Canoeing

BY: KIRAH MONKS AND MCKENZIE MOORE

History of the Canoe

Canoe is a general term for a boat with painted ends and is

open in the middle.

Canoa is the historical native name for boats used in the

West Indies.

The first canoes were carved out of dead tree trunks,

dugout canoes.

War canoes were used in paddling races in the South Pacific

and along the coast of West Africa they were used for fishing.

A giant dugout canoe which is 63 feet long, 8 feet and 3

inches wide and 5 feet deep is now in the American Museum
of Natural History in New York City.

Later on, Native American Indians built light, cedar framed

canoes

In the 19th century the Penobscot tribe from Maine made the first canvas canoe

In the 1800s canoeing became very common in the eastern part of North America.

After World War 1 it became popular in Europe.

Competitive canoeing became popular in 1948 which is also when canoeing first
appeared in the Olympics.

Why do people Canoe?

Fun

Adventure and scenery

Physical activity

Relaxation

Travel

To fish

To hunt

To get a tan

What are Canoes made of?

Wood-canvas canoes: first used, quiet, easy to mend although

fragile. To last, they need to be elevated and covered with a tarp.

Wood strip canoes: made up of wood strips which are bent and
glued, look very nice, used in flat water and are usually the most
expensive.

Fiber glass canoes: low cost but heavy option. The higher cost
canvas and Kevlar canoes have a specific design. Kevlar is a lot
stronger than fiber glass but lighter. Fiberglass is known as the
easiest canoe to repair.

Aluminum canoes are known as the first no maintenance

canoes.

Inuit Eskimos used whale bones to make their canoes.

Types of Canoes

Expedition or tripping canoes: long trips, stable, good carrying

capacity. These canoes are used for both whitewater use and
carrying large loads.

General Recreation: stable, durable, and versatile. They are

perfect for a family of canoers and beginner canoers.

Racing (solo): fast but less maneuverability and stability.

Touring (tandem): longer, narrower, more technical and are faster

than general recreational canoes.

Freestyle (solo): best choice for canoeists in small ponds and

lakes.

Sporting canoes: for outdoor activities like fishing or duck hunting.

These canoes are stable and have a square stern for mounting a
motor.

Anatomy of a canoe
F

A Bow: the front part of the canoe

B Beam: the widest part of the canoe

C Gunwales: rails along top edge of the hull

D Hull: body of the canoe

E Keel: strip running the length of the bottom part of the canoe

F Stern: rear of the canoe

G Thwart: cross brace between gunwales that keeps the canoe rigid

Paddles

The designs of paddles have changed. Paddles differ depending on the

experience and depending on the cost.

Straight shaft paddles: great for turning, paddling backwards and touring.

Bent shafts are used for racing and powerful strokes.

Materials: traditional wood, laminated wood, fiberglass or Kevlar.

Plastic paddles: inexpensive, durable, but heavy. These range from $12-$20.

Aluminum and plastic: inexpensive, light but can flex easily with age. These range
from $16 to $25.

Wooden paddles: light and attractive, but can require maintenance and are
anywhere from $20 to $150

Kevlar: most expensive, light, responsive and they range from $150 to $250.

Paddle shaft Measurement

Paddler in the bow: measure is from your chin to your feet.

Paddler in the stern: measure it from your feet to your eyes.

Paddles that are too long make it awkward.

Paddles that are too short makes you use too much energy.

Paddle that is wider is mostly used while whitewater rafting

Oval blade: commonly used type, and it is pretty short length wise.
It is used for quick and powerful strokes.

Square or rectangular blade: made of laminated wood and

fiberglass. They are pretty loud when paddling with them.

Beavertail shaped paddle: perfect for quiet graceful paddling and

usually a bit more expensive.

Paddle Grips

Pear grips, Soft-t grip, northwood and palm grips

The best way to pick your grip is by comfort.

T-grip paddles are great for faster water and more control.

Small grip and shaft paddles are best for smaller women and
children.

Shaft

Tip

This is a Beavertail blade shape.

Pear shaped grip

Label the following:

Grip: top part of the paddle that you hold

onto.

Shaft: long stick part of the paddle.

Tip: end of the blade.

Blade: wide part of the paddle that

creates the force

Throat: curved part close to the shaft

Blade

Throat

Grip

Progression of skills

Beginner learns the basics of canoeing such as parts of the canoe,

how to hold a paddle, getting into the canoe.

Intermediate learns the forward stroke, the canoe j-stroke, and the
canoe draw stroke.

Forward stroke: Direct straight pull back

J stroke: making a j stroke which is used for turning

Draw stroke: A stroke that involves pulling the face of the blade
towards the canoe.

