Freshwater Paddlers Symposium
June 22-25, 2023 - Apostle Islands, Wisconsin
Information & Registration
What's The Symposium All About?
Sea Kayak Symposiums are a great way to get jazzed about paddling. If you're growing, you're having fun. If you're having fun, you'll want to keep paddling. New to expert, it doesn't matter. When we're here we're learning together. The Freshwater Paddlers Symposium also wants you to pay it forward. Every year we have a theme to help the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore continue to host paddlers from all over the world, safely and sustainably.
Theme For 2023
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The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, administered by the National Park Service, is one of only three national lakeshores in the country. Its 21 islands and 12 mile stretch of mainland shoreline protect dramatic scenery, vital wildlife habitat, historic lighthouses, and provide the opportunities for exactly the kind of outdoor experience that can be vital in rehabilitation and health, including popular sea kayaking adventures to its sea caves. “Trips like this kept me from giving up when I learned of my progressive neurological disorder,” says paddler Annie Hickman. “Paddling here has been life changing. It shows that I can still do the things I love. It is completely restorative even though I am a puddle when I am done.” The Access for All initiative of Friends of the Apostle Islands is an effort in support of a series of new and ongoing accessibility projects undertaken by the National Park Service including replacing the 45 step staircase to Meyers Beach, the launching area for popular kayaking trips, with an all accessible ramp. Friends is working to raise $325,000 to be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Centennial Fund of the National Park Service to help make this, and other projects, a reality. “Our national parks belong to all of us,” says Jeff Rennicke, Executive Director of Friends, “including the 1 in 5 Americans with mobility issues. Access for All is an effort to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to enjoy the beauty and the health benefits of our great outdoors. Friends greatly appreciates the generosity of Memorial Medical Center in helping make this a reality.” Jeff Rennicke at Memorial Medical Center in front of photo of Devils Island To learn more about Access for All, read the rationale and project description on our website. Click here to donate now, or contact us at 715-449-6900 or by mail at Friends of the Apostle Islands, P.O. Box 1574, Bayfield, WI 54814.
Thursday June 22 & Prior
Pre-Symposium Workshops
4-6pm: Registration & Check-in
7-8:30pm: Welcome & Presentation; Schedule, gear, choosing a 'track'.
Friday June 23
9am-4pm: Skills Clinics & Coaching Tours
10am-4pm: Boat Demos & Vendors
1-4pm: Social Paddle
7pm: Adventure Film
Saturday June 24
9am-4pm: Skills Clinics & Coaching Tours
10am-4pm: Gear Swap
Boat Demos & Vendors
11am-1pm: Social Paddle
6pm: Dinner - Potluck?
8pm: Keynote Presentation & 2023 theme
Sunday June 25
9am-1pm: Skills Clinics & Coaching Tours
10am-12pm: Boat Demos
11am-1pm: Social Paddle
Boat Demos
2pm: Closing Ceremony
Clinic Schedule (Subject to conditions)
Pre-Event Workshops (Event registration NOT required)
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June 20-22: (Tues pm 3 hrs/Wed/Thurs) American Canoe Association - Advanced Communications Workshop with Nancy Uschold. $275
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Greenland Paddle Carving (Potential workshop, 1.5 days)
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American Canoe Association - Instructor Updates. Coming soon. $TBD
Thursday June 22
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2-6pm: Check-In
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4-6pm: Foundational Fun - Efficiency, on your edges, Q&A
Friday - June 23
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9-11am: Paddle Play - an introduction to kayaking. Get ready to get wet!
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10am to12pm: Rock & Roll! Instruction in braces & rolling. Euro and Traditional paddles welcome! We'll travel to a nearby inland lake for warmer water.
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11am-12:30pm: Navigation 101-Plotting & Planning
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1-3pm: Using the Traditional (Greenland) Paddle
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1-3pm: Paddle Stroke Video Analysis
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2pm to 4pm: Rock & Roll! Instruction in braces & rolling. Euro and Traditional paddles welcome! We'll travel to a nearby inland lake for warmer water.
Saturday - June 24
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9-11am: Paddle Play: an introduction to kayaking. Get ready to get wet!
