ONLINE: Canoecopia

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S. Schnell

People are itching to get outside. Good news, here comes Canoecopia. Even if you happen to be busy this weekend, the presentations at this year's virtual paddlefest are going to be available online for another 60 days. But try to make any of the three actual days to take part in live Q & As as well as the virtual vendor booths, where you can browse and ask questions about gear. Presentations range from many talks about inclusivity in paddling (age, race, gender) to wilderness skills — and all the amazing destinations; find a sampling listed below. Find tickets ($15) here.

A message from Rutabaga Paddlesports: We gave it considerable thought and for the safety of everyone involved, we made the hard but necessary decision to take Canoecopia 2021 virtual. The dates are the same as originally scheduled, March 12-14, 2021, and while we'll miss our in-person paddling family reunion, we plan to make our virtual event as close to the real thing as we can.

What to expect at Virtual Canoecopia: Trying to recreate the in-person experience would be silly, so why not make it, in some ways, better? Virtual Canoecopia won’t replace the laughs, hugs, and energy that comes from person-to-person interactions, but we want it to be the next best thing. So join us for an educational and inspirational virtual gathering with the paddlesports community.

80+ Presentations: Don't miss a speaker this year! Room sizes are unlimited and most presentations will be available for viewing up to 60 days after the event with your ticket purchase. You'll be able to live text chat, direct message, and in some cases partake in live Q&As with speakers during and after their presentation.

70+ Exhibitors: Explore exhibitor virtual booths, where you can text chat with exhibitors, watch product demos and see presentations from their shops, galleries, and factories. Exhibitors can share informational documents and have virtual meetings scheduled for attendees to talk with a representative, just like in-person Canoecopia. Some exhibitors will be offering free giveaways during the weekend so be sure to check out all the booths!

Gear: Take advantage of the best gear selection and availability of the year! Due to continuing supply issues and increased demand, some items may be in limited supply this year, so don't delay on getting the gear you want for summer. There will also be special deals & incentives on gear for ticket holders.

Other perks: No parking fees! Wear your pajamas! And for you shy folks, you don’t have to push through any crowds!

We hope to “see” you there! Tickets are $15.

Note: If you purchased a ticket for Canoecopia 2020, your ticket will be honored at the next in-person Canoecopia. If you would prefer a refund, please return your tickets by mail or in-person to Rutabaga - 220 W Broadway, Monona, WI 53716 - and we can refund you no problem. You will need to purchase a ticket for the virtual event separately.

*In addition to purchasing your ticket, you may also donate to Rutabaga's Josh Kestelman Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship Fund is a central part of our ongoing commitment to make paddling accessible to all, with the funds going to help offset the costs of paddling programs for local area youth. The fund exists because paddlers from near and far have given us the resources to keep serving kids. Every donation, large or small is a chance for more kids to get out on the water, so if you'd like to contribute, any amount is greatly appreciated!

Presentations include:

Camp/Wilderness Skills: Backcountry Tripping: Packing Light and Traveling Fast - Joe Robinet; Leave No Trace/How To Poop In The Woods - Kevin Ayers; Emergency Room Procedures in the Wilderness - Neal Schroeter; Introduction to Weather for Paddlers - David Johnston; Real-World Safety: A LIVE Panel Discussion! - John Van Barriger & Panel ...and more!

Conservation: What Would a Sulfide-Ore Copper Mine on the Edge of the Boundary Waters Look Like? - Levi Lexvold, Dave & Amy Freeman; Sniffing for Snails: A Collaborative Approach for the Early Detection of New Zealand Mudsnail - Laura Holder & Ellen Voss; Our Changing Climate: Its Effects on Outdoor Sports and What You Can Do About It! - Bob Lindmeier...and more!

Cooking/Meal Planning/Nutrition: Food Dehydration 101 - Mona Gauthier; People, Paddling, and Food - Ross & Cheryl Pettit

Film: Coming Home: Kayaking the Fjords of Norway - David Ellingson & Ellen Kolbo-McDonah

Fishing: Canoe Country Walleyes: The Fish for All Seasons - Craig Zarley; Essential Paddling Skills for the Kayak Angler - Danny Mongno; Kayak Fishing: Getting Started - Bill Schultz Door County: Kayak Fishing for Trophy Smallmouth Bass - Bill Schultz

Musical Performance:  Outdoor Songs for Kids of All Ages - Jerry Vandiver & Camper Cait

Nature, Environmental & Science: An Introduction to Tides and Currents for Freshwater Paddlers - David Johnston; Keynote Species of Northern Waters - John Bates; Loons in our Northern Waters - Erica LeMoine...and more

Photography, Writing and Art: Canoe & Kayak Photography Tips - Bryan Hansel

Trip Planning:  Group Leadership for Amazing Day Trips - John Chase; Overcoming Challenges While Solo Tripping - Camper Christina; Perfectly Pack your Kayak for a Multi-Day Trip - John Chase; Solo Tripping - One Step at a Time - Mary Blaisdell;

Taking Youth into the Backcountry - Dave & Elizabeth Goodspeed; Tips & Tricks for First-time BWCA Travelers - Steven & Kathy Nelson; Ultralight Canoe Camping in the Boundary Waters - Rob Kesselring ...and more!

Trips/Places - Canada: Best Paddling Trips of the Canadian Side of Lake Superior - David Johnston; Circumnavigating Ontario's Philip Edward Island - Roger Pihlaja; Ontario's Lost Canoe Routes - Kevin Callan; The Wabakimi Wilderness - Vern Fish

Trips/Places - International: A Kayak Mothership Adventure in Patagonia - Robert Rolley & Karen Mesmer; Coming Home: Kayaking the Fjords of Norway - David Ellingson & Ellen Kolbo-McDonah; Paddling Destinations Worldwide! - Rob Kesselring ...and more!

Trips/Places - Local/Upper Midwest: Adrift in the Driftless - Timothy Bauer; Paddling Isle Royale During COVID: Considerations, Transportation Options, and Wolf Pups - Christopher Amidon; Adventure Forward: Women in the BWCA - Lori Vogel & LuAnn Buechler; Canoeing Wild Rivers - Cliff Jacobson; Exploring the Baraboo River Water Trail - Raine Gardner; Five Rivers Canoe Voyage - Gary & Linda De Kock; Kayaking in the Apostle Islands - Steve Ballou; Sylvania Wilderness: Social Distancing in da UP - Al & Marsha Fairfield; The St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers - Dale Cox; The Unsalted Sea: Paddle Surfing the Great Lakes - Keith Wikle; The Wisconsin River Centennial Canoe Trail - Katina Daanen; Unique BWCA Sites You should Visit - Steven Nelson; Wisconsin Lake Michigan Water Trail Top Ten Paddles - Babs Smith & Rick Malchow ...and more!

Trips/Places - U.S.: A Solo Canoe Journey to Maine's New National Monument - Laurie Chandler; Dre's West Coast Adventure: Paddling from Canada to Mexico - Andrea Knepper; Paddling the Green River in Mammoth Cave National Park - Roger Pihlaja; Wild Rivers of the Wild West - Dan York