SPEAKERS (in alphabetical order)
AL AGNEW:
Internationally respected wildlife artist and avid fisherman, Al calls the Ozarks home but has travelled around the world with sketchbook (and fishing rod) in hand. His clinic on “Using Canoes for Float Fishing” bring together two of his favorite pastimes: canoeing the clear streams of the Ozarks, and fishing across the globe.
AL BELETZ:
Local paddler, canoe pole designer and author of Canoe Poling and Canoeing God’s Gifts present “History of St. Louis Canoeing” – two hours devoted to his experiences of float and poling the Meramec back to the 1930s along with a book signing afterwards.
2008 FEATURED SPEAKER, GREG BOWDISH:
Originally a bass and trout angler from Georgia, Greg Bowdish moved to southwest Florida to be closer to the saltwater fishing that had become his passion. A prolific outdoor writer and photographer whose work has been featured in both regional and national fishing publications, Greg is also a certified fly casting instructor. Five years ago he heard about a way to combine his passion for fishing with another of his passions – kayaking – and is now one of the most recognized names in the sport of kayak fishing and a member of the Ocean Kayak Pro Staff. Greg will be giving two seminars on kayak fishing. The first will cover “Kayak Fishing Basics” and will feature paddling, boat handling, and kayak fishing strategies. The second seminar will cover “Kayak Fishing Design,” and will include information on choosing the proper kayak and rigging it for fishing.
RICH BROWN:
Local paddler and photographer presents “Ozark Canoeing Destinations” based on his over 35 years of Ozark stream floating.
RON COLEMAN:
With over 28 years experience in conservation, environmental projects, parks and recreations, trails and fund development, Ron is the Executive Director of The Open Space Council for the St. Louis Region. He will be presenting a premier showing of a new film on the “Meramec River.”
LARRY HASSELL:
Boeing Export Administrator and local paddler active with the St. Louis County Parks Canoe & Kayak Club, Larry presents his programs on ”Hidden Paddling Paradises within the St. Louis Area“ as well as ”Essential Paddling Gear & Clothing for Extreme Climatic Conditions and Minimal Survival Techniques.“
MICHAEL LaTURNO:
An animal keeper at the St. Louis Zoo for 26 years, Michael LaTurno has been paddling Ozark streams for almost that same amount of time. He bought his first canoe in 1980 and has logged over 1600 river miles throughout the area, many of them in the winter. He will show you how and why in his program on “Winter Floating in the Ozarks” this weekend.
BOB MEYER:
President of the St. Louis County Canoe & Kayak Club, Bob Meyer has been paddling since 1943 and has paddled the entire lengths of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers as well as numerous other waterways throughout the United States. This weekend, he will give two new programs on “Paddling the Hudson River” and “What I’ve Learned in 6000 Miles of Paddling.”
RANDY MOGART & BON JUNG:
Experienced paddlers who have explored bodies of water throughout North America, Randy Mogart and Bob Jung will present their show on “The Apostle Islands” on both Saturday and Sunday.
JOHN NIEBLING:
Missouri Whitewater Association race director John Niebling offers this program on “Experiencing Idaho Whitewater.” This program will feature both video and photography from some of the most wild and scenic rivers left in North America.
JOE SMENTOWSKI
Joe has been paddling around the St. Louis area for over 35 years and knows more off-the-beaten path places surrounding St. Louis than almost anyone. As a retired teacher of all of the natural sciences, he paddles to get away from the crowds and to enjoy mother nature. His talk on “Day Trips within 30 Miles of Highway 40 & 270” will give you a six-page take-home map of 10 locations and 17 different one day-trips in the St. Louis area. Annually, one of our most popular speakers.
RICHARD SPENER & TONI ARMSTRONG:
Adventure travelers and photographers, Richard Spener and Toni Armstrong have traveled to Belize, Mexico, Bahamas, Canada and across the U.S. to sea kayak, canoe and photograph nature. They will present a program on “Paddling and Playing in France.”