AY Honors/Canoeing/Answer Key

2. Demonstrate, first alone and then with a companion, the proper method of:

a. Entering and launching a canoe

(1) From a beach

This is much easier to do if the paddler gives up the idea of having dry feet. Wear a pair of sandals and wade right in. But it can also be managed without getting the feet wet. Slide the canoe's bow into the water and let the current (if there is one) push that end downstream. Hang onto the other end of the canoe (the stern) so that it does not get away. If two people are to enter the canoe, have the sternsman stand with one foot on either side of the stern, steadying it with the knees. Then have the bowman enter the canoe from the right, by reaching over the canoe, grasping the left gunwhale with the left hand, then setting the left foot in the center of the canoe (over the keel). Then the bowman grasps the right gunwhale with the right hand and slowly shift bodyweight to the left foot, lifting the right foot over the gunwhale. The bowman then carefully walks to the bow while holding onto the gunwhales, finally taking position either on the bow seat, or kneeling in front of it. The bowman can then place the tip of the paddle blade into the ground (under water) to steady the canoe and keep it from floating off while the sternsman enters.

The procedure for entering the canoe alone is much the same, except that the canoe will not be steadied by a companion. Concentrate on balance, and always keep your weight as centered over the keel as possible.

(2) From a landing dock or pier.

It is far more difficult to enter a canoe from a dock or pier than from a beach. This is because the canoe will not sit on the bottom of the river or lake helping to steady it as people enter. Instead, paddlers must be very careful to keep their weight centered over the keel until firmly in position. Once the first person is in the boat, that person should assume a kneeling position with the knees spread as far apart as the canoe will allow. This will allow the person to easily and quickly shift his or her weight to either the left or the right to steady the canoe as the other paddler enters. The paddler should also grip the dock or pier firmly to keep the canoe from pushing away while the partner has one foot in the boat and the other on the dock.

b. Landing and leaving a canoe

(1) On a beach

When landing on a beach, the bow usually drives into the bank first. The mistake most novices make at this point is to begin exiting the canoe while the stern is still upstream from the bow. Allow the current to push the stern past the bow so that the bow is facing upstream. This is what a river will want to do to the canoe anyhow, so it is better if you do it while you are still firmly seated. The bowman is usually the first to exit, by stepping over the gunwhale onto shore (or into the water if that's not an issue). Once the bowman's weight is out of the canoe, the bow will rise and the canoe will likely not be in contact with the river bottom anymore. The wise sternman will take a few strokes to get the bow back onto the bank, and the helpful bownman will assist by pulling the canoe gently as well. Do NOT haul the canoe out of the water with the sternman still inside. This puts excessive strain on the keel and can easily damage the canoe.

(2) On a landing dock or pier.

As with entering a canoe, exiting into a pier is far more difficult that exiting onto a beach. Position the canoe alongside the pier and hold firmly onto it. Place both hands on the pier and gently shift your weight to them, trying to not push the boat away as you do so. Lift your weight onto the pier, turn around, and sit. Then swing the legs out of the boat.