CanoeSport Outfitters

Basics Of Navigation

Learn how to use a map and compass! This hands-on classroom experience will provide compasses, maps, and easy instructions on how to use them. This session is open to anyone who wants to learn for the first time or refresh their existing skills.

 

Broken Skull River 

Have you ever dreamed of running a wild and very remote, northern river?  The South Nahanni River and its tributary, the Broken Skull River, were on my list of far north canoeing adventures.  Located in the Northwest Territories of Canada deep in rugged northern reaches of the Rocky Mountains, these rivers have it all.  Take a seat in the bow of my pakboat and join four “old” paddlers as we portage out of Divide Lake into 40 kilometers of continuous rapids on the way to Virgina Falls, which is two times taller than Niagara Falls.  Bring a helmet, two paddles and a sense of adventure.

 

4 Chicks Boundary Waters Trip

Are you interested in a Boundary Waters trip but worried about your paddling and carrying capabilities?  We were the slowest paddlers and slow on the portages we encountered, yet we had a great time.  I'll talk about our trip: what would we do the same, what would we do differently, how we managed portages despite not being strong, and what were the consequences of being slow in the Boundary Waters.  Of course, I'll also mention the amazing wildlife sights and sounds and the fantastic night skies.

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Common Mistakes Made Choosing a Canoe or Kayak

Buying a kayak or canoe can be a bit pricey, we understand! Unfortunately there is no one perfect canoe or kayak that does it all, just like the shoes we wear. How long do you go, what material is best, why are certain features on some boats and not on others, how important are adjustable footraces and seats, why should you care about bulkheads, what the heck are skid plates? Shireen will answer all these questions and help guide you to making a good purchase or rental decision. 

 

Gates of the Mountains - A Montana Paradise

Come join Dave as he guides you through a unique collision of mountains and the Missouri river called Gates of the Mountains in Montana. A region rich in history from Lewis & Clark to the Mann Gulch tragedy.

 

Gear and Packing Decisions for a Boundary Waters Trip

Different people make different decisions about what gear they prefer for canoe trips in the Boundary Waters, and that can be OK.  If you would like to see and learn about some different gear decisions that you might want to think about, come to this interactive talk with Duluth Packs versus a waterproof pack versus backpacking backpacks, rain coats with or without pit zips, rain coats under or over your life jacket, pants with or without bungie ankles, different footwear choices, tents versus hammocking, different canoe paddle designs, bear cannisters versus hanging, matches versus flint, and map suggestions. 

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Going Solo in the BWCA: Preparing your mind, body, and gear for the trip of a lifetime.

The difference life makes in goals, equipment selection, and a satisfying wilderness experience.  Lessons learned from carrying baggage from a technologically advanced world into raw and boundless wild places. By 2024 It had been over ten years since my last extended wilderness experience, and starting with the planning I was almost overwhelmed – until the wilderness began to teach me. Since April 2025 I have spent over 40 days and nights solo in the BWCA, and another 30 days on other solo adventures.  The skills you learn going solo contribute to any wilderness adventure, including groups, family, and friends.

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Grand Canyon Self Support – Against All Odds

In January 2011, a team of 15 experienced whitewater paddlers undertook a self-supported expedition through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River. Beyond the inherent challenges of navigating the canyon's formidable rapids and winter weather, the team was confronted with a critical medical emergency requiring immediate and decisive action. This is the narrative of their extraordinary resilience and their successful life-saving efforts, revealing how they overcame unforeseen adversity.

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How to Pack a Sea Kayak

Ever wonder how people go on week long trips in their kayaks? How does it all fit in there!? Shireen will discuss how to pack your paddling and camping gear into you kayak. Focus will be on gear choices in relation to your paddling environment, weight considerations, how to carry water, and does the chocolate really need to go? Presentation is a demonstration so get ready to see it all live!

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ICON Watertrails

Discover how ICON is working to connect water, communities, and people! Join ICON Executive Director Stephanie Oppel as she shares the organization’s mission and highlights its impactful initiatives. Learn about ICON’s downtown projects including more than $100M investment in infrastructure, including water quality and safety improvements, a growing regional network, and key insights from their work as a regional not-for-profit focused on improving access to recreation, conservation, safety and serving as a catalyst for economic growth in the region.

 

Jackson Kayak, Eddyline Kayak, And Werner Paddles

Hear what makes Jackson Kayaks, Eddyline Kayaks, and Werner Paddles unique in the paddlesports industry. Come prepared to ask questions about these companies and hear how Eddyline and Werner came to be part of Jackson Kayaks.   

 

​Kayak Catfishing

Kayak catfishing small streams is as close to an adventure as you can get, often only a short drive away. Spencer shares some of the ins and outs of how he plans their adventures, as well as effectively targeting the fish you're looking for.

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Kayaking Lake Red Rock

Lake Red Rock is Iowa’s largest lake, featuring an extensive shoreline of sandstone bluffs, forested uplands, and sandy beaches. Kayaking is an excellent way to view its scenery and learn about the local geology, fossils, and wildlife. In addition to highlighting these natural features, this slideshow will describe the history of the area, including Indian treaties, the lost town of Red Rock, and the Peace Tree.

 

Kayaking New Zealand

Kayaking New Zealand is an outdoor enthusiast's ideal destination, especially for sea kayakers. The South Island alone boasts some of the most rugged coastline one could ever paddle, from dynamic tide races and thrilling whitewater rivers to towering fjord lands and calm, sheltered sounds. So when Constance heard of a guiding job there from a friend of a friend - as often happens in the kayaking community - she jumped at the opportunity and soon found herself in the sea-flooded valleys of the Marlborough Sounds at the north end of the South Island. 

