More Photos Below!Gallery
The QWS was bigger than ever this year with a record 1500 visitors for the one-day show in the big polebarn south of the MSU campus. (This volunteer-run event shares the space with a rabbit show.)
As usual, the anchor attractions—Cliff Jacobson, camping guru, and the McGuffins, ambassadors of Ontario paddling and photography—pulled the big crowds. Some booth people said after the hourly shows let out that the “tide was coming in again”—and a wall of people really would flood the show-space.
I also had my best show ever, selling a dozen pieces of bike luggage when last year I sold none. Plus, folks looked through and also bought a fair amount of top-flight outdoor culture media—much more than usual. Maybe my booth is slowly getting some focus. It still could use much more, I’m sure! Too much stuff, scribbled signs—whew!
Maybe some folks were wondering if the tough times would be good or bad for low-key outdoor action…looks like it’s good so far…
It’s always great fun to meet so many outdoors people, quite a few who already know about the OYB push for indie outdoor culture.
I took some pics after the day was almost over, so there are no crowds shown. The show is very diverse. I always like seeing Jim ?’s historic river routes booth. This year there was a booth of very rare collectible watersport books and media, representing the estate of a canoe shop owner. My fave booth this year was the father and son Greenland kayak makers. Now that I’ve learned how to roll, the idea of these snug-fitting, low-volume, lightweight, flexible skin boats is enthralling. Plus I’d like to try a Greenland paddle sometime, too—I got some pics of this booth.
It’s not Canoecopia…it’s a smallworld scene…with all the clubs displaying…with backyard builders showing their latest project or sharing a nifty technique…and the nature orgs showing major current projects, like river trails just finished or clean-up project progress charts…and Boy Scouts. No big makers, this is a show for the little guys.
OK, without ado…the pics…
Sailing canoe.
Ron Sell’s super new-style sailing canoe…and a carbon Bell solo boat.
Be still my heart…a sailing Whitehall dory. Row, sail…sounds good to me.
A classic elite sea kayak, the Nordkapp, one of the first production Greenland types (OK, the first?)…done up in carbon and metal flake…ooohhhh…show boat…
The Kruger people were some of the first backers of the QWS…a classic boat…
Homemade inflatable kayak. Long and narrow…looks fast…unlike every other inflatable. Made from free online plans. I vaguely recall it’s $300 in parts. 30 lb finished boat.
Greenland kayaks. Delicate rolling boat on the right.
Nice skin Greenland and paddles.
