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Wednesday, August 18, 2004
Lazy Paddling Canoeing is a perfect way to savor summer's end
Copyright © 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. | ||||
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These last warm days of late August and September are the perfect time to jump into a canoe, preferably with someone whose company you enjoy, for a lazy day of paddling down a gentle river or along the shores of a lake or pond. The sun is still warm and you can stop for a swim or a picnic, which makes you feel like you have the world to yourself for a little while. The late Harry Roberts, founder of "Canoe" magazine and I used to bend elbows whenever we crossed paths, which was often. Inevitably we'd get into a friendly argument about the purpose of canoes. In those days, I was willing to argue that canoes were made to be fished from or used to travel far into the wilderness. Harry, on the other hand, thought canoes were made to be paddled and paddled often just for their own sake on any body of water that was handy. The older I get, the more I believe that Harry was right. Canoes are made to have fun in. The beauty of canoes is that you don't need a lot of fancy equipment. In fact, you don't even need a fancy canoe. Two of the most popular boats of all time for recreational canoeing -- the sturdy Grumman aluminum and the cheap, ubiquitous Coleman molded polyethylene -- are among the least responsive canoes to paddle. But more people have had more fun in them than, probably, in all other canoes combined. The point is to get out on the water, not to worry about how fancy your boat is. You also don't need a trailer or a launch ramp - any place you can drive near the water will do nicely for launching a canoe. Likewise you don't need an expensive motor or fossil fuel. All the "gas" you need to power a canoe can be carried in a picnic basket. If you've never set foot in a canoe, what are you waiting for? Here are a couple of tips for your first venture into a canoe: 1) Always wear a personal flotation device when you are in a canoe. Always. It's possible to fall out of even the most stable canoe and have it drift away from you. 2) A sheltered small pond with a beach and no boat traffic, or a lazy flatwater river with a slow current are the best places to learn. You don't want to have to fight wind, waves or wakes 3) When you step into a canoe, whether from a beach, a dock or a handy rock, always place your foot on the centerline of the boat and hold onto both gunnels (sides) as you lift in your other foot. That way you won't tip. 4) Hold your paddle with one hand on the t-grip on top, the other comfortably well down on the shaft toward the blade (the wide part that foes in the water) for maximum leverage when you paddle. Use the muscles of your back as well as your arms. 5) Wear a bathing suit and, before you venture far from shore in your canoe, deliberately tip it over. First of all, it's fun to go for a swim. Second, it will quickly teach you how much leeway you have in that particular canoe. 6) Be safe. Alcohol and canoes don't mix well. If the wind kicks up or you hear thunder, head for the nearest shore. A canoe is like a magic carpet; you glide along almost silently and effortlessly over the water. Fish, birds, and sometimes even larger mammals like beavers, otters, deer, and moose pay no attention to your passage. Best of all, you see everything differently from a canoe, takes you away from your everyday world, and brings you back again refreshed and changed for the better. GREAT OPPORTUNITIES New England is filled with great places to paddle. If you need to rent a canoe or kayak, here are just a handful of day trip opportunities worth checking out. These are all easy paddles, suitable for families and beginning paddlers. Most will have picnicing, swimming and sunbathing opportunities. RIVERS Maine: Kennebec River, Waterville to Sidney, 8.5 Miles. For a longer float, continue on to Augusta. Shuttle Service and rentals: Waterville Canoe and Kayak, 207-872-7470 Maine/New Hampshire: Saco River North Conway, N.H.-Fryburg, Maine, possibly the most popular canoe route in New England. Shuttles and rentals: Canal Bridge Canoe Rental, 207-935-2605; Northern Extremes, 603-356-4718; Saco Canoe Rental Co, 603-447-2737; Saco Valley Canoe, 603-447-2444 ; Saco Bound Canoe And Kayak, 603-447-3002; Saco River Canoe & Kayak, 207- 935-3488; Saco Canoe, 207-935-6000 New Hampshire: Merrimack River, Boscawen to Penacook, 9.5 miles. For a longer float, start in Franklin or continue on to Sewalls Falls in Concord. Shuttle Service and rentals: Hannah's Paddles, 603-753-6695 New Hampshire/Vermont: Connecticut River, Chesterfield, N.H. to Brattleboro, VT. For a longer trek start in Walpole, N.H., There's also faltwater paddling on Retreat Meadows. Shuttle service and rentals: VT Canoe Touring Center, 802-257-5008 Massachusetts: Taunton and Nemasket Rivers. 2-7 hour trips. Shuttle service and rentals: Canoe Passage Outfitters, 508-824-1146. LAKES Vermont: Willoughby Lake, Crystal Lake, Island Pond. Beautiful quiet-water paddling. Rentals: VT Adventure Center in Orleans (also does guided adventures on the Connecticut River ) (802) 525-3154; The Village Sport Shop, Lyndonville, VT 802-626-8448 Massachusetts: Lake Cochituate. Three interconnected lakes to explore. Rentals: Cochicuate Canoe and Kayak, 508-647-1700 Massachusetts: Webster Lake, Buffumville Lake, Walker Pond. Rentals: Northern Paddler Canoe & Kayak, 508-248-1749 Connecticut: Lake Pocotopaug. Rentals (and shuttle service on the nearby Connecticut River, ) The Happiest Paddler, 860-267-1764 OTHER RESOURCES While there are many books on New England paddling, the originals are still the best. The AMC River Guides to Maine, NH/VT, and MA/CT/RI, available in any good book shop or from www.outdoors.org, are the most comprehensive and easiest to use. They also publish "Quiet Water" guides to the lakes and ponds of New England. Tim Jones writes on travel and outdoor sports. E-mail: timjones@easternslopes.com |
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