Join the Adirondack Paddling Symposium

By Danny Mongno

With so many amazing places to explore by paddle power, becoming more efficient and gaining more confidence will only help you get the most out of your adventures. This was the simple goal behind the Adirondack Paddling Symposium: Helping beginner and intermediate paddlers build skills to further their paddling enjoyment. Now in its fourth year, the mission continues as pack canoeists, kayakers and canoeists make the trip to the gorgeous waterways of Saranac Lake on Friday-Monday, June 14-17.

Sure, paddling can be pretty easy; that is why so many people love it. But it can be really hard as well. When you figure that out… it’s generally at the worst time. When the wind comes up and you can’t make headway, let alone keep your boat going straight. Or the real concern, what happens when you or your paddling partner capsize? So many people got into the outdoors during the pandemic, and a good percentage of them fell in love with the freedom and adventure paddle sports provide. But with social distancing and curbside pickup, many never considered the proper gear to wear early in the spring or late in the fall. They never thought about the value of instruction. They never found community. 

It’s these folks, who now self-identify as paddlers, that we want to get to know and hopefully help take their skills, safety and confidence to another level. We want to help you stop thinking about paddling with only your arms and upper body and start making this a whole-body activity. Why? Because when you understand how the body and boat work together, you truly get the most from your craft and yourself. 

The symposium kicks off with an evening welcome party at the event headquarters, the historic Harrietstown Town Hall auditorium, on the banks of the Saranac River. Two days of classes follow on many of the amazing local waterways, with specific instruction tracks for canoe, kayak and pack boat for beginner and intermediate skill levels. 

A six-to-one student-to-coach ratio ensures plenty of personal attention for maximum progression. For those who just can’t get enough of the great people and the paddling, Monday the 17th is ‘Tour Monday,’ where participants can put skills learned over the weekend into practice with new friends. 

Throughout the weekend, enjoy evening socials and meals catered by the legendary Bitters & Bones. Continue the learning off-water with evening presentations on topics ranging from subjects like a more in-depth look into the 90-Miler, Wellness for Paddlers, and Essential Gear for a Trip Leader. Plus, guest appearances from sponsors, like Wenonah Canoe, Bending Branches and Aqua Bound paddles, and the Adirondacks’ own Hornbeck Boats, give paddlers a don’t miss out opportunity to talk about gear with the experts. Presenting sponsor NRS even donates their dry suit fleet so paddlers can stay dry and warm – especially for immersion classes. 

The Adirondack Paddling Symposium will be held in Saranac Lake from Friday-Monday, June 14-17. It is hosted by Northern Forest Canoe Trail and presented by NRS. Learn more and sign up: adirondackpaddlingsymposium.com. For any immediate questions, reach out at 518-524-4117 or info@adkpaddlingsymposium.com. Registration is open but will close on June 1. 

Thanks those who’ve made the event possible, including Saratoga Outdoors and Northern Forest Canoe Trail, who took over the event post-pandemic and allowed it to thrive.

Danny Mongno is blessed to say he hasn’t had a proper job outside of paddle sports since he was 16. At NRS, he works in product development and field marketing, allowing him to work at amazing events like this and others around the country. He resides with his wife and their dog in Lake Placid. As a family, they pack a boat, kayak, and SUP and enjoy a variety of winter sports.