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9am-12:30pm: Basic Safety & Rescues (Scholarships available for non-event participants through Lost Creek Adventures)
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10am to12pm: Rock & Roll! Instruction in braces & rolling. Euro and Traditional paddles welcome! We'll travel to a nearby inland lake for warmer water.
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2-4pm: Paddler Photography Learn about the gear and methods specific to on-water photography
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2-4pm: Paddling With Kids
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3-4pm: Conditioning For Paddlers
Sunday - June 25
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9-11am: Paddle Play: an introduction to kayaking. Get ready to get wet!
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10am-12pm: Paddle Stroke Video Analysis & Feedback
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11am: Next Steps? Interested in coaching or becoming a paddle leader? Come to this discussion.
Coaching Tours Schedule
Subject to wind, waves, & weather. We reserve the right to alter trip location for quality and safety considerations.
Thursday - June 22
9:30-4pm Sea Caves Leadership Coaching
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You: Some sea kayak rescue experience preferred, no leadership experience required.
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What: We'll visit the mainland sea caves with a coach who will cover safety and scenarios. A great way to see that caves from an inside view of leadership and risk management. Additional $75 fee, pay during checkout.
9:30-4pm Advanced Topics Coaching
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You: Intermediate or higher skills and experience. Some group leadership experience preferred.
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What: This is a chance to push your skills with an experienced coach. We'll pick the venue based on finding 'level 3' conditions; sea caves, rock gardens, surf, etc. Opportunity to gain your ACA level 3 skills assessment. Additional $75 fee, pay during checkout.
12-4pm Rock Gardens & Sea Caves (Intermediate) We'll find fun caves and/or rocks to play in. We'll hope for a bit of wind and wave conditions to challenge our maneuvers. This session will cover portions of the ACA 'Rock Garden & Sea Caves' curriculum. (ACA Level 3 or equivalent skills required)
Friday
1-4pm Rock Gardening Play Session (Novice) We'll find fun caves and/or rocks to play in. We'll hope for a bit of wind and wave conditions to challenge our maneuvers.
9:30-4pm(ish) Sand Island Circumnavigation This is a 12 mile paddle leaving and returning from Little Sand Bay. The crossing from Little Sand Bay can be rough, and in June often involves fog. We'll work on navigation and efficiency of paddling strokes as we explore this area of the Apostles. (Registration coming soon)
Saturday
1-4pm Rock Gardens & Sea Caves (Novice & Intermediate) We'll find fun caves and/or rocks to play in. We'll hope for a bit of wind and wave conditions to challenge our maneuvers.
Sunday
10am-1pm: Downwind Paddle: Use the wind and waves to move the group along. A fun social paddle. Wind dependent, of course! We may split the group into intermediate and advanced, depending upon interest.
Registration
Location: Cornucopia, Wisconsin. Meeting area is near the beach at Swenson Pavilion. Other meeting locations will be provided after registration.
Area & Logistics: lodging, things to bring, and other links at the bottom of this page.
Costs
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Visitors are free! This includes the gear swap and vendor booths.
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General Tuition: This covers attendance of all social events, t-shirt, clinics, most 'Coaching Tours', and demo beach.
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Full event - $295
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One-day entry - $110
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Full Day Coaching Tours & Pre-Symposium Workshops may have an additional charge as noted in the description. Just or make sure to add them to your cart prior to checkout, as they will fill fast!
Cancellation Policy
45+days prior, full refund. If you need to cancel within 45 days of the event we can provide a 50% refund or apply the full amount to next years event. This includes general tuition and add-on coaching tours and workshops.
Please pay with Credit or Debit Card if possible (less fees than PayPal)
If registering for a Coaching Tour and/or Pre-Symposium Workshop return to this page to add to your Paypal cart
Donate to the Friends of the Apostle Islands 'Access For All' campaign
(This is a separate donation, and is tax deductible)
Sponsors
Currently seeking sponsors to assist with administrative tasks, as well as vendors, and manufacturing/industry reps for demonstration equipment and raffle. Please contact us to discuss.
Symposium Theme & Volunteer Partner
Website & Registration Partner
Advertising & Instruction
