SUNY Potsdam Hosts Talk About Epic Arctic Kayak Journey Featuring Eileen Visser on April 9
SUNY Potsdam Wilderness Education Program Hosts Free Talk, 'The Trip That Shouldn't Be Possible: Paddling the Northwest Passage,' on April 9
Potsdam, NY (03/27/2026) — SUNY Potsdam's Wilderness Education Program will host special guest Eileen Visser for a free public talk on her epic Arctic journey.
Her talk, "The Trip That Shouldn't Be Possible: Paddling the Northwest Passage," will be held on Thursday, April 9 at 6:30 p.m., in the Barrington Student Union Fireside Lounge.
A professor of biology at St. Lawrence University, Visser will discuss how she and her crew defied expectations and overcame adversity on an 1,800-mile frozen paddle through polar bear territory.
Over the course of 103 days in 2023, Visser and her four-person team kayaked 1,800 miles to become the first team in the world to paddle the Canadian Arctic Archipelago in one season. She and her group battled icy waters, high waves, freezing temperatures and encountered wildlife, including whales, seals, walrus, birds and even a polar bear. Visser herself became the first woman to make the journey.
This event is free, and the public is invited to attend.
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges -- and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.
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Dr. Eileen Visser will lead a free talk, “The Trip That Shouldn’t Be Possible: Paddling the Northwest Passage,” at SUNY Potsdam’s Barrington Student Union on Thursday, April 9 at 6:30 p.m., in the Fireside Lounge.
SUNY Potsdam’s Wilderness Education Program will host special guest Eileen Visser for a free public talk on her historic paddling journey across the Northwest Passage on April 9.
SUNY Potsdam
Alexandra Jacobs Wilke, (315) 267-2918, news@potsdam.eduShare this Story
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