of the Apostle Isle Royale National Park? land Caribou Prov. Park Paddler Islands 5:30 S. Brede K. McCluskey Circumnavigation of Lake Cinque Terre by Kayak Erie L. Ricker Memories from the Boundary Waters 4:30 Sylvania Downstairs The pool schedule is on page 40 Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 39 SPEAKER SCHEDULE & HIGHLIGHTS B. Lawry Pool Rolling S. & A. Bloyd-Peshkin Troubleshooting Your T‑Rescue B. Lawry & S. Scherrer The Rescue Progression K. Wikle Power and Stability through Linked Strokes R. Bekolay B. Lawry Kayak Angling: 5 Essential Pool Rolling Skills A. Levesque SUP Yoga Demo B. Lawry & S. Scherrer The Rescue Progression S. & A. Bloyd-Peshkin Troubleshooting Your T‑Rescue T. Gallaway Traditional Greenland Rolling D. Mongno SUP Made Easy D. Mongno SUP Made Easy 2:30 1:00 SUNDAY 1:30 SATURDAY 2:00 12:30 12:00 POOL DEMOS — CLARION HOTEL Get involved, informed, active 5th Annual Paddle Club Rendezvous at Canoecopia Saturday, March 8, 4:45-6:00pm, Atrium (Upstairs) Ready to Launch? Boat PFD ? Don’t miss this opportunity for paddlers from all over the Midwest to: ■■ network with other paddlers in your community and region ■■ share information about your club Paddles ■■ discover new paddling destinations Paddling partners ■■ plan joint activities ■■ recruit new members Drawings for great prizes! Drawing at 5:45pm. Must be present to win. If your paddling club would like to participate, contact Tom Lindblade of the Illinois Paddling Council by March 1st at lindbladet@sbcglobal.net. Pool Demonstration Notes ■■ Pool demonstrations have signifcant capacity limitations. Due to fire code restrictions we’re limited to 99 people. ■■ Since they’re so popular and space is limited, we clear out the audience before each new demonstration. ■■ Line up early to see the demonstrations you’re excited about. American Canoe Association Midwest Division Meeting Saturday, March 8, 2014, 6:30 – 7:15 pm Voyageur Room, Clarion Hotel Founded in 1880, The American Canoe Association (ACA) is a national nonprofit organization serving the paddling public by providing education related to all aspects of paddling, stewardship support to help protect paddling environments, and sanctioning of programs and events to promote paddlesport competition and recreation. The ACA Midwest Division encompasses Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. This eleven-state region abounds with great paddling opportunities, a wealth of outstanding paddlers, and over 1000 ACA members. The ACA Midwest Division Meeting is a chance for all paddlers to learn about the ACA and the value of membership for individuals or clubs, and to explore the role the ACA plays in our region. With input from paddlers in the ACA Midwest Division we can provide a unified voice to the national organization on what the needs are regionally, collaborate on instructional & education programs, identify paddling/conservation initiatives worth recognizing, and ensure that the region is represented as one of the largest paddling communities in the entire country. 40 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 Join us for this interactive, educational, and fun meeting. Bring a friend, club member, or anyone you paddle with so we can get to know you and together explore how the American Canoe Association can better serve the region! PRESENTATIONS continued from page 36 be the first person to SUP the length of the Missouri River. He accomplished that goal 107 days later when he paddled into St. Louis. An avid photographer and filmmaker, Scott will show photographs and video clips as he relates stories from his life-changing trip down the Muddy Mo. more efficiently. Join Danny as he starts with the paddle, defining low-angle and high-angle paddling, paddle fit options, proper lengths, and then reveals paddle fit guidelines that work for everyone. From there we will dissect some everyday strokes and see how you will be using less energy and having more fun on the water. Whether you are sea kayaking, fishing, or quietly exploring the waters in your back yard, this seminar is for you. SUP Made Easy abc Danny Mongno Brought to you by Werner Paddles Selecting the Perfect Kayak Paddle abc The sure-fire way to guarantee more fun while paddling is to use less energy by using a properly fitted paddle and learn how to perform strokes Camp skills Danny loves talking about SUP. He will cover information about stand up paddling, catering to the entry-level to mid-range skill paddler. He also invites advanced paddlers who may be looking to learn some teaching skills to help others. This will be an interactive seminar, so get ready to follow along on land while Danny teaches on water. You will walk away with skills and exercises to take home that will advance your SUP paddling. The Forward Stroke abc Whether you’re on a SUP board or in your kayak, the forward stroke is your most common stroke. See how similar techniques can be Pool demo (Clarion Suites) Youth & family applied to maximize efficiency regardless of your boat. Join Danny as he gives some simple tips to make your stroke more efficient and allow you to use less energy on the water. This is an interactive seminar, so be ready to join along as Danny demonstrates. You’ll have plenty of drills to take home and work on. Mark & Merri Morrall Paddling Southern Wisconsin & Northern Illinois Mark and Merri will take you on a video excursion down a variety of the best rivers in Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. They’ll share details on a diverse mix of streams. You’ll witness the pleasure of paddling past sheer rock cliffs and through deep-cut valleys. You’ll experience the thrill of paddling down fast, turbulent creeks as well as the peacefulness of floating down a lazy river. Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 41 PRESENTATIONS Rob Mullen w Ne Bears, a Boot, and a Boat in the Brooks Range This is a firsthand account of a solo traverse of Alaska’s Schwatka Mountains above the Arctic Circle with a canoe. It was the second—and by far the most difficult—of three expeditions that circumnavigated the western Brooks Range. Young black bears vandalized Rob’s gear and stole one of his Chota boots. He was stuck in “alder hell” for a week, ran short of food, and was ambushed by a hungry grizzly. Nonetheless, the expedition succeeded in all of its goals in support of a developing Boreal Forest exhibition. Steven Nelson Planning your BWCA Adventure abc Have you wanted to experience the Boundary Waters (BWCAW) for years, but don’t know where to begin? Come find out the details of planning your wilderness adventure from an outfitter’s view. Learn about necessary permits, what to bring, recommended routes, food choices, and more. Unique BWCA Sites You Should Visit mystery, adventure, camaraderie, and fabulous city views. Join Lisa for an urban paddling travelogue. Peter Olsen won’t be able to make Canoecopia 2014 due to new job commitments. We wish him the best and hope he can make Canoecopia 2015. Peter Olsen Holy Water: The “Zen” of Paddling Dipping the blade into the water propels us past our daily lives, our doubts, our worries, and our concerns, and brings us to that place that matters so very much: the landscape and seascape which enables us to come closer to the truths of our lives. Paddling—be it in a canoe, kayak, or SUP—enables us to calm our souls and enliven our spirits. Join Bonnie Perry, a BCU 5-star paddler and coach, ACA L4 Instructor Trainer, and an Episcopal priest who has a completely new take on how immersing ourselves in the world of self-propelled boats makes us better people. w Ne The Singing Wilderness — Behind The Sigurd Olson Documentary Filmmaker Peter Olsen will show excerpts from his work-in-progress about the patron saint of paddlers, Sigurd Olson, the man responsible for the preservation of the BWCAW as we know it, best-selling author of nine books on wilderness including “The Singing Wilderness” and “Listening Point,” and one of the 20th century’s most important conservationists. Peter will talk about how his adventures in shooting the film have afforded him the gift of experiencing firsthand the values Sigurd espoused at the core of everything he ever wrote: the power of wilderness to sustain and rejuvenate our spirit. Traveling the Boundary Waters is more than paddling a canoe. Enhance your next wilderness adventure by visiting unique historical and natural sites. Updated for 2014, come and see map locations and hear stories that will spark your curiosity. Lisa Nett Bonnie Perry Dan Perry w Ne Three Men, Two Countries, and the River Between Dan Perry was invited to paddle a wooden dugout canoe down the Itenez River, which marks the remote border between Bolivia and Brazil. He accepted with enthusiasm. Soon after launching their canoe, Dan and his compatriots — one French, one Australian — discovered a leak that threatened to sink it. The river itself was inundated, making navigation difficult and camping on sandbars impossible. But the generous local people, including a professional fisherman, a Bolivian baker, and a group of Brazilian cattle ranchers, helped to make the expedition a success. w Ne I Paddle NYC—Adventures in Urban Paddling The great outdoors and city living meet near the mouth of Newtown Creek. While it may be a famously polluted waterway, it is the launch location for the North Brooklyn Boat Club and gateway to the East River for many devoted urban paddlers. For a Wisconsin woman who moved east for unknown adventure, the waterways of New York City hold immense 42 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 Bear Paulsen The Land of Sand Saskatchewan boasts the most northerly sand dunes in the world. Bear circled the Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park on a 27-day solo canoe trip. He descended the MacFarlane River’s remote and challenging whitewater, paddled Lake Athabasca, and then ascended the William River. Hear tales of rough portages, forest fires, and whitewater — downstream and upstream! Featured speaker Rolf Peterson New Should We Conserve the Wolves of Isle Royale National Park? Wolves in Isle Royale National Park reached their lowest level — just eight individuals — in 2013. An 80% reduction in ice connections to abc Newbie-friendly skills Ontario presenters PRESENTATIONS the mainland has resulted in extreme inbreeding