Freshwater Paddlers Symposium
June 27-30, 2024
Apostle Islands Wisconsin
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 2024
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In 2023 our theme sponsor was the Friends of the Apostle Islands - Access for All initiative, an effort to support 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. Our event provided $1500 ($3000 after a matching donation) to the 325,000 needed 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. What's in store for 24? We're currently researching where we can make the most impact.
Thursday & Prior
Pre-Symposium Workshops
2-6pm: Registration & Check-in
3pm until... Social Paddle & Skills Shakedown
Dinner
Friday
9am-4pm: Boat Play Track - Edging/Bracing & Rescues
9am-4pm: Journey Track - Island Adventure or Geology Tour
10am-4pm: Vendors on site
5pm: Fish Fry
7pm: Presentation
Saturday
9am-4pm: Boat Play Track - Rolling & Coaching
9am-4pm: Journey Track - Island Adventure or Geology Tour
10am-4pm: Gear Swap, Vendors, and SPECIAL COURSES
6pm: Dinner provided at Corny Coffee
7:30pm: Presentation & 2024 theme
Sunday
9am-1pm: 'Downwind Delicacy' social downwind paddle (If wind:) or 'Explore The Shore' looking for rock gardens and other fun features to play in.
9am-1pm: Rolling clinics
11am-1pm: Social paddle
1:30pm: Farewells & Until Next Year...
Clinic Schedule
The following schedule is a taste from last year. Stay tuned for similar and additions for 2024.
Pre-Event Workshops (Symposium registration NOT required)
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Tues 3 hrs & Wed/Thurs all day. American Canoe Association - Advanced Communications Workshop with Nancy Uschold. $275
Thursday
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2-6pm: Check-In
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Social Shakedown - 3 to 5pm - This afternoon session will simply get everyone on the water to get acquainted with each other, the area and help assess where their weekend will take them.
Friday
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9-4pm: Paddle Play Track - an introduction to real sea kayaking including how to use your edge, preventing capsize with bracing and fun games to challenge your abilities. Get ready to get wet!
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9am-4pm: Journey Track - Depending upon conditions we'll choose a location that is both fun and challenging. Crossings, navigation, and Apostle-only features are expected...
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5pm: Fish Fry! (Self pay)
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7pm: Presentation
Saturday
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9-4pm: Paddle Play Track - Rolling & Coaching Clinics including the option of video assessment of skills
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9am-4pm: Journey Track - Depending upon conditions we'll choose a location that is both fun and challenging. Crossings, navigation, and Apostle-only features are expected...
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10am-1pm: Basic Safety & Rescues FREE! Please email us if interested. (Space limited) Must supply own boat and paddle or rent. ($40) Other safety and rescue gear provided.
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2-5pm: Paddle strokes & boat handling. Up your game quickly in this short course. $65 or included with full admission.
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2-5pm: Intro to Rolling & Enhanced Rolling (Greenland & other) $65 or included with full admission.
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6pm: Dinner (Provided)
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7:30pm: Presentation
Sunday
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9am-1pm: 'Downwind Delicacy' or Shoreline Exploration, depending upon conditions. A downwind paddle is just what it sounds like. We'll drop you off and we'll surf/sail/paddle combo to the takeout. Very fun! If no wind we'll explore an interesting part of the Apostles shoreline, perhaps with rock features to challenge our advanced strokes.
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1:30pm: Symposium ends.
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, event swag, clinics, and Saturday dinner.
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Full event - $295 - All inclusive
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Saturday clinics - $65 each (Pay at the door)
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Full Day Coaching Tours & Pre-Symposium Workshops may have an additional charge as noted in the description. Make sure to add them to your cart prior to checkout, they will fill fast!
Cancellation Policy
45+days prior, full refund minus a 5% Admin Fee. If you need to cancel within 60 days of the event we can provide a 50% refund, or apply the full refund amount to next years event.
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
Early Bird Pricing Now Through April 27th! ($395 after)
Sponsors & Partners
Currently seeking sponsors, vendors, and manufacturing/industry reps for demonstration equipment and raffle. Please contact us to discuss.
Symposium Theme & Volunteer Partner
Website & Registration Partner
Advertising & Instruction Partner
Silent Auction Sponsor