 

Based out of the Queen Charlotte Sound, Constance led tours that allowed others to connect with nature on a deeply personal level, something she truly cherished. From feeling the sea breeze roll in, paddling through thousands of moon jellyfish, brushing Manuka leaves to reveal their fresh scent and pausing to hear the song of the Bellbirds, the Sounds captivated all the senses. On her days off from guiding, Constance ventured into the whitewater rivers near Murchison to keep learning and honing in her skills. Once the season ended, she traveled farther south to experience the dramatic fjord lands of Milford Sound. 

 

Join her presentation to witness the beauty of Aotearoa through her experience and perhaps spark an adventure of your own.

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Key Concepts for Paddlers

Learn ten key things beginning paddlers should understand. This presentation will discuss how posture improves balance and paddling efficiency, why paddle placement matters, why paddling correctly works your core and not your arms. Discussion will also cover shaft angle, stroke length, and more tips that will make you a better paddler and reduce your fatigue.

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Missouri 340: The World's Longest Non-stop River Race

Join Dave paddling the world's longest non-stop river race - 340 miles of the Missouri river. The race starts in Kansas City MO and finishes in St Charles MO with competitors working to stay ahead of the Reaper over the course of 4 days. Most of the paddlers participate not to win but to survive 4 days of the river testing their skills of endurance paddling. Come learn about this amazing race that celebrated its 20 year anniversary in 2025.

 

New Paddler Intro

Are you new to paddling and not sure where to start or how to be safe on the water? Todd will talk about general safety, how to read rivers, resources to use to help plan your first trips, and good beginner friendly waterways to explore. He'll show you resources by the Iowa DNR to help find waterways. He will also talk about ways to enjoy rivers by combining paddling and cycling. This allows you enjoy rivers solo and make a day or weekend of adventure!

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Paddling the Iowa River Greenbelt

The Iowa River as it flows through Hardin County is unique; both when compared to the rest of the river above and below this area, but also in the overall region itself. Many stretches here flow relatively quickly over a rocky bottom, with tall bluffs, deep gorges, and rugged cliffs present in several sections. There’s even a cave that can be hiked up to while on a float trip. We’ll review some of the geological history that created these features and highlight several sections of the river that make for great paddling trips. At lower water levels, fishing can also be fantastic in these stretches, and we’ll discuss primary species and tactics. There are easy ways to tie-in other recreational opportunities in the greenbelt area, including hiking, camping, and biking, and we’ll give an overview of a bike trail along the river that is under development, the Iowa Rivers Edge Trail.

 

Solo Circumnavigating Lake Superior

Constance's solo circumnavigation of Lake Superior is a remarkable feat of endurance, determination and passion for adventure. In her daring 57 day expedition, she embarked on a journey paddling the world's largest freshwater lake, covering nearly 1,200 miles of rugged shoreline, navigating through impenetrable fog and dramatically changing water conditions. Along the way, she paddled past towering cliffs, picturesque lighthouses, through majestic sea caves and across pristine waters, experiencing the beauty and isolation of the lake like few others have.

 

Paddling alone on this remote and powerful lake requires skill, preparation, and a sense of adventure. This expedition was not just a physical challenge, managing her chronic illness, but one of mental resiliency as she embraced the solitude of solo travel, the demands of self-sufficiency and the mental strain required to navigate Lake Superior's often unpredictable conditions.

 

Her journey not only highlights the physical limits of what one can achieve but also underscores the deep bond that forms between an adventurer and the natural world when faced with such an incredible challenge.

 

St. Johns River

The St. Johns River in Northern Maine is beautiful wilderness river filled with rocks and moose.  It is also very remote, hard to access and rarely paddled by Midwesterner’s.  Getting our gear to Maine was a bigger challenge then paddling the river.   Follow our pakboat though the airport, down a logging road, into the river and out to Allagash Village.  Help us “pack the boat” and explore Maine’s version of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

 

Tiny Driftless

This presentation will focus on three fantastic little rivers; two of them in northeast Iowa and one just across the border in Minnesota. Paddling trips on the Volga, Yellow, and South Branch Root Rivers can be rainfall-dependent, but the rewards of catching them at the right level are immense; spectacular scenery, stunning rock formations, good fishing, and waters that often flow swift, clear and cool. We’ll highlight a couple of my favorite sections of each river, detailing access points and main features. As a bonus, we’ll review information about another small stream in northeast Iowa that might be worth a try if you’re really up for an “adventure”!

 

TRAK Kayaks: Assembly & Care

A foldable, skin-on-frame kayak that's packable, sturdy for rough surf, can be sat or climbed on, and withstands T-rescues without frame damage. Packed in the bag it only weighs 56 lbs. Solves storage issues and transportation issues. Once assembled it is durable enough to be trailered or car topping. We’ll assemble and disassemble the kayak during the presentation and provide insight into how to pack it and use it on trips. 

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Upper Ocoee Whitewater

Enjoy a picture and video trip down the rapids of the Upper section of the Ocoee River in Tennessee.  The Ocoee River is a whitewater hotbed that sees over 250,000 whitewater rafters, kayakers, and canoers annually, and the Upper section was the site of the 1996 Olympic whitewater slalom events.  The rapids are big and exciting, and sometimes there is swimming.

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Welcome To Expo & CanoeSport

CanoeSport staff will provide a brief history of the Iowa Paddlesport Expo and CanoeSport Outfitters. They will be available to answer questions and provide details regarding the Iowa Paddlesport Expo and how it ties into Demofest, our on-water event in May