from genetic isolation. The National Park Service is considering three options: no action, genetic augmentation to attempt to conserve the present population, or restoration of a new population after extinction. Rolf, who has studied wolves and moose on Isle Royale for over forty years, will discuss how genetic augmentation — adding a few wolves from the mainland — appears to be the most conservative and economical alternative and most apt to preserve the ecological integrity of the island. as he reconnects with his beloved landscape, remembers friends and family, and ponders his legacy. Sam Raymond w Ne Adventures In Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula is the upper Midwest’s premier destination for year-round, human-powered recreation. Learn about Lake Superior sea kayaking on the Keweenaw Water Trail and Isle Royale National Park, mountain biking on Copper Harbor’s internationally recognized trail system, hiking the area’s many parks, nature sanctuaries and preserves, canoeing inland lakes, and winter sports too. Join Sam as he shares his stories and prepares you for your next adventure! Barb Rees & John Thomson Bucket List Adventure: Paddling Ontario’s Northwest Wilderness Parks Jim Pfitzer Aldo Leopold: A Standard of Change Set in one evening in and around the famous Wisconsin Shack that inspired much of his writing, this one-man play explores the influences and challenges that led Leopold to pen his book “A Sand County Almanac.” As the sun sets, Leopold walks up the path. It has been 65 years since his death, and as long since he has seen his historic Shack. Awaiting him are surprises, memories, and stories. Join Leopold Camp skills Northwestern Ontario, Canada, is home to three of Ontario Parks’ large, remote (yet accessible), wilderness canoeing parks. Why not consider making this your personal quest to visit Quetico, Wabakimi and Woodland Caribou Provincial Parks in the waterway playground of this tri-park area in the next few years. Join John and Barb as they provide an overview of each park, describing these wilderness gems and illustrating one sample route per park for your trip consideration. This session provides valuable trip planning information to help make your dream paddling trips a reality. Pool demo (Clarion Suites) Youth & family Larry Ricker 20 Years, 50 Trips: Memories from the Boundary Waters In 2012, photographer Larry Ricker celebrated the 20th anniversary of his first trip in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters and also completed his 50th overnight canoe trip in the paddlers’ paradise. Join him for a trip down memory lane as he recounts the high and low points of his journeys. The presentation includes many of the photos he took along the way. Boundary Waters For Newbies abc Larry dishes out all the information you need to know before taking your first trip into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern MN. This presentation explains the permit process and entry points, describes campsites and portages, and provides health and safety information. Larry’s photos, many taken during his three trips in 2013, are used throughout the presentation. Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 43 PRESENTATIONS Steve Scherrer Brought to you by Wilderness Systems Lower Columbia River Water Trail by SUP Kenny Salwey The Dogs and I: Tales from a River Rat Join Kenny Salwey as he remembers the dogs who have shared his life in the backwater swamp along the Upper Mississippi River. From his earliest memories of Brownie, Rover, and Pepper, who helped with chores and hunting trips in the countryside where he grew up, to his faithful black labs Joey and Spider, Kenny recalls the much-loved dogs who enriched his many years hunting, fishing, and just living along the river. These humorous, heartfelt stories will touch anyone who has experienced the companionship of man’s best friend. Michelle, Madeleine, & Joseph Savoie New Quetico Play List Beginners and expert paddlers, an unforgettable eco-adventure awaits you in Quetico! Let the Savoie Family host you in their traditional Voyageur style of joie de vivre or “zest of life.” Come explore Quetico’s culture, history, biodiversity, and amazing wilderness. Cindy Scherrer Brought to you by Wilderness Systems Paddle Like a Girl Paddling is a journey. From the moment you’ve wondered what it would be like to paddle a kayak or a canoe you’ve taken the first step. Do we as women have specific challenges? Some may be overcome with a few tricks and ingenuity. Other obstacles are not so clear and may take some trial and error. With Cindy’s guidance, the goal is to help women access the watery trails they’ve imagined. 44 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 Veteran kayaker Steve Scherrer recently paddled a solo 8-day, self-contained journey down the last 145 miles of the Columbia River on a stand up paddleboard. This is the last leg of the Lewis and Clark trail and Steve happens to live right at the end! Come see some sights of his adventure on the Mighty Columbia and learn how multiday trips are possible on the versatile SUP. Understanding Boat Design abc Understanding how boats are shaped can help anyone become a better paddler. Come learn how different hull shapes are designed for different purposes and how the environment where we paddle and the conditions we choose can contribute to paddling frustration, a BAD thing….or pure bliss, a GOOD thing. Geri Schrab w Ne Painting Pictographs: A Spiritual Journey Join watercolor artist Geri Schrab for a visual, artistic journey to the pictographs of the Greater Lake Superior Region. Visit Missinaibi, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Quetico and the Boundary Waters through the eyes and heart of this artist. What started as a curiosity for Geri in 1993 has evolved into a life-changing spiritual journey. She will speak candidly about visiting and working with these culturally sensitive, ancient, sacred sites. Neal Schroeter w Ne What Every Paddler Should Know About Hypothermia abc So, you say you’ll stay dry? Famous last words! Cold water goes with paddling in the Midwest. Cold water immersion and hypothermia are two of the biggest dangers paddlers face. To stay safe, it’s necessary to have a good understanding on how to prevent, recognize, and potentially treat hypothermia. Dave Shapiro Plan a Wilderness Experience for Your Youth Group abc Team building, leadership training, connecting with nature. Whatever your goal, there is nothing better for a group of teenagers than planning and executing an extended wilderness paddling trip. Help your group put together the trip of a lifetime. Join Dave, an experienced Scout leader, as he covers choosing a destination, obtaining equipment, establishing a budget, crossing the Canadian border, and more. Mona Schroeder-Beers The Unpacking of Mr. Food abc Mr. Food is a canvas Camp Kitchen Pack that has dutifully carried food and food prep items. Thirty years of tips will be unpacked as Mona shares secrets and stories of a wellperfected wilderness camping menu. If you’re looking to pack food that is lightweight and nutritious, attend this session. Featured speaker Lenore Sobota Overcoming Fear: One Stroke at a Time abc There is no shot that can immunize you against fear — but you can inoculate yourself in other ways. From progressive exposure to refocused attention, learn a few strategies for managing abc Newbie-friendly skills Ontario presenters photo: Nick Doll Helga Goebel, Cody White & Anthony Berry, on their 25 mile paddle from Key West to the Marquesas! Riviera Team Rider Helga Goebel & Cody White paddling the Ron House 12’6” Coastal Cruiser... Anthony paddling the Riviera 12’6” Voyager... Photo: Charles Dasher PADDLES PRESENTATIONS John Van Den Brandt your fears and not letting them get in the way of enjoying your time on the water. Share your ideas with others. You might even find yourself whistling a happy tune. Wildlife Photography: Shots to Admire — Tips to Inspire abc Join professional wildlife photographer John Van Den Brandt as he shares his photographic strategies ranging from preparation to real-world field advice for capturing that “golden wildlife photo opportunity” on your next adventure. John illustrates this all-new presentation with his incredible wildlife images, many of which have appeared in his nationally-distributed calendars. Dave Sproule Georgian Bay: Paddling Champlain’s “Freshwater Sea” G’Bay has a significant “cool” factor. The Bay has two World Biosphere Reserves along its shores. It’s got history: French explorers like Champlain, missionaries, and the IroquoisHuron wars of the 1600s. It boasts significant habitats for rare species, ancient fossil beds, and the geology of the 30,000 Islands. It has inspiring scenery and, of course, lots of paddling. Dave will talk about coastal kayaking, interior canoe tripping, and day tripping for everyone in parks like Killarney, French River, Killbear, and the Massasauga. Jerry Vandiver & The One Match Band Songs for the Heart of the Paddler Jeremy Vore Back to Canoecopia by popular demand, awardwinning songwriter Jerry Vandiver has song credits on over 15 million records and paddling credits on countless rivers, streams, and lakes across North America. Jerry has combined his music and paddling passions in the creation of a CD entitled “True And Deep — Songs For The Heart Of The Paddler.” He’ll be performing these songs and more with The One Match Band for a unique addition to your Canoecopia experience. TIPS FOR TAKING A FRIEND PADDLING w Ne Repairs in the Field Most paddlers carry repair kits, but few have actually used them or understand all of the various techniques and methods that can be used to fix a boat in the field. This learning experience begins with a sledgehammer, an audience member, and a fiberglass kayak. From there, it only gets better as you learn about emergency, on-the-water repairs and durable, land-based fixes that will get even the most catastrophically damaged boat back to a safe take out, all with nothing more than Jeremy’s actual repair kit. THE NEW Check in early and often: Don’t assume that your (new) paddling friends are going to tell you anything. You need to make it clear that you’re not psychic. They need to tell you when they’re tired, sore, or need a bathroom break. Then assume they won’t tell you unless