Sea kayaking the Inside Passage is Susan Conrad’s jam, having completed two approximately 1,200-mile solo through-paddles from Washington State to SE Alaska. She has authored three books about the Inside Passage and loves sharing her personal stories on stages big and small not only to inspire people but to demonstrate the power of self-belief and tenacity in order to accomplish anything you want to in life. She’s happiest with a paddle, a camera, a notepad, or a book in her hands. She’ll be sharing her story and images of her recent solo paddle from San Juan Island to Sitka, Alaska as well as giving a workshop on planning and preparing for a multi-day kayak adventure.
Put any human in a tiny vessel and send them up a perilous 1,200-mile stretch of the Inside Passage of British Columbia and SE Alaska—and they are bound to have stories! Susan Conrad’s stories are not just filled with intrigue and adventure, but they have heart, inspiration, and gratitude. Susan will share stories and images of her 2022 solo, 78-day sea kayak expedition up the Inside Passage from Washington State to Sitka, Alaska, comparing and contrasting it with her 2010 expedition.
Relive the trip with Susan as she shares experiences of paddling marathon distances for days on end, struggling to keep an open mind and interacting with the sea on its terms, forging friendships with amazing people in remote locations, pretending not to be intimidated by 700-pound grizzly bears and 40-ton whales, and living her dream. Highlights will include her efforts to raise awareness of British Columbia’s proposed Marine Protected Areas in the Great Bear Rainforest, and retracing the paddle strokes of the late, great Audrey Sutherland, the grand dame of expedition paddling.
In the closets of many people’s minds, a grand adventure gathers dust. Here’s one that is actually possible—a small boat journey along British Columbia’s & Alaska’s Inside Passage. Learn about the practical aspects of planning and preparing for a multi-day kayaking adventure. Although specific to sea kayaking the Inside Passage, the principles of adventure planning will apply to any destination, conveyance, or time frame. Topics may include but are not limited to food, fitness, gear, route finding, logistics, resupply issues, camping, weather, and safety.
