{"id":28269,"date":"2018-03-19T11:56:25","date_gmt":"2018-03-19T16:56:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/?p=28269"},"modified":"2018-03-19T11:56:25","modified_gmt":"2018-03-19T16:56:25","slug":"canoecopia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/canoecopia\/","title":{"rendered":"Canoecopia in Madison Welcomes Paddling Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

After nine days of snow in February fell and\u00a0melted, and as the days grow warmer and longer, it’s time to leave winter for a spring outdoor adventure. A perfect segue for this time period is Canoecopia<\/a>. This is the\u00a0world\u2019s biggest paddlesport exhibition, which takes place each year in\u00a0Madison, Wisconsin.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Canoecopia\"
Exhibition area at Canoecopia<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Canoecopia: What, where, and when<\/h3>\n

Canoecopia is organized\u00a0by Rutabaga Paddle Sports<\/a>, which is run by Darren Bush. The company is located in\u00a0Madison, so the exhibition takes place there also. Wisconsin is a fitting state to host the event as the state features some of the best and most varied canoeing and kayaking options in the country. The event’s location is at the Alliant Energy Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At this time each year, thousands of\u00a0flannel-wearing, grizzly bearded, paddling enthusiasts gather. The exhibition spans the entire weekend from Friday to Sunday. Canoecopia features speakers, paddlesport gear companies, and canoe outfitters trying to lure paddlers to their destination.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Canoecopia
One of the speaker halls at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison for Canoecopia<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Canoecopia presentations<\/h3>\n

The presentations take place in rooms named BWCA, Algonquin, Bear, and Loon, and are outside the main exhibition hall.\u00a0The speakers tell a story and share pictures from a\u00a0paddling adventure, provide\u00a0tips on an outdoor skill,\u00a0highlight a region or river, or champion an outdoor cause.<\/p>\n

Some of the presentations I attended included a journey through the Apostle Islands, an animal photography session, and a speaker talk about suggested routes in Quetico Provincial Park. Quetico\u00a0is a favorite canoe area for many in Ontario, Canada. Popular speakers Dave and Amy Freeman from the Wilderness Classroom present on\u00a0the cause of saving the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) from the threat of sulfide mining. They speak every year, and are a crowd favorite.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Exhibition Hall and Outfitters<\/h3>\n

Move into the main room, and you’ll be surrounded by canoes, kayaks, PFDs, paddles, tents, RVs, camping equipment, and just about anything canoe, kayak, and SUP related. All of these companies are selling their wares at discounted prices. There’s no better way to start off the paddling season than by buying a new canoe.<\/p>\n

Interspersed with the canoes and kayaks for sale are outfitters and tourism bureaus from across the country and even Canada. You can get information from Woodland Caribou Provincial Park or even the nearby Pine or Sugar Rivers. These two rivers are not too far across the state line in Wisconsin. Another great state for canoeing is Florida; therefore, the Sunshine State is\u00a0well represented with North Natural Florida and the Everglades.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Sugar
Canoeing the Sugar River just over the border in Wisconsin due to information received from last year’s Canoecopia<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Illinois was also represented\u00a0at Canoecopia. Our very own Kayak Chicago<\/a> was present in order to pass out and provide\u00a0information on some of their trips.\u00a0They offer guided trips, classes, and rentals on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Join a club<\/h3>\n

Several canoe clubs have booths at Canoecopia. A club is a\u00a0great place to start if you want to canoe or kayak because finding like-minded people is a great way to get motivated to paddle more. The Prairie State Canoe Club<\/a> from Illinois was on hand\u00a0signing up new members for a bargain price of $20 a year.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The cure for cabin fever<\/h3>\n

The cure for cabin fever is getting out in a canoe or kayak. As temperatures hover around 30-40 degrees, the weather is not really optimal for the sport until April or May. In the meantime, get excited about the coming warmer months by attending Canoecopia.<\/p>\n

Check out the Canoecopia website<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Disclosure<\/h3>\n

The author did receive complimentary passes for Canoecopia; however, this did not impact this post as opinions are purely my own.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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