Advanced can paddle effortlessly using many different paddling

skills

Planning and Preparation

The Key Three WWW

Weather:

Dress based off of the weather. The outer layer should be based off of the cold, wind
or rain. Nylon materials are great for protection against wind and rain. Before
canoeing it is important to check the conditions. Even if it is sunny, make sure to have
a hat and protection from the sun.

Warming:

Stay warm, wear many layers. On land it may feel a lot warmer than it will feel on the
water. Even if it is sunny, make sure to have a hat and protection from the sun.

Wicking:

Keeping the wicking layer warm is crucial. This is the layer up against the skin.

What happens if you go out on the canoe and the weather changes for the worst?

Keep an eye out for puffy looking clouds which are thunderstorm clouds.

If lightning pops up, get to shore.

Always check both weather and river conditions

Safety Boating Checklist

-Canoe

-Paddles

-PFDs

-Waterproof map
case

-Plastic bags

-Compass

-Map

-whistle/ horn

-Rescue throw bag

-Map highlighter

-Elastic bungee
cords

-Day pack

-sponge and
bailer

-50 foot line

-water containers

-Pocket knife

-first aid kit

-saw/ axe

-Seat pads

-sunblock

-Cookware

-Matches

-Sunglasses
-Waterproof
sunscreen
-Binoculars

-bow and stern

lines

Opportunities
Chain Lakes Canoe & Kayak Tour
Coeur d'Alene River, Idaho
An Iconic Idaho experience, witness breathtaking
views while paddling though the channels that
connect some of the beautiful lakes in the Idaho
panhandle. This trip is suited for everyone who is
interested in exploring these Idaho gems.
Cost: $80 includes transportation and watercraft
Trip: April 24 & 24
Pre-Trip Meeting: April 19 at 5 p.m., SRC Classroom

Steps

KNOW WATER AND PLAN ALTERNATIVE ROUTES

CREATE A SCHEDULE OF ESTIMATED TIME AND DISTANCE

PLANNED

NOTIFY A FRIEND OF YOUR PLAN IN CASE YOU DO NOT

ARRIVE BACK IN TIME

Transportation of Canoe
Trailers
Foam Blocks (Canoe is secured at bow, stern,
and middle using straps attached to vehicle)
Roof Mounted Racks

Gear To Bring: Clothing Checklist

Dry suit or top
Paddling gloves or pogies
Neoprene footwear
Sandals
Sun-shielding hat
Wool/synthetic cap or balaclava
Moisture-wicking T-shirt
Swimsuit

Shorts or convertible pants

Sun-shielding shirt (long sleeves) and pants
Spray jacket or rainwear (jacket and
pants)

How To Fit A Lifejacket

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8ki5v2HYJU

Safety Tips Continued

Fuel your body (eat before canoeing and this helps in energy
and body heat)
Avoid wearing cotton clothing
Prepare and watch for changes in weather
Avoid fog
Know the signs of hypothermia if group member falls into cold
water
Bring the right equipment

Canoe Care

303 Aerospace is a commonly used UV protectant put on the

canoe 2-3 times per season

Store it out of the sun, rain and snow

Store upside down

Make sure to check the canoe for any issues before taking the
canoe out

Canoe Repair

Wash the interior and exterior with soap and water

Use a Vinyl protectant which brings out a shine and the color

For wood canoes a quick sand and a coat of polyurethane is

needed

Dents can be worked out with the sun or even a hair dryer

Gouges that do not go through the boat are fixed by a 2 part epoxy
putty

Punctures are fixed with a 2 part polyurethane resin, nylon cloth,

sand paper, and brush. Finish by placing an acrylic coating on top

For fiberglass canoes a gel coat can be used

How do you get in a Canoe?

Find a flat place in the water

If someone is with you have them hold both sides to stabilize the
canoe

Stay low and keep your knees bent

Hold the sides for balance and step in

Stay in the center line of the canoe

Do not make sudden movements or lean all to one side

How to recover from capsizing?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUW1bBWIbkE

Scenarios: What would you do?

Wildlife appears!!!

Bee Sting

References

American National Red Cross. Canoeing. New York, 1977. Print.

Basic Canoeing. Washington: American National Red Cross, 1965. Print.

"EEK! - Canoe Safety." EEK! - Canoe Safety. Web. 03 Mar. 2016.

Gullion, Laurie. Canoeing. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 1994. Print

Kuhne, Cecil C. Canoeing. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole, 1998. Print.

"Repair | Old Town." Repair | Old Town. Web. 03 Mar. 2016.

Swenson, Allan A. L.L. Bean Canoeing Handbook. New York: Lyons, 2000. Print.