Every March, paddlers make a pilgrimage to Madison, WI for Canoecopia, the world’s largest paddlesports expo. For three days, they wander the 250,000-square-foot Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall, where they can sit in boats, grip paddles and try on clothing. It’s an unparalleled opportunity to find a helmet and PFD that fit, get your hands on the latest tow systems, and continue your quest for a pair of paddling shoes that are flexible, grippy and comfortable. But there’s so much more to it than that. There are also a dozen simultaneous presentations going on every hour, from rolling clinics to expedition reports, and rows and rows of exhibitors promoting everything from Canadian provincial parks to wilderness medical training to paddling publications. And the people staffing all of these booths actually know what they’re talking about. They’re owners, designers and reps with a deep commitment to connecting with paddlers to share their wares and collect feedback from the people who use them. Add in the family reunion component, and you have Canoecopia, an unrivaled weekend of paddlesports geekdom just waiting for the water to thaw. This year, we didn’t really need much of anything new, and there weren’t any earth-shattering innovations on display. But there were a number of interesting updates to paddling essentials. Here are some things that caught our eye: North Water has a new tow system: the Dynamic Tow Line PRO 35′. The bag includes mesh drainage areas and unrolls like a crepe, and the hard plastic float has been replaced with a soft one that grips the rope. A super-simple new bungee system allows paddlers to adjust the resistance it offers, and the whole system is more pliable than the Sea Tec tow line (a boon for smaller paddlers). We plan to try it out during our upcoming trip to Wales. P&H Aries 150, which is like a Delphin with a day hatch — in fiberglass. The 150 is a lower-volume version of the much-loved 155. P&H was also showcasing its newly acquired line of Flat Earth Kayak Sails. Kokatat was displaying the new Icon Rear Entry Dry Suit, which has a pliable horizontal zipper behind the shoulders instead of a heavy metal zipper diagonally across the chest. This year’s colors are subtle: violet and grey for women, and navy and grey for men, in contrast to the flamboyant yellow-and-orange Jackson Icon Dry Suit. Sperry Top-Sider took the lead in the water shoe quest, at least for Alec. The Ricochet Bungee features good drainage without pebble access and a grippy-looking sole, and it’s attractive. This shoe and others in the water sports line mark a move away from Sperry’s longstanding association with sailing and yachting, and we’re anxious to give them a try....

Canoecopia is the official start of the midwestern paddling season. For those who don’t know about Canoecopia, it’s a paddlesport exposition–part trade show, part conference-style presentations, part paddling friends reunion–that takes over the Alliant Center in Madison, Wisconsin for three days.    This year, Canoecopia started early with the arrival of Justine Curgenven, expedition sea kayaker and the adventure filmmaker behind the “This is the Sea” series and now “This is Canoeing.” (We will review the Canoeing DVD soon.) Justine and Hannah Facebook each other from across the table and across the Atlantic.     The next day, we drove up to Canoecopia, arriving in time to watch the vendors finish setting up their booths. There were boats, paddles, clothing, tents, magazines, outdoor programs, jewelry….pretty much everything that relates to paddlesports and camping and then some.  The parking lot was filled with cars and boats of all types.  Eric Jackson demonstrates the hull strength of his boats.    Justine was happy to see so many DVDs for sale. Funny, all these stacks seem to be “This is Canoeing!”    Over time, more and more people arrived. It was enough to cause an otherwise calm mannequin to run away screaming.  Hey! Get back here with that PFD!    There seemed to be slightly fewer vendors this year, but interest was high and sales were good. The presentation schedule was packed with a mix of practical and inspiring sessions, and many that managed to be both at once.     A few scenes from the...