Canoeing Basic Instructions

Before you get started always keep these initial thought in your head.

• Fasten gear into the boat, and always plan for the possibility of capsizing and getting wet.
• Enter and exit a boat when it is parallel to the shore.
• Kneel on the bottom or sit on the seats, and never get your legs under the thwarts (crossbars)

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When you are in the canoe

• Hold one hand over the top grip and one hand around the paddle shaft near the blade.
• Know that the steering is done from the stern (back) and the bow (front) paddler provides power.
• Know that normal stern strokes on the right will turn the boat left, and vice-versa.
• Look far ahead, and move the canoe to the proper river position long before passing an obstacle.
• Keep the canoe parallel to the flow of the water, to avoid being broadside to river obstacles.
• If pushed broadside into an obstacle, lean downstream to avoid capsizing.
• Keep maneuvering room between your boat and others.
• If in doubt about paddling safely past an obstacle, go to shore and portage around it.
• Know where your trip ends, and some landmarks along the way.

Some hazards to avoid

Always be looking downstream for any obstacles, and for the best route on the river. You will see submerged and partially submerged obstacles such as rocks and tree snags. These can be recognized at a distance by the waves they create on the river. Obstacles create a “V” that points upstream. Always avoid the upstream point of a “V”. Avoid getting caught in any trees that might extend into the river. These tree snags are frequently changing, so we would appreciate it if you would inform us of any hazards you see when you return.