Canoeing: extreme to serene

By Stephen Hlawaty
Outdoors Columnist

The two-day, 50-miler--25 miles on land and 25 miles on water - was a rite of passage for the Boy Scouts of Troop 383. One of my most vivid memories of that experience was watching an aluminum canoe bend in half as the current from the Delaware River in upstate New York beat upon the canoe's sides near Skinners Falls. The current pinned the canoe, with two scouts inside, between two boulders and subsequently began to crush it like a sardine can caught in the toothy clutches of a great white. I gained from that experience a deep-rooted respect for the power of nature and no little distaste for sardines.

While images like these are the extreme, they are, nevertheless, a part of canoeing. But canoeing also includes a more serene side--a side often found in the Red Feather Lakes area or at Horsetooth Reservoir in Fort Collins and Douglas Lake west of Wellington.

Paddlers wishing to canoe in swifter currents may opt for a trip down the Poudre or South Platte Rivers. Multi-day trips via these rivers are also available.

What makes canoeing great is that it can accommodate any level of thrill seeker. It is this kind of versatility that has endeared the canoe to anglers, paddlers, photographers and campers alike, much as it had to the native peoples of North America.

Owing to its strength, smoothness and floatability, birch was the tree of choice for early Native American canoes. Ranging in length between 10 and 24 feet, early canoes were easily maneuverable and could carry heavy loads in very shallow waters. It wasn't long before the canoe's merits were recognized by European traders. In fact, in 1750 French fur traders built the world's first canoe manufacturing factory at Trois-Rivieres, Quebec. These canoes could carry a crew of up to 12 people and a cargo weighing over 5,000 pounds.

Today's canoes come in all shapes and sizes and are constructed from a variety of materials, some of which include aluminum, wood, composites and plastic. Such variety goes a long way in providing for a paddler's specific needs.

General recreation canoes are designed to be multipurpose. These canoes are generally built for two and are quite stable. They usually vary in length between 15 and 18 feet and are intended for flat-water paddling.

Touring canoes can accommodate one to two paddlers and are designed for multi-day trips and swifter running waters. These canoes vary in length between 13 and 17 feet.

More specialized canoes include those designed specifically for whitewater and racing. The kind of canoe you use will depend upon the type of waterway you prefer to explore, the amount of people you intend to have in your canoe, and the length of your canoe trips.

Here are some general design and safety considerations with which you should be familiar:

• Longer canoes are generally faster than shorter canoes but are less maneuverable.
• Wider canoes provide greater stability and tracking but at the expense of turning ability.
• Narrow canoes are quicker and more maneuverable than wider canoes but are less stable.
• A safe canoe floats even when fully swamped with water.

While canoeing:

• Always wear a personal flotation device (PFD). PFDs are not worn by 83 percent of all canoeing fatalities.

• Wear protective footwear such as river sandals, old sneakers or neoprene booties.

• Use sunscreen and reapply regularly.
• Bring food and water and keep hydrated.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
• Keep a whistle handy in case you get into trouble.
• Pack a first aid kit, which should include duct tape.
• Know your limits.

As with anything, it's important that you familiarize yourself with canoeing before plunging into it. Many outfitters in Fort Collins offer classes for a variety of skill and interest levels. These classes are designed to instruct paddlers in basic safety and handling skills, as well as in proper gear selection and danger recognition.

Canoeing is a wilderness purist's delight. Unlike many other boating activities, canoeing provides paddlers an intimate experience with the water and its surrounding environment. A canoe's smooth, clean lines make for graceful transport along any waterway. And with canoeing woven tightly into the fabric of American history, the canoe may well serve as a symbol of our national outdoor identity. So why not make it your own?

For more information on canoeing, visit the American Canoe Association at www.acanet.org http://www.acanet.org or Paddling.net at www.paddling.net.