Canoeing Algonquin Park Seven ways to prevent first-time paddling grief BY CHANTAL MACARTNEY ILLUSTRATIONS BY WILLIAM JESSUP IF MR. BEAN went on an Algonquin Park canoe trip, what would it be like? Would he think out the entire trip to steer clear of unnecessary hassles, or would he stumble blindly from one avoidable disaster to another? We all know the answer. It would be funny – very funny – to watch, but not to experience. Yet if you’ve spent much time canoe tripping, you’ll have seen people who could be Mr. Bean stand-ins: novice paddlers with dangerously overloaded canoes at the trailhead; young couples (or a group of teens) happily zigzagging down the middle of the lake into the teeth of an approaching storm; nice people with lots of enthusiasm but little or no experience. Last summer, an Algonquin Park forest ranger recalled two first-time canoe trippers packing a full gas BBQ (including stand) into their heavily overloaded canoe at Smoke Lake. Luckily they sank near the dock and nobody got hurt. This might sound extreme, but according to the ranger it’s a common occurrence. If you’ve always wanted to paddle off into wilderness bliss but don’t know anything about how to prepare, here are seven basics. Do it right and you’re more likely to have a great trip – one worth repeating again and again.
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1. LEARN HOW TO PADDLE CORRECTLY
Lot’s of people think they can merely change paddling sides (left side, then right side) repeatedly to keep the canoe heading in a straight line. When you see this on a lake you know one of two things: The paddlers are either Olympic level racers, or they’re complete novices – perhaps even relatives of Mr. Bean. Switching sides every two or three strokes may work in a total calm, but not when a breeze starts to ripple the water. At the best of times this practice will give a false sense of security and control. When paddling on a river with a strong current, it could be dangerous. Here’s a solution. Take at least a twohour canoe lesson from a paid expert, and take it jointly with the person you’ll be paddling with. Not only will a twohour lesson ensure some measure of real competence in the canoe, but both paddlers will learn how to work in harmony – a real benefit when you’re dipping your paddle simultaneously several thousand times a day. The bow paddler should learn the following strokes: forward power stroke, draw, and pry. The stern paddler should learn the J-stroke, pry, sweep, and draw. Both of you should learn how to execute
these minimum strokes. Since the person in the stern is the one steering, this person in particular must be familiar with the different ways each stroke moves the boat. For details of these strokes, see Bill Mason’s classic Path of the Paddle: an Illustrated Guide to the Art of Canoeing. It’s available in most libraries. Mr. Bean might be happy enough to flip through the pages, glancing momentarily at the paddle stroke illustrations. You should carefully study the photos and description before heading out for your two-hour lesson.
2. KNOW YOUR ROUTE
Your first canoe trip should be no longer than a weekend on flat water. Avoid river rapids. Choose a park relatively close to your home, and spend time poring over your route. Don’t be too ambitious. Plan a leisurely trip. Speak to others about the route you want to take. Ask questions like: How long are the portages? Are they relatively flat and wide, or will we have to scramble through thick undergrowth? Are they well marked and easily seen from the water? Are there prepared campsites with fire pits and some form of outhouse?
OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006
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