The Consumer Electronics Show for Paddlers

My wife and I got hooked on kayaking last summer when we took a class nearby.

After more classes and a kayaking trip to Michigan, we now find ourselves looking to buy our first kayaks.

We researched. We browsed local sporting good stores.

We installed a roof rack on the Jeep Wrangler.

And now we’ve landed at Canoecopia, the Consumer Electronics Show for Paddlers.

World’s Larges Paddling Expo

Madison, Wisconsin-based Rutabaga Paddlesports is a massive player in the canoe and kayak market. Each year, Darren Bush and his team sponsor Canoecopia, an event that attracts top brands, top speakers, and 20,000 paddling enthusiasts from all over North America.

The event had anything you could want.

Wooden Kayaks that you could build as a kit.

Or this very attractive Teardrop Camper, which is popular among Tiny House enthusiasts.  Only $2,000 and it is yours!

Here, my wife takes a seat in a red Delta 12.10.

Presentations We Made

Choosing Your First Kayak – Sherri Merta did a great job helping us narrow our focus. Buy what you plan to paddle. You don’t want a recreational kayak if you plan to paddle Isle Royal, for example.

Choosing the Perfect Kayak Paddle – Dan Mongno clarified the mystery around paddles and their use.

Emergency Room Procedures in the Wilderness – Neal Schroeter is an emergency room physician. He did a great job setting the stage if you need to evacuate someone from a remote location. Good advice and ideas for Scouting, too.

Here, Schroeter demonstrates how to reset a dislocated shoulder.

Build Your Best Wilderness First Aid Kit – Kerry Ahrens also is an emergency room physician. She offered some practical tips for planning your Wilderness First Aid Kit.

Take Aways

The best way to decide on your kayak is to get in and paddle. For a deposit, you can come to Rutabaga and paddle at their store when the temperature improves.

Our decision is between a Delta and a British-made Venture.

We purchased this Perception Expression 11.5 for our son.

We expect him to grow into it. We also told him to get a job if he wanted the paddle in his hand. As you might expect, he grabbed the most expensive paddle on the floor.

Next year, we plan to return to hear more presentations and maybe purchase a skirt or wet-clothes.

In all, a fun and informative weekend.  And we got to drive home with bling!