you ask how they’re doing, really. Probe. Ask detailed questions. Don’t assume you’ll get the straight dope with a “How are you?” Don’t get upset when they tell you something that changes the whole Grand Plan. Adapt and overcome. Hydration Matters: Monitor hydration levels of your party, especially in the heat of summer. Declare it “National Hydration Day” and ask everyone to consume some good cool water. Make sure it’s water—not soda, or worse, beer. Once you’re behind the 8-ball on hydration, it is hard to get back to normal. —Jim P. 46 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 CHOOSE ADVENTURE. TRUST TRADITION. Featured speaker abc Newbie-friendly skills Ontario presenters Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 47 Lighter, stronger with higher endurance From short local trips on easy winding rivers to extreme expedition on raging torrents, Twaron supplies the power of aramid. “Nova Craft Canoe has been using aramid fabrics to build safer, stronger, lightweight canoes for more than three decades. We’ve found Twaron to be an excellent partner in helping us bring that power of aramid to our customers,” states Tim Miller, President of Nova Craft. Twaron is engineered with speed, strength and endurance in mind. Canoes and kayaks reinforced with Twaron are extremely rugged, and afford a built-in comfort zone for safe, reliable paddle sports performance. Navigate the waterways with the proven power of aramid… Twaron. TEIJIN ARAMID USA, INC. 801-F Blacklawn Road Conyers, GA 30012 800-451-6586 usainfo@teijinaramid.com www.teijinaramid.com PRESENTATIONS Deb Walters w Ne Expedition Planning: A Grandmother’s Solo Expedition from Maine to Guatemala Imagine planning a 3000-mile solo kayaking expedition from Maine to Guatemala. What skills and gear would you need? How would you obtain sponsors and media coverage? Are you crazy? Join Deb for advice on expedition planning, from mental preparation to researching navigational challenges, from gear selection to custom outfitting your kayak, from food selection to logistics. Finally, how do you keep your family and friends from freaking out? See if a long expedition is in your future, or just come and see what motivates Deb. Keith Wikle Power, Stability, and Control through Linked Strokes In order to progress as paddlers, we learn individual strokes as tools for power, stability or control. As we develop, we can begin thinking about how one stroke leads into the next for more than one purpose. We can rely on how strokes work together to provide power, stability, and control simultaneously. This fun pool demonstration takes the core concepts of each type of stroke, demonstrates its strength and weaknesses, and shows how combinations can be used together to your advantage in “textured” water. Rich Williamson & Mike Porter New Planning a Fishing-based Wilderness Canoe Trip Natalie Warren & Anna Johnson Paddle Forward Last fall, eleven young adults paddled the Mississippi River from Bemidji, MN, to New Orleans, LA, to engage with schools and to capture their trip on film. Come watch Paddle Forward’s documentary about the experiences they had, the people they met, and the things they learned about the river and themselves on this 70-day expedition. Michael Wenholz Overcoming Adversity During Wilderness Adventures Adventures into the wilderness often include surprises. How you face and adapt to unexpected or adverse situations can significantly influence your well-being, as well as the quality and enjoyment of your trip. Through a combination of humorous and sober stories, learn from a variety of trials overcome by an ordinary guy spending time in wilderness. Find out how a bear, a wolf, wool, a flipped canoe, “missing” portage trails, a forgotten tent, and more can prepare you for the unforeseen on your next adventure. Camp skills Rich and Mike, both seasoned Quetico vets, discuss the planning decisions that can enhance or undermine the success of a trip before it begins. Several questions need clear answers well ahead of departure. Who is going? When and where are we going? Which lakes will we fish? Mike and Rich will share suggestions for how to gather pre-trip intelligence and how tackle and tactics are situational tools. Suggestions and tips will be shared for how to customize your canoe to be fishing-friendly. Come to hear some practical advice and tips to maximize your fishing time in your favorite wilderness area. Charles Wright Paddling America’s Everglades National Park Learn about DIY paddle routes and practices, as well as adventures deep in the wildernesses of six different parks and preserves. Greg Wright, Ken Koscik, Jeanne Bourquin New Poetry On The Water: Wooden Boats in the Age of the Smartphone Faster, smaller, lighter — the smartphone age has cast a spell on the world. If it’s not 4G+, feather-light, and GPS compatible, who wants one (whether a phone OR a boat)? And yet, a vibrant community of paddlers imagines that there are real alternatives: boats that speak of beauty, utility, craft, and heritage. This round table engagement features multiple voices: Ken Koscik, Madison-based cedar-strip canoe builder; Jeanne Bourquin, Ely-based woodcanvas canoe builder; and Greg Wright, North House Folk School director. Where and how do wooden boats fit in? Easily: on the water, with the family, and in your life. Ray Zvirbulis Kayaking the Canyons of Lake Powell Over the years, Ray has advanced from paddling local waters like the Kankakee River in Illinois to lengthy trips on the Yukon River of Canada and Alaska, and from small local lakes to Lake Powell. The lake is about 175 miles long but has almost 2,000 miles (that’s right!) of shoreline. The scenery is breathtaking: countless canyons, Rainbow Bridge, and Native ruins. The waters of Lake Powell provide access to otherwise inaccessible places. Come discover why Lake Powell is one of Ray’s favorite paddling destinations. America’s Everglades is North America’s premier wintertime paddling destination. With water and air temperatures in the 70s, spectacular wildlife, good accommodations, and nearly a million acres of protected wilderness, it is “the Paddler’s Paradise.” Diverse paddling opportunities abound just 90 minutes from three major airports. From halfday canoe/kayak trips in the mangrove forests to multi-day expeditions down the Wilderness Waterway, the area has something for everyone. Pool demo (Clarion Suites) Youth & family Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 49 RUTABAGA OUTDOOR PROGRAMS ABOUT US… THIS IS a sign from the London Underground railway. It ever so politely reminds passengers to watch their step as they enter the cars. We like it because it reminds us that there are often gaps everywhere, and life is better when we mind them, especially gaps in our knowledge. The better we do to mind — or better still, fill in — gaps, the happier we are. Many Midwesterners regard paddling as part of their birthright. It’s something that we assume we must know because water is everywhere. We — or our parents — grew up doing it, so we obviously know what there is to know. Ah, but it isn’t so easy. What if there’s a gap that you don’t know about? Or worse, what if what you think you know, just ain’t so? We’re incredibly passionate about finding, minding, and filling knowledge gaps. We live for the moment when someone discovers how to do something more easily, efficiently, or safely. Paddling is your birthright. Embrace it. Learn the techniques that make it even more fun. Nancy Saulsbury Outdoor Programs Director nancys@rutabaga.com Talk about having a great job! As someone who loves to paddle, I actually get paid to help others become excited about being on the water. I can walk out of my office on a busy summer day and hear the sounds of kids excited about paddling on the Rutabaga pond or see the face of an adult who is eagerly discovering a new passion. Add a wonderful and dedicated group of instructors and coworkers — what could be better?! Amelia Musser Why take a class with Rutabaga? Good question. Let’s break it down. We invite you to join us on the water this season. ■■ Small classes. With a small student-to-instructor ratio, you’ll get a lot of personal attention. ■■ High-quality equipment. It’s hard to learn when you’re fighting with your gear. Our gear lets you focus on the task at hand. ■■ Best. Instructors. Anywhere. Our instructors’ sole focus is on improving your paddling skills and experiences. ■■ Relaxed vibe. Our instructors provide a supportive atmosphere where you can challenge yourself while having fun. ■■ Risk management. We teach more than just techniques. We help you learn how to keep yourself safe as you paddle off in to the sunset. ■■ No shrieking eels. Eel-infested waters reduce learning by 31%. 50 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 Youth Programs Coordinator ameliam@rutabaga.com Spending time on the water was one of my favorite things to do as a kid, and still is today! I gain confidence and feel truly free maneuvering my boat as I wish. I see the same with the students here in our classes at Rutabaga. No matter how excited or hesitant a student is initially, I see the growth that paddling encourages in each of them by the end of the day, and I love that! See our complete list of courses and details at http://learn.rutabaga.com RUTABAGA OUTDOOR PROGRAMS Getting Started “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” — Lao Tzu GET off to a great start as you learn to canoe, kayak, or stand up paddleboard! Rutabaga Outdoor Programs offers many options to help you get the most out of your paddling adventures. We offer beginner classes in: ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ Recreational Kayak Sea Kayak Solo Canoe Tandem Canoe Stand Up Paddling (SUP) We’re proud of our outstanding instructors and the quality of our classes, but don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what a few of our students had to say about their first paddling class: “Instructor was clear, reassuring and helpful. I’d take another course from her in a heartbeat!” — Abby D. “Great class! I was nervous to start but by the end was kayaking comfortably and having fun!” — Chris B. “I felt nervous at the start. My instructor was unbelievably patient and clear—highly recommended.”