2026 Western Pennsylvania Solo Canoe Rendezvous

[Tryin']

Figured I would start a thread for this years event, as it will be my first time at an "organized" canoe/camping gathering. I plan to arrive Friday and stay for the whole event.

wpascr

As long as Ol' Beater keeps running, I will have space to bring two, possibly three canoes for others to try. Possible options include:

1. Nova Craft SuperNova
2. Wenonah Encounter
3. Swift Shearwater
4. Old Town Tripper (soloized)

Let me know if any of these tickle your fancy, and post up what you plan to bring!

 

[Gamma1214]

At this point, I'm figuring on being there and taking all 4 strippers (Freedom Solo [16ft version], John Winters' Raven, Northwest Canoe's version of Bruce Kunz's Merlin [in all its tie-dyed glory lol] and Alan Gage's Bloodvein). I'll probably also drag along a Sawyer Summersong which, if someone takes a fancy to it, doesn't have to leave with me (I'm running out of room for storage).

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

At this point, I'm figuring on being there and taking all 4 strippers (Freedom Solo [16ft version], John Winters' Raven, Northwest Canoe's version of Bruce Kunz's Merlin [in all its tie-dyed glory lol] and Alan Gage's Bloodvein).

You have a trailer?

I may attend.

 

[Gamma1214]

I have options. I may modify an existing trailer (I'll look like something from the Beverly Hillbillies but who cares?), I may borrow a trailer or I might just make 4 trips (or less, depending on how I make out finishing the last two hulls). It's only an hour away (2 hour round trip), so many people (yourself included) would have a farther drive.

I'll be the guy setting up at the outer edge of camp as far from the hustle & bustle as possible.

 

[M Clemens]

Still thinking about going. Haven't been since 2019 when Hemlock, Colden, Savage River, Stewart River, and Northstar represented. Would like to test the Illusion and June Bug. Hear tell there will be over 300 canoes there this year?

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

I was at Savage River today. They will be at WPSCR and will definitely have a June Bug there—a red Textreme one for @Marc Ornstein. In their shop, I lifted a green Textreme LIte June Bug with an S-glass outer layer, but with no seat, and it seemed to weigh about 12 pounds. I could lift it with one finger. Here it is from their website:



The majority of their builds are either Textreme carbon or uni-biaxial carbon rather than standard carbon. They have the molds for the Mad River Monarch and Grand Laker. They were putting the finishing touches on a Textreme Monarch that looks like an awesome tripping canoe.

Ben Diller wasn't sure they'd have an Illusion at WPSCR, but if Marc is there he'll have his, and if I'm there, I'll bring mine.

 

[tketcham]

We'll be there. Bringing a Swift Prospector 13 and a Northstar Firebird if anyone's interested in trying them out. I'd like to give an Illusion a spin again after paddling the Firebird for three years. I rented Marc's Illusion when I attended my first Adirondack Freestyle Canoe Symposium in 2019 and really enjoyed taking courses with that canoe because it's so responsive. The Wind and Waves course was especially fun.