1. Introduction
My name is Rick & I'm a canoe-aholic... but it's a good addiction. More than> 30 years of paddling. Currently averaging 100 times a year
avid canoeist blog author. Here's the who,what,where,when,how,why, risks,what to bring,& resources on canoeing.
2. what about canoeing?
Historically more canoes in
BWCAW - People come from all over the world
75,000 registered in MN
3. who should go canoeing
you, your family, significant other ( tandem canoes were invented by divorce attorney )
Can be very romantic. tipped over Doreene
Survey the audience
Paddled a canoe?
flipped a canoe? still alive?
How many have a canoe story to tell? I won't ask you to tell it here, but do tell it to your friends and family.
4. when should you go canoeing?
April - November - ice bells
sunrise - sunset - mist funnels
calm day or night
Fall colors never more beautiful than from a canoe on a river
Reflections of the colors on the water
5. why should you go canoeing?
Convenient
No trailer required
No boat ramp required
close to your home
Inexpensive
Rental < $25 / day
Used canoes for < $250
New top end canoes $2500
good for you and environment
health ¨C aerobic exercise outdoors
flow ¨C smooth movement of canoe over the water is soothing
adventure ¨C Even an average canoe trip is an adventure, seeing and hearing wildlife makes it even more fun.
environmental stewardship ¨C realize the tragedy of dumping junk in our waters when you see it next to the beauty of nature
wildlife stories from audience
turtles on Minnehaha Creek
loons on
herons on
eagles on
swallows & mud nests under many bridges
deer on
turkeys on
trumpeter swans in
Sights & Sounds
Clouds - cumulus clouds in bright blue sky
Sunsets - red and gold clouds reflecting in glass water
Sunrises - frosty morning with ice above beaver dam
Storms - lightening on horizon with full moon
Graffiti - under bridges in the cities
call of the loon - foggy night echoes
6. where can you go canoeing?
>11,000 lakes
Ponds & wetlands
> 69,000 miles of rivers
Minnehaha Creek
7. risks - amplified by lack of knowledge
5 most underestimated things about canoeing and how to deal with them
1. Sun ¨C sunscreen, windpants, hat
2. Current - can take control of canoe so learn how to control the canoe and use the current to your advantage
3. Wind & Waves - can swamp canoe. Avoid canoeing on large open water on windy days and stay on low and windy rivers.
4. Time - packing, collecting people, taking longer than you expect. Figure traveling only 2 miles per hour unless you've already been there.
5. Cold ¨C extra clothes in plastic garbage bag
5 most dangerous thing about canoeing and how to deal with them
1. drowning - personal floatation device
2. sweepers - avoid upstream side of anything
3. low dams - portage around
4. rapids ¨C backpaddle
5. Hypothermia ¨C reheat core first
8. how to canoe:
Getting in and out (75% of tip overs)
l Take Turns holding the canoe
l Use paddle as a walking cane
l Brace the paddle
stability
ballast ¨C garbage bag of sand or even rocks
paddle brace
make a game of trying to flip the canoe
paddling
It may take years to become efficient, but anyone can paddle a canoe
Just use forward and backward strokes and practice in calm water
o J and C strokes work, but are confusing to many people in the beginning
stern paddler steers
switch sides
what to bring
PFD
whistle
sunscreen
water & snacks
sunglasses
tie one on
knotted V at front
trucker's cinch knot
quick release knots
straps
belly ropes close to canoe
no dangling ropes
9. Canoeing Resources
Recreation Compass You can explore the map using the interface icons or do a specific place search as well as topographical maps and digital ortho quads and airphotos.
Free canoe route maps Canoe and boating guides include a map and description of public access points, campsites, rest areas, navigational features and river miles.
River levels updated every Thursday during the summer http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/river_levels/index.html
Boating Safety test http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/boatwater/education.html
Search DNR site for ¡°Canoe¡±
Canoe Organizations
American Canoe Association = http://www.acanet.org/
Vendors and Rentals
Ketter Canoeing = www.kettercanoeing.com
Northwest Canoe Company = http://www.northwestcanoe.com/
Hoigaards = http://www.hoigaards.com/
Wenonah = http://www.wenonah.com/
Books and magazines
Sigurd Olson http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/JMC/Olson/profile.htm
Cliff Jacobson http://www.cookecustomsewing.com/cliffjacobson.htm
Paddler Magazine http://www.paddlermagazine.com/
Internet search on canoe
Read Avid Canoeist Chronicles http://radio.weblogs.com/0135789/stories/
10. call to action
take a class
borrow or rent a canoe
build a canoe
Create a memory for your kid
Short trip
calm day
45 minutes
small lake or pond
Pick up a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Volunteer magazine.
Those are my canoe tips from an avid canoeist.
THANK You for your time and attention!
Copyright 2004 Rick Lorenzen
Theme Design by Bryan Bell