— Cecelia P. “From fear to confidence. Enjoyed the small class with relaxed pace and great info.” — Rose R. “This was great! Wonderful use of time and money. Learned a lot—never felt incompetent or clumsy, even when I was!” — Paul C. Stand Up Paddling No surf? No problem! Grab (y)our board and go. Instructor Amber Dolphin Instructor Dan York DISCOVER why stand up paddling (SUP) is an ideal craft for our Midwestern waters. SUP is perfect for exploring area lakes, cruising down rivers, and getting the ultimate total-body workout. Whatever your skill level, we’re ready to help you get on the water. Join us to check out what’s SUP! ■■ Introduction to Stand Up Paddling ■■ SUP for Teens & Kids ■■ SUP Days – June 14 & 15, 2014 A full day of classes on Saturday, June 14 Guest Instructor Cindy Scherrer See our complete list of courses and details at http://learn.rutabaga.com Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 51 RUTABAGA OUTDOOR PROGRAMS Get Out and Paddle “What a beautiful river. I’m so glad to discover such wonderful paddling so close to home!” Evening Paddles Join us for a few hours as we explore areas near Rutabaga! Paddle with us under the full moon or join us for our monthly women’s paddles, offered May through September. Day Trips Once you have a few basic skills, what better way to put them to use than on our day trips? Enjoy the beauty of Southern Wisconsin’s rivers and lakes as you spend the day with folks who love the water as much as you do. Join us to explore some of our favorites: the Upper Dells of the Wisconsin River, Mirror Lake, Kettle Moraine Lakes, the Grant River, and more! Developing Your Skills Private lessons focus on your specific needs in canoes, kayaks, or SUP As you develop as a paddler, you’re likely to have specific skills you want to hone and refine. A private lesson with Rutabaga is an effective way to learn what you want to learn at a time that is convenient for you. Whether you‘re into canoeing, kayaking, or stand up paddling, private lessons are a great way to work on your skills. Give us a call to discuss your next steps and to schedule a private lesson. “I took an individual lesson with an instructor. I highly recommend the attention and flexibility of a private lesson!” ■■ Learn the finer points of boat control, the key to efficient and effective kayaking. Focus on techniques such as rotation, edging, and tilt. ■■ Perfect your forward stroke. It’s the stroke you use the most, so why not give it a bit of extra attention? ■■ Develop your braces and recovery strokes, which allow you to recover from a near swim. ■■ Bomb-proof your rescue techniques. It’s great to have a tool kit of rescue and towing techniques so you can react quickly when needed. ■■ Learn to roll your kayak—the ultimate self-rescue. Plus it looks cool! ■■ Develop skills to enjoy river canoeing or kayaking. Learn about eddy turns, ferries, and other maneuvers that will help you enjoy moving water. Guest Instructor Rolf Kraiker Instructor Nancy Moore 52 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 See our complete list of courses and details at http://learn.rutabaga.com RUTABAGA OUTDOOR PROGRAMS Youth and Family “My children had a lot of fun. They want to paddle again right now!” Kids, now’s the time to get off the couch and out on the water! Our youth programs let you learn new skills, get outside, make new friends and explore Madison’s lakes. Rutabaga Outdoor Programs Kids Camps feature: ■■ Canoeing, Kayaking, & SUP camps and classes for kids 3rd to 8th grade. ■■ Half-day, full-day, and week-long day camps for beginners and more advanced paddlers. ■■ Family canoe & kayak classes. “Another excellent experience for youth in our community! I look forward to next summer at Rutabaga.” —John H. Help Kids Enjoy Paddling Rutabaga offers many ways to keep the next generation paddling Junior Leadership Development Program Have a positive influence on young people and enjoy a fun and rewarding summer as a Junior Leader. No previous leadership or paddling experience is required. For teens entering 9th-12th grade. Contact Amelia (ameliam@ rutabaga.com) to apply. Applications due by April 15th. Community Organizations, Scouts, Youth Programs Rutabaga’s 2013 Junior Leaders Canoeing and kayaking can add a whole new level of excitement and team building to your organization’s summer programming. Call us to discover how we can create a unique and memorable experience for your youth. Josh Kestelman Scholarship Fund Rutabaga provides scholarships to help community agencies and individual kids attend our summer programs. Call Amelia for more details or to make a contribution. THIS JUST IN... Canoecopia Special Deal* Purchase your class (or two, or even three) at Canoecopia and receive a 15% show discount. * does not apply to Wilderness First Aid, ACA Instructor Certification courses or Door County Sea Kayak Symposium See our complete list of courses and details at http://learn.rutabaga.com Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 53 RUTABAGA’S SEA KAYAK SYMPOSIUM 11th Annual Door County Sea Kayak Symposium Our family-friendly symposium improves skills and makes memories You’ve felt it before: that magical moment you pull a perfect soufflé out of the oven or hit the golf ball perfectly straight. Your dovetails slide together with no play at all. You finally play that piece you’ve been trying to master. Whatever it is, it feels great. Rutabaga’s Door County Sea Kayak Symposium was designed to create those moments when your skills take that leap from “that felt pretty good” to “Wow...that felt perfect!” Over three days our little community grows and feeds off the positive energy that happens when a bunch of people have that “that felt perfect” moment...together. Discover the joys of kayaking along some of the most scenic shoreline in the world — Door County! ■■ Quality on-water classes and land-based workshops that will help you develop and improve your sea kayaking skills. ■■ Guided trips with experienced instructors to the rocky coves, rugged cliffs, and sandy beaches of Door County. ■■ Building community with other paddlers around the beer wagon, nightly dinners and evening campfires. ■■ Experienced and dedicated instructors from all over the country. Come learn from the pros! ■■ Paddling classes for kids and guided tours for the entire family. Instructor Dick Silberman Door County Sea Kayak Symposium July 11-13, 2014 Rowleys Bay Resort Door County, WI Space is limited. Learn more and register at: www.everyonepaddles.com 54 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 For complete information visit www.everyonepaddles.com Instructors Jeff & Kathy Schmidt RUTABAGA’S SEA KAYAK SYMPOSIUM Here’s what our guests had to say about the Door County Sea Kayak Symposium I bought my first kayak at Canoecopia 2013. I loved it but knew I would need to learn to handle it better. With some trepidation, I registered for the symposium. I had several concerns: my strength and endurance, the weather and water conditions, and as I often seem to learn physical skills rather slowly, whether I would hold other classmates back. one wanted to opt out of conditions they felt they could not handle, the staff provided them support and an escort back if needed. I hope to go to the Door County Sea Kayak Symposium every year. Look for me. I’m the eager beginner in the red hat and matching kayak. —Kristine H. What I found was a very comfortable and fun event. Rowleys Bay is lovely, mostly shallow, and protected from the big lake – great for a beginner like me. I particularly liked the women’s track classes. The instructors were very skilled and stressed the importance of form over strength while providing consistent posi“What I found was a tive reinforcement and a lot of individual attention. I alternated classes with tours so I very comfortable and could practice what I was learning. The tour fun event. “ leaders put our comfort level first. If some- first class of the weekend, a student asked, “How do you get out of a kayak gracefully?” and half of us in class nodded vigorously. I knew I was in the right place! “For three days in July a community is formed, teaches and encourages each other, and moves on. “ Instructor John Browning I signed my 17-year-old son and I up for the DCSKS with some trepidation. We’d been paddling for 5 years, but I wasn’t sure we were doing it “right.” What would “real” kayakers think? As we were driving to the event Friday morning we were passed by four cars with kayaks on top – we felt a part of something before we’d even arrived! At our I paddled more in three days than I’d paddled the previous month. I learned more in three days than I’d picked up from the internet and other paddlers in the previous 5 years. My son learned to roll his kayak. We met people from Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin we will never forget. For three days in July a community is formed, teaches and encourages each other, and moves on. —Guy C. THE Door County Sea Kayak Symposium was absolutely the most fun I have had in years. I played in a beautiful place all weekend as I became “I have been recommending this symposium, with its food, laughter, and sharing, to every kayaker I meet!” more confident with each class I took. I got to know my boat better, and I learned how to improve my kayaking experiences with equipment modifications that really worked for my own body and my own boat. The “sea kayaking” skills I learned have transferred to river kayaking as I’ve improved my over-all boat handling. I have been recommending this symposium, with its food, laughter, and sharing, to every kayaker I meet! There is something for everyone! The two gals I attended with often reminisce on what fun we had and yes, we will be back as there is more to experience!! —Mary Ann P. For complete information visit www.everyonepaddles.com Instructor Ken Ring Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 55 RUTABAGA OUTDOOR PROGRAMS But Wait… That’s Not All! “This was a great experience and it increased my confidence greatly. I would recommend this class to anyone!” Customized Courses & Adventures MORE of our amazing instructors... Let us create an adventure for you! Whether you’re looking to spice up a company outing, host a family reunion, or get your neighborhood kids out on the water, we’re here and we’re game. Give us a call! ■■ Adaptive Paddling for People with Disabilities ■■ Birthday Parties ■■ Group Outings Leadership Training & Certifications ■■ Wilderness First Aid ■■ Out of the Classroom: Canoeing and Kayaking Adventures for Educators ■■ BCU 3 Star Training ■■ American Canoe Association Instructor Certification in Canoe, Kayak and SUP See more at http://learn.rutabaga.com Molly McGrath Katya Ouchakof Kris Stepenuck Jake Tissue Paddle Classic Northwest Wisconsin Your Escape. Your Adventure. Stop by Hayward Lakes VCB (D5), Wooden Canoe Heritage Museum (A13), Mercer Area Chamber of Commerce (N5), or Price and Rusk County Tourism (L10) for your free copy of our Northwest Wisconsin Outdoor and Trail Guide, or click on our website or give us a call. www.northwestwisconsin.com 56 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 IBTEC-ad2.indd 1 866-535-7875 866-535-7875 1/10/2014 12:29:15 PM Visit us at the SealLine® booth to learn about your canoe and kayak trip preparation. FEATURES From student to instructor to student The joys and pains of teaching the next generation from instructor Robin Nelson I LOVE kayaking. But, it was a journey of overwhelming, frustrating, and anxious fear. We prepared for certification without a clue of what we didn’t know and trying to perfect what we did know. I wasn’t outdoorsy until my husband, Chuck, dragged me camping, canoeing, and hiking with our sons. I always tried my Boy Scout best. Chuck and I headed to Rutabaga and met Sam Crowley, our Instructor Trainer. When you’re an instructor, your focus goes from you to your students. I can still hear Sam say, “Is it beginner appropriate?” When I was not able to grasp a concept, Sam, instead of being frustrated and telling me to work on it and paddling away, remained with me. He made my problem his. He helped me understand the concept by suggesting different ways to approach it. In that moment, I learned more than how to model a low brace: I learned how to instruct. We transitioned into kayaking as our younger son transitioned into college. Although we took a class, I am one of those students who does everything wrong to learn how to do it right. What I lacked in savvy and finesse, I made up for in hard work and determination. When Chuck and I became proficient, we assisted with kayak classes. That’s when I really learned to kayak. I had patience because of my personal struggles, and I love people. I understood how learning a new skill can be overwhelming, especially when you might end up in an environment where you can’t breathe. It felt good to help people learn to enjoy what I had come to love. When Bill Merrick from North East Wisconsin Paddlers (NEWP) asked us to become certified instructors, Chuck jumped on it but said he would only do it if I did. I struggled with this. It was hard for me to get to this point: I enjoyed paddling, I no longer whined when we paddled over three miles, I didn’t mind being wet, waves were extremely fun, wind was my friend, and I didn’t want to throw up every time I did a roll. Was I ready? After sleepless nights, more anxiety, and fear-filled days, I became a certified instructor. Chuck and I became the lead instructors at a YMCA in Green Bay for classes sponsored by NEWP. Our first classes, I forgot everything I had learned about being an instructor and taught everything I had learned about kayaking. In a Come see us in booth C4 58 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 FEATURES small, warm room, I was ready to fall asleep, as were my students. What had happened? Once again, I had to fail to learn what worked. students referred to DCSKS as summer camp for adults. I must agree, as DCSKS is always a highlight of my summer. For my next class, I used the “Less is More” approach. Students were talking and asking questions! Was I losing control in the classroom? No. Just the opposite. Instead of overwhelming and overloading them with in- Being a kayak instructor has blessed me with lifelong friends, strengthened me, given me wisdom and courage. The best part of instructing is introducing people to the sport and giving them solid building blocks for their futures in kayaking. I get to directly mentor the kayak gene pool. “The best part of instructing is I get to directly mentor the kayak gene pool. I love being a kayak instructor.” formation, I engaged my students. And I left them with reverberating quotes: “A moving paddle is a bracing paddle” or “I am going to do the best wet exit ever!” In addition to instructing NEWP classes, I plan local kayak events and instruct at Door County Sea Kayak Symposium. One of my The moral of this story is in order to be an effective teacher, I returned to being a student. I recalled the fear, the anxiety, and the overwhelming overload of information. I made my student’s process my priority. I love being a kayak instructor. You might love it too. Consider this your invitation. Robin Nelson believes her greatest flaw is either her infernal optimism or her habit of pointing when she gets excited. Friends note she is often excited. TRY ONE BEFORE YOU BUY ONE! Rent a TCTeardrop Camper from Indian Trails Campground! www.indiantrailscampground.com ! t s e t a e r g d n a t es t a l r u o t u o k c e h C ee in s ta ll d , to o l- fr F u ll y a s s em b le t a n d u n iv er s a l fi ™ w o L y a J ™ l l o SweetR Yakima is a registered trademark of Yakima Products, Inc. Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 59 FEATURES The interesting uncle strikes again! Adventure, ecology, and paddling go hand-in-hand with uncle Jake Stachovak OVERBOOKED. The word used so often to describe many of today’s kids; my nephews are no exception. As the “interesting” uncle (with lots of help from Marit), I have taken on the task of providing my brother’s kids with an alternative to stick-and-ball sports. Of course, being who we are, paddling is the alternative Marit and I are most likely to choose. It was a beautiful sunny day in early May when a gap in their schedule allowed us a chance to get my nephews on the water. They had been along in canoes before, amply provisioned with Teddy Grahams and juice boxes, fending off would-be attackers with squirt guns. This time was different. This was their first time in their own kid-size boats on open water where they would get to paddle by themselves. We chose the Eau Claire flowage. With all of the twisty channels and many islands, it was the perfect place to explore. With the eight-year-old leading the way, the first half hour was spent hunting for snails around submerged stumps. A little prodding (and the promise of something even cooler than snails) convinced our leader to continue on. By then the six-year-old had already had enough and started calling for the “tow hook.” He was having a hard time controlling the kayak and was getting frustrated. Some coaching was not making it much better, so we tied on the tow line and set off for a backwater adventure. With the eight-year-old still in the lead, we wound our way thru narrow channels and over shallow sand bars until we reached a “secret island.” By then everyone was getting a little hungry, so it was the perfect opportunity to get out have a snack and see what there was to see. During their island explorations the kids managed to collect a bunch of trash, I mean um… “treasure.” We got a lot of both off the island. With the new loot to examine, and facing the long paddle home, the kids opted to pile into the canoe for 60 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 The “secret island” and its “treasure” the return trip. With all hands on deck, two boats in tow, and a wet bucket of trash—er, treasure—we set off. It takes a bit more time and a lot more patience to bring the boys along. But watching them discover all the freedom and adventure that paddling and the outdoors have to offer is worth the effort. I’m just looking forward to seeing where they take me next. Adventurer, kayaker, carpenter, and rabid proponent of the Oxford comma, Jake Stachovak resides in Wausau. He can often be found in Madison canoodling with our amazing Inventory Manager, Marit Haug. Jake is also an instructor at Rutabaga’s Door County Sea Kayak Symposium. Photo: John Hyde FIND YOUR FIT IN A DELTA KAYAK ULTRALIGHT PERFORMANCE. OUTSTANDING VERSATILITY. We’ve taken weight out of the equation with our New Delta 12S and Delta 15S so all you have to think about is where to go on your next adventure. Optimized to fit smaller to medium framed paddlers and loaded with new features, these lightweights promise to make your next trip more fun and enjoyable both on and off the water. Whatever your adventure, you can find your fit in a Delta Kayak. 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FEATURES How to be a good solo trip leader Tips for when the friend you’re taking paddling is you — from Woody Osborne BEING a good trip leader is a challenge. You have to anticipate the demands of the trip and balance it against the personalities involved. You need to prepare for both the trip as planned, as well as the trip that might be, and make sure that the group is ready for both. The deep wilderness is no place to discover that none of the participants can read a map or compass. All of that is compounded when you set yourself up to lead a solo trip. As trip leader you are responsible for everything. As the sole participant, you will be doing all the work. This might seem obvious, but I’ve talked to many a paddler for whom that reality has come crashing home at some inopportune moment. My best advice to any who consider solo paddling (by which I specifically mean paddling with the intent to spend one or more nights camped out alone) is to work up to it. Develop and refine your skills, make sure you like your own company (and your own cooking), and know how to handle your boat by yourself. For me, that meant scores of nights at the local state park, getting up early to paddle and fish. From there it was destinations like the Wisconsin River or some of our northern Scenic Waters Areas. I can clearly remember my first October solo trip to the north woods. My gear was relatively primitive back then and the weather was not very forgiving. Still, I find pictures I took of myself and I am almost always smiling (or, at least, not looking too grim). My walleye dinner happy-dance in the sleet will stick in my mind for a long time. My next piece of advice for all you solo trip leaders is not so simple. Learn and