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stephantheman
Member
Post Number: 4
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 12:19 pm: | 
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I was wondering if some of you folks could help me with some ideas? I would like to know what types of things you might like to see at a Canoe Symposium. This would be a small volunteer run ‘grassroots’ type one-day event. I already have a great list of ideas but I’m always looking for more input! I don’t have to worry about the hard-core paddlers stopping in but I’d like to attract some new/amateur people to paddling as well. I’m looking for two things really….the main reasons you would attend and the different or unique ideas that you would find interesting at a Canoe Symposium. I’ve asked people who don’t canoe and friends who are very much into it and have received some very good ideas. The ideas could be anything from lessons, to workshops, to presentations, etc…..What would make you want to attend one? |
ed
Moderator
Post Number: 259
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 8:29 am: |
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A Wilderness Canoe Symposium is held in Toronto. This year on February 3 and 4th.For information go to www.ottertooth.com home page.
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stephantheman
Member
Post Number: 6
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 12:14 pm: |
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Hi Ed,
Thanks! Although I've never attended it, I've heard of that one. They have some interesting things and some similar ideas. It also seems they focus quite a bit on vendors and sponsors as well but our little symposium in Northern Ontario wouldn't have either (well it's not in the plans yet anyways). I wanted to focus on things like Information (Tutorials, demos, presentations), Safety and Conservation. It would only be a one day event. I don't know what the turnout would be but I'm still just gathering ideas. I have a very good list but it's always good to hear from paddlers everywhere what they like seeing and what they enjoyed at other symposiums.
Stephan |
barbara
Member
Post Number: 21
Registered: 06-2004
| | Posted on Friday, January 20, 2006 - 11:44 pm: |
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Hi Stephan
I'm not sure where you got the idea that the Wilderness Canoeing Symposium in Toronto in February that Ed is referring to has sponsors and vendors. As far as I know, and what has been reported by attendees, there are neither.
Yes, it's a tripod website, so there are pop-ups:
http://members.tripod.com/northernbooks/symposium/ current1.html
There are other canoeing expos and syposiums, mostly in the US.
Here are two that are held in the winter months and obviously don't have in-water demos or lessons:
Canoecopia is huge and has quite a few Canadian speakers:
http://www.rutabaga.com/canoecopia/page.asp?pgid=1 001
Quietwater Sympsoium, Maine :
http://www.quietwatersymposium.org/
As these come up, they usually get listed on the "Events" forum on CCR.
As for your proposal, the first question I would ask is: where is it to be held?
Then I would ask: what ideas have you come up with so far? Specifically, that is. It's hard to suggest stuff when you don't have an idea of what is already in the works.
To focus on beginning canoeists is tough to do with a one-day event. How much can you teach someone in a few hours? What is it that you would want to get across and how? Would your focus be to target a certain age group?
Sorry for not coming up with suggestions, but I'm not really clear on what the focus of your proposed symposium is.
Barbara
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stephantheman
Member
Post Number: 7
Registered: 07-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 23, 2006 - 12:48 pm: |
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Barbara,
Thanks for the reply! My mistake! I must have had too many windows minimized when I was talking about vendors. I checked my links and it was Canoecopia I was thinking about.
The Quietwater Symposium looks great! It's very close to what I would like to see. Maine seems to have it figured out because both symposiums I've found on the internet that closely resemble what I'm looking for are found there.
Our little symposium would be held in Northern Ontario.
I purposely left out my ideas since I didn't want everyone to just add a quick "yeah, looks good" message and not suggest anything. This way I not only get new ideas but if I see the same ones coming up over and over, I know they're important and should be included. So far, there are things for the newcomers like a "How to choose a canoe to suit your needs" seminar, "How to choose a paddle" seminar and lessons on solo/tandem flatwater/whitewater. There are some things that would appeal to seasoned canoeists as well like Poling,Wood canoe repair/restoration, etc... I would also like to have various speakers come in and discuss topics (perhaps slide shows). I have many great ideas but just making sure I didn't leave anything out that would be a very popular at our event.
The symposium would focus on three main topics:
- Information (Instructional, Educational, Historical)
- Safety
- Conservation
It's still in the 'idea' stage.
Stephan
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