Adirondack Freestyle Canoe Symposium

About this event

While sitting at the lake's edge, you notice a canoe paddling straight as an arrow. When the boat nears a partially submerged stump, it mysteriously “slides” to the right to avoid the obstacle. When the canoe approaches the shore, fully loaded for a camping trip, it turns gracefully and again “slides” to shore, parallel to the beach, to make unloading an easy chore for the happy paddlers. How did this all happen? Was it magic? Or just good paddling skills?

The Adirondack FreeStyle Canoe Symposium offers excellent instruction in a quiet water venue for people wishing to improve their paddling and boat control skills. Courses are offered for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced paddlers, in both solo and tandem canoe.

Classes are based on Freestyle techniques, i.e., using body, boat and blade physics to add efficiency and ease to your paddling. The AFCS is designed to be an enjoyable weekend in the scenic Adirondacks, where you can receive coaching from experienced United States Canoe Association Instructors, who will assess your skills and allow you to learn at your own pace.

AFS 2024 will return to Paul Smiths, New York. The Symposium will he held concurrently with the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association’s Annual Assembly.

WHEN: Classes will be offered from Friday morning, July 19 through Sunday noon, July 21. Registration will open Thursday evening and continue Friday morning. Participants are invited to come earlier in the week to take part in the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association’s Annual Assembly events.   

WHERE: Paul Smiths College, located in the Adirondack Park, is the heart of prime canoe country. Although it truly feels like wilderness, thirty minutes away you can find fine restaurants, interesting shopping, galleries and more in Saranac Lake. Lake Placid, a premier tourist destination, is a few more miles down the road.

This year our event will be held in conjunction with the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association’s Annual Assembly. They will be handling the registration for food and lodging at Paul Smiths College. We will have the opportunity to participate in some of their offerings, and they in ours.

Class registration will be handled separately.

Classes will be offered from Friday morning, July 19 through Sunday noon, July 21.

Select the desired courses and complete the Online Registration and Medical and Emergency form.  NOTE: Online registration is now closed. For more information, email Molly Gurien, or text or call: 740-707-6655. Note that waivers, for insurance purposes, will be available at the site, and must be signed by all participants.

Please make checks out to Molly Gurien and mail payment to Molly Gurien, 5118 S Shoreline Drive, Floral City, FL 34436.  Please note that there is a $65 AFCS registration and insurance fee that is required for all participants whether you sleep on site or choose to take classes.  Early registration discount until May 30th

Registration closes on June 25th.  For late registration please contact Molly directly. 

Lodging and Meals: 

This year Lodging and meals will be arranged through the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association

We recommend staying on the Paul Smiths Campus, but there are several Airbnbs/hotels/cabins/campgrounds in the area.

Meals are a community gathering time and are served buffet style in the Paul Smiths Dining Hall. You can choose from a full meal plan or choose which meals you prefer.  Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available. Some of the dorms have kitchens so preparing your own meals is an option.