WCHA Assembly 2024

This summer we were very fortunate to be able to attend the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association Assembly at Paul Smith's College, Paul Smiths New York. What an incredible experience! If you ever get the chance to attend, you must!

Every year there is a theme, and in 2024 it was Courting Canoes. There were well over 100 canoes on the Green and many of them were specific to the theme. Here's just one beautiful example.

Courting Canoes was the theme for 2024.

You can take in everything from seminars on canoe restoration or history to hands on sessions where you make your own paddle. There were sessions in knife making, fibre arts, lantern restoration, conservation and even kids programs.

Paddle making workshop.

There are learn to paddle classes from basic to advanced. Here Claude and our friend, Mike Elliott from Kettle River Canoes learn poling techniques from fellow WCHA member, Sandy Bate.

Claude and Mike try to stay dry while they learn to pole.

There's so much more to see and do. I'll post more photos over the coming months. But, to be honest, the best part of the whole event is getting to meet other people with the same passion as you. People come from all over the world to this event. Here we are with our new friends, Serge and Jocelyne, who own a restoration and building business in Quebec.

Claude, Serge, Sasha, Colleen, David, Jocelyne and Mike.