know your limits. There will be no bow paddler for you when the waves get mean and the sky goes steely. No one else is carrying that food pack. You will not have a companion to 62 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 take that fishhook out of your thumb (I once spent twenty minutes working a treble hook out of the back of my hand after a pike and I disagreed about who was hooking whom). Only you can determine those limits; be careful about exceeding them. Build your skill set carefully and patiently. The lament I hear the most is obvious. There is no one to talk to, no one to share it all with. Yes, that is true. The trade-off is perhaps not so obvious. Sure, it can be lonely and sometimes scary. But, if you enjoy a challenge and can stand your own company, the rewards “Being able to stay calm in a crisis is an important skill to cultivate. You can always freak out later…” add up quickly. The satisfaction and selfreliance bred by conquering a tough portage or wending your way down a wind-tossed lake are yours and yours alone. When you settle into a snug camp and tuck into a hot meal, all prepared by you, you can indulge in a little pride. And, when you glide silently towards a wading moose, or approach an otter blithely eating a crawfish on a stump, the lack of other human voices becomes a boon. As with any trip, the leader’s job is to ascertain the needs of the participants and to create a trip that meets those needs while addressing other important criteria. Those criteria vary from person to person. Some of the most important to me are physical ability, gear (or lack thereof ), and attitude. Speaking as someone with several herniated discs, knees that have seen better days, and assorted arthritic joints, the physical side is very important. It is worth doing some research to determine how rugged a trip might be and deciding if it is appropriate. So far as gear goes, everyone starts somewhere. Good gear is a boon, but serviceable will do until you figure out what you really need. The tough one is attitude. Resilience is important, as is flexibility. You need to be able to bounce back and adjust your plans when things get tough. Sometimes “tough” is just not being able to get a good hang for the bear bag, or sinking to your knees in a mudhole. Sometimes it’s battling waves and winds that are stronger than you can handle. Speaking of that, let’s add “a tendency to not panic” to attitude. Being able to stay calm in a crisis is an important skill to cultivate. You can always freak out later… It’s not for everyone, the solo trip. If you do it, own it. Make it yours in every way. Value the challenges as much as the payoffs and you may just find that some of those trials become rewards in their own right. Woody Osborne’s secret superpower wish is to be able to turn Aquaman-haters in to dwarf Amercan toads (Anaxyrus americanus chalrlesmithi). He is also one of Rutabaga’s esteemed floor managers. THE BEST OF ONTARIO OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Quetico Provincial Park Explore waters less travelled. CANADIAN PADDLING ADVENTURES Lake Superior Algonquin Provincial Park ONTARIOTRAVEL.NET/OUTDOOR Agawa River AD FR l Southern Wisconsin’s a MI EE u n n l S A F A S BICYCLE EXPO and R D Southern Wisconsin’s t ua IO E s M E 1 N! I 2 ASales nn LARGEST S Event isBICYCLE EXPO and at theSIO t s 21 FRN E ! LARGEST THIS WEEKEND Sales Event is THIS at the Alliant Energy Center’s Arena Building WEEKEND F E Popresh & FREEn corn F Eerg PoprDersihnk y High Moun End & E corn s ta n E E FSeR c rAvci e llaStiTon FA for esAsroeray theT ofES LOW Sea ES! PRICson of ens RY z o D TO staFA fIonr sory of the Season! C f FAzensEoPSYg to Rn o D R TpOetSi ou! C m y o A o F c EeP Rh ltping t e ! s Acce lation l a t Ins f fuj RS I LE ABSO All LUTE EST LO at the 2014s W IC PRLUES TE ABSO Eea E R FService ArST CHA TRACRHIA O TILREARSTRIOT All Alliant Energy Center’s Arena Building 4s 201 at the ujii Trailer s Bikes Trailers & Joggers GEE U H G HU, Recumbebnetnt S S C C H H W W lete CCoom mppleatend lothingg and CClothein ection Helmett SSection HeLlm CED! A L REEDDUUCED! ALL R ew llllNN ew AA SaSrairsis & e l u h & T e ThulAR C RS AK CC A RA t S reaK t GC Ra Springisis RR Spring alaeligeihgh Coming! Coming! BabBaby Grnetast Diastcou unts Disco y JogJog gerger GIANT GIANT STUNT RIDER STUNT RIDER QU QU INTAN INT A ANA ROO RO O Road, Recunmdem Road& Ta dem n & Talnecito io t n SSeelec 9to 0% 90 O% O FF! FF! I HUG Trailers & Joggers ss HUGE SAVINGS! 10 ctric 1o0f 0A0cc’se0ss0o’sr Ele ctirkicesof Accessuopr to ies EleB ies up IN F Fit NN itn N ne ess so d3 nd&re‘1 u2 H’1 atModels 3 ‘1 & ! ’12 E aStAVINGS Info! DEAST LS! Trailer s fN s oA edR drR HuCnO MfoNdeewls FREE Ride & FREE our RideT& I Tournfo! sands of in Red Ba uction $ Jogg by s Trail ers, e r TrBa y s and -A- i Jogailb TrailBgersB , kes E e rs aSnT TraD il-AE-B A d s! BE ikLeS p u com elp yo h OUT CLOSEEO T CLCO OSRRAULLew in Bik e S eDrin rgy Hhioghelection ks T Moun usaEnndds in tRaeidn Bi of $ uct ke Se Thou lection ions 9 Free Daredevil Shows! 9 Free Daredevil Shows! EveEry very BicB ycl iceyclIneclIn u A LIFETIMdcleusdes A LIFETIEM SERVICE E WARSREARNVICE T at WARRAY loca bikNTY e at lolca shops l bike shops Friday-Saturday-Sunday Friday-Saturday-Sunday JEFFJEFF LENOSKY LENOSKY as seen NBConToday, as on seen NBC Today, ESPN Extreme Games, ESPN Extreme Games, Live with Kelly and Live with Kelly and Michael, and Ripley’s Michael, Believe It orand NotRipley’s Believe It or Not www.BikeORama.com www.BikeORama.com Noon - 9 ARENA Friday Friday8 Noon Saturday -9 -9 ARENA Sunday Saturday Building 10 - 68 - 9 ALLIANT ENERGY CENTER ALLIANT ENERGY CENTER Building Sunday 10 - 6 FEATURES Evangelize paddling Go spread the good word about paddling says Jim Pippitt PREACH THE gospel at all times; use words if necessary. That quote gets a lot of use on the Internet. It is attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas. It’s unfortunately not his, at least according to a cursory web search. No matter. I like this variation better: Evangelize paddling like crazy; use words and media as necessary. I love paddling. I expect you do too. Whether it’s the rush of hitting a rapid just so, or the way water and sunlight lift my spirits, or the way my soul shifts into its “Just Be” mode, paddling is one of my Deep Joys. It turns out that paddling is very much like Christmas for me as I get older: I have learned that it is better to give than receive. Yes, the kids are happy, but I’m getting even more pleasure than they are. I can see that I’m giving them a lifetime activity, plus I get the joy of being there at the start. Jim’s niece and nephew get hooked on paddling Nowadays I can’t wait to hear the giggle of a new as they watch their mother run the Brule paddler as a turtle splashes in to the water, or the chortle of someone who says, “I had no idea this much beauty was so nearby!” I grin when one of my new paddling friends says, “Is there still time to go once more?” To me, those are the best words in the English language. These shared experiences tie us together for the rest of our days and set the stage for their lifetime of paddling too. Win-win. The best part about Paddling Evangelism is that it is so darn easy. Even an introvert‑y guy like me can do it. If I can do it, you can too. Step one: I recount a fun time I had paddling. Maybe if I’m lucky I’ll have some pictures or a movie on my phone. (Tip: audio-visual aids are a huge help since you just have to hold the device. You don’t have to speak at all. Aside: you’re not so timid that you can’t hold a smartphone in public, are you? Didn’t think so.) Step two: I look around the room watching for eyes to light up or who comes closer to hear/see more. Step three: I ask that person/parent, “Hey, next time I’m going to the River, wanna come along?” That’s it. I’ve got ‘em booked and hooked. My first time evangelizing, my palms were sweaty and my voice was not its normal librarianannoying, booming self. I felt like I was Young Jim squeaking out, “Umm… would you like to go a movie?” Funny thing was that 10 seconds later every nervous twitch was gone. Just a simple, “I’m going to do this amazing thing again and would love your company.” It worked, as it has almost every single time thereafter. “The best part about Paddling (Wish I could say I had such a hit rate when I was a dating lad. The less said about my early Evangelism is that it is so darn easy.” dating, the best for all parties concerned.) I encourage you to give it a try. The world needs more paddlers. Spread the good word about paddling. Be the good word about paddling. It lets you have Christmas in the warm seasons, and mutual memories for a lifetime. Jim Pippitt once managed to get a Florida gal to go out with him by nervously blurting, “Idaho is your assurance of Quality!” Over 18 years of marriage later, neither is quite sure what he meant. Note, however, that it worked; reportedly they’re both very happy. He is Rutabaga Paddlesports’ head computer wrangler. Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 65 FEATURES Memories etched in hulls and dust Canoes and kayaks speak to you if you listen, says Darren Bush BACK in the corner of one of our warehouses we’ve got a spot for our personal boats. I’ve got seven canoes, six kayaks and three SUP boards. They’re the boats that don’t fit in my garage. Yes, I own quite a few canoes and kayaks, but that’s what I do. When people poke fun at me, I usually respond, “You should see my paddle collection!” I don’t ask a woodworker how many saws, chisels or power tools she owns. Besides, how can I take friends without a few spares in my fleet? As I looked at my canoes I started to reminisce about the people whose first paddle strokes were in some of those canoes. I wanted to stand there for a while, but the warehouses are unheated and another trailer needed unloading, so I wrote “Paddle me” in the dust with my finger and headed back to work. Obviously, I love to paddle. I love the feeling of being one with a canoe. I love how the boat responds to my strokes and corrections, the feeling of acceleration when I pour on the coal, and the soft kiss of the bow when it runs up on a sandy beach. I love it when I feel like I can’t tell where my body ends and my kayak begins, where I’m literally one with the kayak. A few days ago I was over at the warehouse unloading a trailer of kayaks, many of which you will see in a few weeks at Canoecopia. I wandered back to see my sleeping babies, covered by a thin blanket of dust. A R A C K S Y S T E M U N S U R PA S S E D FR OM CR OSSBARS TO ACCESSORIES PREMIUM J-CRADLES AND SADDLES W B 400 J-CRADL E KAYAK CARRIER W B 401 SADDL E R OL L ER KAYAK CARRIER The new line of boat products built with the same cutting edge design, aesthetics and performance you have come to expect from the worlds most elegant roof rack system. Come see the new Whispbar boat accessories with QuickDock technology at the Yakima booth. whispbar.com Whispbar is a registered trademark of Yakima Products, Inc. 66 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 FEATURES I love when I’m surfing down a wave and the feedback from my kayak is instantaneous and my response reflexive. bystanders. Many of them have never seen a solo canoe, and the extroverts ask questions; the introverts just gaze in wonder. Aside from getting lost in the moment from the sheer joy of it all, I love where paddling can take you. The most beautiful places are accessible from a craft whose only power comes from muscle and is transmitted by tendon. The combination of the act of paddling and the places it takes me is hard to beat. “Here, jump in.” I take off my life vest and adjust it to the somewhat bewildered bystander, who with a few instructions takes off from the dock, wobbling a little and often unsure of how they found themselves in that situation. Their keys, wallet and cell phones are safe in my pocket, so what’s the risk? Out of the dozens of times I’ve done this, no one ever took a swim. Most times they paddled back with a 1000-watt grin. “This is cool!” they say. And yet, as I look at those dusty boats, what I see are the faces of people who first paddled in some of them. I’ll limit it to two instances, otherwise I could write forever. Memories reflect off of those dusty hulls. The big Perception Mirage is an old-school whitewater boat, made back when whitewater boats were all about speed and volume. She’s massive, all thirteen feet of her. That boat was my first kayak. My daughter Whitney’s first time in a boat was in that old Mirage. I was a poor grad student, and paddling kept me sane. The only place we could keep a “I’m a firm believer that experiences, not things, bring you happiness. A life full of treasured experiences is a rich one indeed.” kayak was in our living room, crowding the front door of our little apartment. Even as a toddler she loved the Mirage, and would crawl into it with her little Golden Books and favorite blanket, and I’d rock it slowly with a foot on the bow until she fell asleep. She accompanied me to many a pool session and little jaunts on the Erie Canal. This started my baby on a lifetime of paddling. Twenty-five years later, she can’t find her car in a parking lot unless there’s a kayak or SUP board on it. As I float up to a floating pier on a lake a few blocks from my house, my little solo canoes are often admired by the non-paddling A few of those faces showed up in the shop later on, but that’s not really the point. I do it, well, because my business card says Paddling Evangelist and I love 1000-watt grins and happy people. I’m a firm believer that experiences, not things, bring you happiness. A life full of treasured experiences is a rich one indeed. My philosophy is to own and use tools that bring me joy. Sometimes the tool is a really nice chisel for woodworking or a new hammer. Last year it was a new camp stove that actually simmers so I can cook sauces without burning a black circle on the bottom of the pan. Most often, however, it’s a canoe, kayak, paddle, or some other tool that allows me to be in my favorite places. Whether kayaking along the Amalfi Coast or toodling around on my favorite little Lake Wingra, it’s not about the location. My favorite place is in a boat, and I firmly believe that the more people I put in boats, the more beautiful the world is for all of us. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Darren Bush has a perfectly rational, explainable affinity towards redheads as he’s got a whole household of them (dog excepting). He also has an inexplicable aversion to slightly off-color, cheeky biographies. He is the executive editor of the Canoecopia Show Guide and the owner of Rutabaga Paddlesports. www.granitegear.com Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 67 ADDITIONAL NOTES SUNDAY IS FUN-DAY It’s no secret around Rutabaga that we’re a fun-loving group. Canoecopia is a lot of work for sure, but we love to have a good time and wanted to share with you a little of the fun. Sunday’s a little slower and a little more laid back, so we’re adding some fun activities that’ll make Sunday Fun-day too! ■■ Speakers: There’s generally a little more space in the speaker rooms, and some presentations are happening only on Sunday, like Cliff Jacobson’s Solo Canoeing in Lapland, Steve Brede’s Circumnavigation of Lake Erie, and a half-dozen others. If you’re always standing in the back of the room for Kevin Callan or Kenny Salwey, Sunday’s awesome! ■■ Drawings and Prizes: Some exhibitors will have drawings, games, and prizes for people who stop in their booths. Don’t worry about finding them; they’ll find you! ■■ Special Deals: We’re never too sure what’s going to happen Sunday with extra discounts on closeout merchandise. Sometimes we have a little extra discount on stuff we don’t want to carry back to Rutabaga later that night. ■■ P.S. Buy a three-day pass: it’s still cheaper than two individual day passes and you can stay an extra day! A TIP ON TAKING KIDS PADDLING Document. Take pictures and/or video—but not just for your own memories. I discovered an interesting fact of the kids I’m around. Even though the weather can be beastly (rainy, hot or both), by taking photos of the kids smiling, the photos set the memory as a great time. In no time, they’ll forget about the heat and mosquitoes, or how hungry and crabby they were because I messed up their meal schedule. The photos and videos I take strongly influence what they remember. (They also make for a great photo album/movie to give to their mom.) —Jim P. M A Y 1 7 – 18 : J O I N U S F O R A CANOETANANNY Grab your gear for a two-day, 17.6-mile paddle and music jam. Day one, paddle the Wisconsin River from Bridgeport to Wyalusing, and stay overnight in Wyalusing State Park. Day two begins in Plum Creek on the Kickapoo River to Wauzeka, WI. Hope to see you there! O T H E R U P C O M I N G 2 0 1 4 PA D D L E E V E N T S : May 31: Mecan River August 16: East River, Green Bay June 21-22: Wisconsin River September 27: Fox River – July 19: Fox River – Park-To-Park Paddle Find more launch details & registration forms at wisconsinpaddlers.org Germania Dam to the Upper Fox River at Princeton (15.5 mi.) Veterans Park in Prairie du Sac to Ferry Bluff (9 mi.), (Camp at Sky High Resort) Newport Park in Lake Delton to Pine Island (13 mi.) (Tour the Leopold Center) Shattuck Park, Neenah to Lutz Park, Appleton (8.5 mi.) 68 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 Manderly Lane Landing to Green Bay Metro Marina (7 mi.) Appleton Locks Paddle Tour 4 hand-operated locks Lutz Park, Appleton,to Sunset Park, Kimberly (6 mi.) NATIVEWATERCRAFT.COM ULTIMATE: THE GOLD STANDARD. SLAYER: CLEAN DECK AND COMFORTABLE HIGH-LOW SEAT. SLAYER 13 propel: BECAUSE REVERSE IS A GAME CHANGER. LIQUIDLOGICKAYAKS.COM STINGER XP: THE NEXT GENERATION IN CROSSOVER. DON’T MISS US AT CANOECOPIA. COME IN AND LOOK TO THE RIGHT. FEATURES Swim support during Ironman Wisconsin from a kayak The friend you take paddling may be an “adopted” swimmer says Henry Nehls-Lowe I’VE been kayaking for almost 40 years, and I love paddling beautiful places with other kayakers—kindred souls with an ancient, primordial love of moving on the water. Water people stick together, in or out of kayaks. A few years ago I became one of the fortunate few, joining other kayakers to provide swim support for the Madison Ironman triathlon. The first time I saw the start I was energized. 2,300 swimmers churning the waters is an amazing sight. It was then I saw a few kayaks on the course and realized they were out on the water to be there for the swimmers for over two hours. For most athletes, the swim is usually the hardest part of the Ironman, and I knew that was where I wanted to be: helping out and witnessing it close up. Next September I found myself in a parking lot at 5:30 a.m. on race morning, rubbing elbows and chuckling with almost a hundred other kayakers, laying our boats in rows in the dark, munching bagels and drinking coffee, waiting for the signal to get on the water. We launched in the predawn light, paddling out to our stations as the sky brightened. It was a bit chaotic when the volunteers paddled out onto the course, but as we waited for the sun to rise and the race to start, there was a Zen-like peace that settled over me, along with the euphoria of being on the water with other passionate paddlers, ready to be there for any swimmer who needed help. Ironman Wisconsin swim starts in deep water. Along the start, stationary kayaks are magnets for the swimmers. They quickly cluster about your kayak, hanging onto the side, deceptively moving your boat. Soon you are surrounded by hundreds of people with nowhere to put your Introducing the Spark, Freedom and Challenge New for paddleboarding, these lightweight paddles are durable and propel you further with every stroke. And…they look really cool. Also, check out our Posi-Lok™ ferrule & Limited Edition canoe paddle. © 2014 Branches, LLC. 70 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 FEATURES paddle into the water, much less paddle away. You give them words of encouragement at the same time you tell them to let go and give you some room. The athletes’ adrenaline is infectious. They’ve been training for months and are ready to go. It’s all smiles...for now. Kayaks form the starting line to hold swimmers back, but the loud music and the announcer’s voice booming from the sound system made hand signals and shouting at each other necessary. A minute before the race starts, we cruised along the starting line. We heard the increasing roar of thousands of family and friends of the athletes. With just seconds to go, we frantically paddled out of way. Then