Education Corner
September 2017
"The Basics on How to Read Whitewater"
"The power of water can be intimidating, especially fast moving whitewater. Humans tend to fear what we don’t understand and when we first come to a swiftly flowing river it appears chaotic and scary because we don’t yet understand the flow of the currents. Once we begin to learn and recognize that currents are made up of certain staple features such as eddies, eddy lines, downstream Vs, rocks, waves and hydraulics pathways begin to open up amid the chaos. Even the scariest rapids are made up of these staple features. Recognizing the best path through a rapid boosts your confidence and helps you discern if your skills are up to running the line..."
"How to Choose a Recreational Paddling Style"
"In this video, the Aquabatics Calgary crew help new recreational paddlers determine their preferred paddling style, High Angle or Low Angle. Each style has its own application, pros and cons. This tutorial will help you determine which style works for you and, in turn, which type of paddle would be best..."
"How To Do The Cross-Forward Stroke"
"The cross-forward stroke is one of the most helpful stroke used by solo canoeists, even though it's looks down upon by some traditionalists who don't like the look of a paddle swinging over the canoe. It is a powerful tool that can counter the forward stroke's tendency to veer the canoe toward the offside during quick starts. The cross forward can also be used to paddle around a curve to your offside..."
"Getting Over Beaver Dams"
"Over many millennia, the tireless efforts of thousands of generations of the American beaver made Canoe Country into a paradise for paddlers. The beaver's reward? Near extermination. But now the beaver are back. And they're living up to their reputation. "Busy as a beaver" says it all, and wherever beaver have been busy, you'll find their dams. Impatient canoeists and kayakers see only an obstacle. More reflective paddlers see a constructive force of nature at work. Whichever sort of paddler you are, however, you'll still have to get over the dam. This week, Tamia tells you how..."
"Sculling Brace Kayak Technique"
"This article offers tips and techniques for performing a high sculling brace from a kayak. Two points of stability allow you to balance more effectively than one. Sculling braces help you stay upright in tippy situations by acting as a second point of stability to your kayak. Practice the sculling brace by breaking it down into these three elements: body, boat and paddle. The scull should be about as long as
your cockpit with the blade just under the surface..."
"Going Straight"
"Many people who have paddled for years can't keep a canoe on a straight course without constant wavering. What are they doing wrong? Heading the list is their correctional stroke which, more often than not, is the "thumbs-up-J" or what Bill Mason, in his wonderful book, "Path of the Paddle", called the "goon stroke"..."
"Quick-Release Knots for Canoeing"
"This short video demonstrates how to tie two different quick-release knots that can be useful in canoeing - for towing or tying up on shore..."
"Sea Kayak Survival Skills"
"What if...? Ever wonder what you'd do if you get lost in the fog without a compass? Or if you become stranded on an ocean isle with no freshwater? What if you become separated from your boat? Get a leg up with these lifesaving survival skills..."
"Tarp Shelter Tactics"
"A FEW TIPS FOR SHELTER FROM THE STORM. Granting protection from the rain or shade from the sun, no other piece of equipment is as useful and versatile yet easy to pack along as a tarp. The most secure and comfortable set-ups have..."
"Canoe Modification Techniques"
"There are 14 customizations every whitewater canoeist dreams of, including performance seats, a custom trim job and a lift kit. There’s no reason to let auto buffs, washed up MTV hip hop artists and the Teutul dynasty have all the custom mods fun. Even un-tattooed, decidedly un-Teutuliar open boaters can reap the benefits of home tuning. And it doesn’t have to cost a rapper’s squandered fortune..."
"How to Canoe in Waves and Swell"
"Most canoeists know that a cold swim is often preceded by a wave taken at a bad angle. Depending on your skill level, paddling in large waves can be either frightening or fun. Follow these simple tips for paddling in waves to keep your experience positive..."
"How To Extend Your Paddling Range"
"A director at Hudson Valley Outfitters has mastered one of the keys to expedition paddling: the long-distance day. Ray Fusco once paddled 61 nautical miles (113 kilometres) in one go, cruising between the New York towns of Hudson and Cold Spring in 14 hours. To help extend the range of all our expeditions, we asked Ray for his top mileage-boosting secrets...."
"How to Choose the Right Kayak"
"What kayak should I buy? It’s the first question a kayaker asks—and the hardest to answer. The trick is finding the boat that’s perfectly suited to your specific needs. With dozens of companies producing hundreds of different models, there’s a kayak for every style of paddling and every type of paddler. If you can’t decide, buy two. There is no better way to grow kayaking than taking a friend..."
"6 Most Important Skills For Beginner Canoeists"
"Learning how to canoe is an exciting journey that can open up vast areas of wilderness for a lifetime of adventures. The details in learning this vast skill can be overwhelming and challenging. What is a bow-rudder? Why are soloists kneeling backwards in a tandem canoe? Make your learning process simple by beginning with these five basic skills before you move onto more advanced areas and techniques. Happy paddling!"
"How To Sail In A Canoe"
"Every year I see a proliferation of makeshift boats, sails aloft, heading down big lakes and rivers. Canoe sailing is a great adventure and a wonderful way to make headway and combine a rest day in one shot. But it can be a dangerous undertaking if not done right—never underestimate the vagaries of wind, weather, distance or tide. There are as many ways to rig canoes for sailing..."
"A Paddlers' Code of Conduct"
"There's safety in numbers. Or so the experts say. And I agree. Up to a point. But like most wise saws, this one has a few missing teeth. Safety in the backcountry isn't simply a matter of arithmetic. It's a matter of balance, and striking the right balance begins with choosing the right paddling partners. I described my approach to this vital preliminary last week. Now I'm going to take the next step: outlining what I call the "paddlers' code of conduct." It's a summary statement of the rights and responsibilities of paddlers who choose, quite sensibly, to travel in company with other like‑minded souls..."