Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About Cougar print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1976-1977 | View Entire Issue (June 2, 1977)
Canoeing basics and trails offers By Harry Bielskis Staff Writer guiding the canoe while bowmen are the muscle power and usually paddle six strokes to every one of the sternman's strokes. (For this reason I always like to sit in the back of the canoe. If the bowman doesn't turn around, you hardly ever have to paddle). You say you're thinking about taking up canoeing this summer? Don't think twice! The feeling of exhileration a canoeist ex periences as the canoe slices through the water in response to the paddling strokes will certainly lessen any landlubber desires. As a veteran of over 2,000 water-miles in various canoes, I feel qualified in saying that canoeing is one of the closest ways to get close to nature. How else can one listen to the river's song? How else can one ob serve nature's creatures undisturbed in their native haunts? Having decided you're ready to give canoeing a whirl, the first piece of equip ment you'll be needing, obviously, is a canoe. There are basically four ways to obtain this needed vehicle (five, if your conscience will allow you to steal one). The majority of novice canoers will choose to buy their first canoe. This is a choice depending entirely upon your financial sta tus and the amount of time you wish to devote to this sport. Prices for a suitable aluminum canoe will begin near $100. One alternative to a store-bought canoe (especially if you're a purist) is to build your own. Canoe kits are available at sporting- goods distributors or you may wish to learn about building a canoe from scratch by in quiring at your local library. A third choice in selecting a canoe is one that I would recommend and consists of simply renting a canoe. There are few canoe liveries in Oregon so I suggest you try a rental equipment dealer. Until you have a Another stroke both canoeists should solid background of canoeing experience learn is the jam stroke. This stroke is done there's no sense in rushing out and buying simply by firmly keeping the paddle vertical a new canoe. to the canoe and is used as a braking action If you have neither the desire to buy, when slowing or turning the canoe. There make or rent a canoe, borrow one from a are various other strokes which can be ex friend. If you find that person attractive, ecuted but these three (straight-line, J, and invite him/her along, the ice is bound to jam) are enough to guide a novice. break as you cruise across the water. One other piece of equipment you'll be needing is a paddle. The rule of thumb is to find a paddle which will extend from the ground to your chin. This is usually the best length of wood to choose for your strokes. Having obtained your canoe, it's time for some basics, especially if you're planning an extended trip. Find a lake or slow- flowing river near your home and put your canoe in the water. The edge of the canoe should barely be touching the shore as you board the canoe. The reason for this pre caution is that if the canoe extends too far onto land, an air space is present beneath the canoe. Should you step above this pocket you may find your foot continuing through the canoe's bottom. Make sure the canoe is always secured by the last person board A necessary skill you must learn before ing it. embarking on your first canoe trip is how As you acquaint yourself with the long to upright a capsized canoe. Making sure to piece of metal beneath you, don't worry if wear life jackets, guide your canoe to a shal the canoe appears shaky, it will stop rocking low area of water and try to sink it, you as soon as you obtain proper balance and can't, but the canoe will fill with water. confidence. I'm sure even Lewis and Clark Remember this if you ever capsize in deep felt nervous upon boarding their first canoe. water and can't swim to shore. Two nautical terms you must acquaint To empty the canoe of water have its yourself with at this time are bow and bottom face the surface of the water. Your stern. Stern refers to the part of the canoe partner should be on the other end and the with the seat nearest to the end of the canoe. The bow end of the canoe is the part with the seat furthest from the end. These terms are important because they signify which part of the canoe you will be controlling. Each end uses a different stroke in guiding the canoe. The bowman will usually be paddling in a straight line while the sternman uses a J-stroke. Sternmen concentrate mainly on two of you easily will be able] canoe to your chests and flip] its bottom again. It's as simp I've given you the basic tools to keep a canoe afloat and the rd canoeing knowledge will comew ence. However there are a fewH may lessen any difficulties ya counter. When choosing camping equi extended trips, try to keep you food as light as possible. Bulky car should be abandoned for light« packaged dried foods. All perishable items subject damage should be kept in airtig bags. This not only keeps theii makes it easier to retrieve them! capsize, (I remember capsizing o spending two hours searching thr tom for cameras, knapsacks and When mapping a canoe trip: that one land mile equals about miles. Sometimes you may padc hour only to come around a bent yourself a few hundred feet fri you were earlier. During those occasions and i you confront whitewater, it is ber age on land in the interests ofl saving time. In spite of its heavya| a canoe can be carried without difficulty. Never underestimate rapids, eq you're tired and think you'll sav shooting them. After spending al retrieving sunken gear and dryingd wish you'd taken that brief shortcu Besides rapids, obstacles to be« whirlpools (if you find yourself in fight it - it'll eventually spit deadheads (sunken logs and brant large rocks protruding from theri« It is the responsibility of the to watch for these dangers and them when they are seen When approaching a turn inti always stay to the opposite bank the turn is directed. The reason maneuver is that the water is dee faster on the widest side. You should always wear tennis sandals while canoeing. Many can have been interrupted by feet step glass or sharp rocks. Before you board your canoe fc tended trip, make sure you have q your maps and given your route a] table to a parent, friend and/or Io official. Although canoeing may in as great an element of danger as mi climbing, the risk of being stranded, help is still there. There are several rivers in Oreg able for canoeing. Most of them ris Cascades and drain to the Pacific Columbia River. Oregon has designa eral streams as part of a Scenic II Program. Some of them are: The Rd its tributary, the Illinois; the Di River for 100 miles above the Cota entire Minam River; and a 147-milei of the John Day River. White water ists will appreciate the challenges McKenzie and North Santiam Rivers. Closer to home are the Clackan Molalla Rivers. For more informati« the popular float streams in Oregon] Oregon State Highway Division, H Building, Salem, Oregon 97310.