the cannon sounded and we watched them dash off, a frenzy of swimmers, looking like a huge school of sardines trying to escape a school of tuna. Kayakers follow up from behind the start, weaving between and assisting swimmers who were re-adjusting their goggles or swim cap, and giving a place to rest or connecting with those who were bruised or bumped by the d uil oTh! B us r Bo h Tc ou Wa T in oa aB start. Getting kicked in the face is not uncommon, and we were there to help. Along the “…a Zen-like peace settled over me, along with the euphoria of being on the water with other passionate paddlers ready to be there for any swimmer who needed help” entire course, kayakers formed an inside and outside line along the swim lane and watchful eyes looked for swimmers in distress. We were the first point of contact for swimmers, providing a place to regroup, calling over a lifeguard when needed, and sometimes relaying a message when the swimmer wanted to be taken off the course by a bigger craft. Most athletes do well in the swim, but each year there dozens who struggle to finish within the 2:20 time limit. The few dozen who are struggling are “adopted,” and we cheer and provide words of encouragement with each stroke of the athlete. It is extremely gratifying when your “adopted” swimmer finally staggers from the shallows in front of the finish, heading for the next challenge: a 112-mile bike ride, then a marathon run. But we know we did our job and got them that far. It’s a true joy to serve each other, kayakers and swimmers, one in and one out of the water, but in the end, we both love the water. Kayaks are amazing tools for doing any number of tasks, but for me, the most satisfying one is keeping phenomenal people safe. TRIP LEADER TIPS Food is Important Ask ahead of time if anyone has any food issues. A ham sandwich is a poor lunch to a vegetarian. Remember that kids (and spouses!) get cranky when they’re hungry. Bring sufficient kid-friendly munchables to keep them from having a meltdown. —Jim P. The World’s Most Popular Kits & Plans Petrel Play SG Kayak Scan QR code foR coupon clcboats.com Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 71 Get it at Canoecopia ©Jacob Boling/NRS AND SAVE! OFF 20% All NRS Life Jackets OFF 15% All Apparel and Accessories Vapor HydroSkin 0.5 S/S Shirt H2Core L/S Rashguard MSRP: $79.95 Canoecopia Price: $63.95 MSRP: $79.95 Canoecopia Price: $67.95 MSRP: $49.95 Canoecopia Price: $42.45 Paddle Shoe Boater’s Gloves cVest MSRP: $49.95 Canoecopia Price: $42.45 MSRP: $19.95 Canoecopia Price: $16.95 MSRP: $114.95 Canoecopia Price: $91.95 Don’t see it at the show? 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Pygmy Boats Rapid Media Red Lake Outfitters Remackel Trailers River Alliance of Wisconsin Rivers North Outfitters of Minnesota RiverSport Adventures LLC Rock Art in Watercolors, LLC Rutabaga Outdoor Programs Savage River Works Scotty Sea Kayak Adventures Sierra Magazine Silent Sports Magazine & Website Silverwaves Jewelry LLC SlatGrills LLC Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce Spirit of the Wilderness Outfitters Spring Creek Outfitters Squid Anchor, The Stellar Kayaks & Surf Skis Stewart River Boatworks Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply Sundownideas Superior Kayaks Surf-Wing SylvanSport Tarka’s Whitewater Journey LLC. TCTeardops LLC For the most up-to-date information go to canoecopia.com tera’swhey® Tour Dubuque Tourism Thunder Bay TRAK Kayaks Trek & Trail Uncle Ducky Outdoors, LLC University of Sea Kayaking Voyageur North Outfitters Voyageur Outward Bound School Voyageur Wilderness Programme Wabakimi Wilderness Outfitter Washington Island Cham. of Comm. Waupaca Area Cham. of Commerce Whitecap Kayak LLC Wild Rivers Interpretive Center Wilderness Ironworks Wilderness Medical Associates Williams and Hall Outfitters Winchester Boat Works Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum Wisconsin DNR WI River Outings WI Sierra Club, River Touring Sec. Wisconsin State Park System WNR Magazine Wooden Canoe Heritage Ass’n Wooden Waters Lobby Aldo Leopold Nature Center American Canoe Association Bay of Fundy Sea Kayak Sympsoium Big City Mountaineers Callie Rohr Mem’l Canoe/Kayak Race Chicago Adventure Therapy Chicago Area Sea Kayak Association Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Parkway Friends Apostle Is. Nat. Lkshore Friends of the Lower WI River Gales Storm Gathering, The Gilda’s Club Madison / Kiwanis Girl Scouts: WI-Badgerland Council Ice Age Trail Alliance Illinois Paddling Council Ironman Wisconsin Isle Royale National Park Isthmus Paddle & Portage 2014 Jefferson County Parks Department Ladies of the Lake Kayak Symp. Lafayette Development Corporation Mad City Paddlers Mendota Rowing Club North Country Trail Association NE WI Gt Lks Sport Fishermen NE Minnesotans for Wilderness Northwest Indiana Paddling Assoc. Prairie State Canoeists Singing Wilderness Documentary Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance St Croix River Association Team River Runner TEAMSurvivor Madison Upper Sugar River Watershed Assoc. US Coast Guard Auxiliary Wabakimi Project, The Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 | 73 PARTING WORDS Who is a paddler? How do I get started? Clearing up paddling misconceptions by Jim Pippitt Who is a paddler? That’s the easiest question to answer. It’s you. There’s a common misconception that paddlers are the ultra-fit, crazy-gonzo types. Sure, we’ve got those. I think there are about 200 total in the world. I love ‘em; nice folk. Paddlers are also 88-year-old grandmas and 8-month old children. Paddlers are those who bench press 500 and those that struggle to get off a bench. Paddlers are fishermen, birders, wildlife ecologists, thrill-seekers, and lazy-dayoff sunbathers. Paddlers are those with physical limitations: missing limbs, paralysis, or bad hips. I love them, too. If being outside and being on or near water gives you an excited thrill or that tingle of anticipation, then you’re a paddler, or—we hope—soon will be. You’ll find that on average, paddlers are the nicest, kindest group of people around. They’re happy to trade stories, ideas, wisdom— even gear in a pinch. You’ll fit right in from the start. ? If this were a magical mirror, you would see yourself here. We tried to get one. Too expensive. How do you get started? That’s the second easiest question to answer. Canoecopia and/or Rutabaga. At Canoecopia you’ve got access to the most boats, gear, and advice under one massive roof. Rutabaga Paddlesports features the best retail sales staff, a huge test-paddling pond, two warehouses full of boats, and our own Rutabaga Outdoor Programs. Our staff isn’t on commission, so our focus is on matching you with the best boat for your needs. Our test paddling pond gives you the confidence that you’ve found “the one” for you. Our inventory lets you take your boat home and not wait for it to arrive; there are waterways to explore! Rutabaga Outdoor Programs, though, is our ace in the hole. I think it is the absolute best resource for the beginning paddler. If you’re curious about this paddling thing, come and take a class first. They’re not expensive, you don’t need to have a boat, and if you get hooked, you’ll be able to get so much more out of “If being outside and being on or near your test paddle experience. It is harder to hear what the boat is telling you when you’re water gives you an excited thrill or that tingle of anticipation, then you’re concentrating so much on “don’t flip over” or a paddler, or—we hope—soon will be.” “please go straight.” If and when you want to advance your skills further, Outdoor Programs has classes—or better still, private lessons—to get you where you want to be. Paddling isn’t hard, but it isn’t obvious either. Getting the tricks and tips in a controlled environment with an amazing instructor pays huge dividends later on. (For more information, turn to page 50.) Why should I be a paddler? Well, let’s see. It gets you out and moving. You can be as social or as alone as you want. It lets you re-connect with yourself and nature. It takes you places you’d never be able to go otherwise and hear things that would have gone missed. It gives you stories for a lifetime. It is more fun than the proverbial barrel o’ monkeys. Why not be a paddler? Welcome to the paddling community. We’re so glad we’ve found you and delighted you’ve found us. When he’s not writing about obvious things, taking friends, family, or perfect strangers out paddling, or composing cheeky biographies, Jim Pippitt edits the Canoecopia Show Guide. 74 | Canoecopia Show Guide 2014 SPERRY TOP-SIDER® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF THE SPERRY TOP-SIDER CORPORATION Revolutionary outsole design drives water away underfoot for a sure grip on wet surfaces. T h e M e n’s H 2 O E s c a p e. V i s i t u s a t B o o t h R 3 4–9 pm 9–6 pm 10–5 pm Where Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison, WI 53713 Admission $15/day, $25/3-day pass (17 & under free) pre-order at rutabaga.com Presenter Rutabaga Paddlesports Parking $6.50/day, $18/3-day pass Rimr ock Rd . (Canoecopia) ld Bo 12 N W Broadway 12 18 18 (Beltline) CANOECOPIA CHARITIES The Josh Kestelman Scholarship Fund helps Rutabaga partner with local community centers to get kids out on the water. Last year we got 240 kids out and supported over 2218 hours of paddling fun. You can donate when you check out at the registers. Second Harvest Foodbank is dedicated to ending hunger in southwestern Wisconsin through community partnerships, serving nearly 141,000 people who don’t have enough food to sustain active, healthy lives. Please consider donating a non-perishable food item in one of the collection barrels near the Information Booth. If you donate, you’ll get a free gift from Rutabaga! Add’l Info. www.canoecopia.com 608-223-9300 Main Store Jan. 1–Tues., Mar. 4 Hours 10–6 Mon.–Sat., Closed Sun. Mar. 5–Mar. 12 Closed for Canoecopia Mar. 13–mid April 10–6 Mon.–Sat. 12–5 Sun. see our website for updates X Monona Dr. When March 7: March 8: March 9: r. nD EnergyPaddlesport What World’s Largest Center Expo. Filled with canoes, kayaks, paddle gear, speakers, exhibitors, and the coolest visitors in the world from all over the world. ole nN Joh CANOECOPIA Information in Brief Alliant For the most up-to-date information, go to canoecopia.com