Here’s Kevin’s first in a series of videos on his family canoe trip around Killarney Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada. The trip started at the town docks of Killarney and looped the borders of the park in a clockwise direction: Killarney Bay-Fraser Bay → Baie Fine → McGregor Bay → Nellie Lake → Van Winkle Lake → Great Mountain Lake → David Lake → Silver Peak → Carlyle Lake → George Lake.
For more information on this area, check out the Friends of Killarney website and Killarney Outfitters.
Scott Macgregor gets a peek at the SUP lineup from Naish at the 2014 Outdoor Retailer Show. Watch it now!
It was a revelation when I first learned how to paddle a canoe backwards. Everything was so dramatically different. I was on the edge of control, where nothing feels natural and everything is new. But backwards paddling is not some idle trick; it brings real benefits to your paddling proficiency.
It was my dad who first got me going in reverse. He had returned excited from a symposium where he’d been canoeing with a freestyle paddler. “He said it almost like a mantra,” Dad told me and then he recited: “Anything you do forward you should be able to do backward.” It didn’t sound like a big deal, but then I tried it.
Paddling backwards is a great way to teach solo and tandem canoeists important concepts by taking them outside of their comfort zone. Not only does this translate into more efficiency and grace on the water, these are also skills that we can carry to moving water, whether back-ferrying a loaded tripping canoe or riding a sweet surf wave.
There are two important pointers that will help for practising your strokes in reverse. For solo paddlers, the most common problem at the outset is trim. It is critical to have your weight in the center of the canoe, or a little forward of center, so you are not stern heavy.
Secondly, watch where you’re going! My clients get so focused on their strokes that they forget what the canoe is doing and they run into the shore, each other, me, and once, even a wading nudist.
All of the traditional strokes—including the J-stroke, draws and pries—are fair game for backwards paddling, whether you’re solo or tandem. For a fun beginner stroke that’ll make you think about blade placement, try a reverse running stern draw. Practice it and impress your paddling buddies with a reverse dock landing or reverse eddy turn in moving water.
The instructions below are for solo paddlers, but tandem paddlers can try this if the bow paddler performs continuous reverse sweeps to both initiate and power the turn, while the paddler in the stern follows the instructions described here from step two on.
First, gain momentum going backwards in a straight line with a reverse J-stroke. Now, just like its forward counterpart, initiate a turn with a hard reverse J at the end of the stroke.
With the turn starting, tilt the hull to the inside of the turn and slice your blade out and slightly behind you to set up the stern draw.
Open the blade to catch water by turning your grip hand thumb out. Doing this slowly, and gradually introducing more blade angle, will allow you to use the momentum of the canoe and carve a beautiful turn.
Hang on to the stern draw for as long as you can, allowing the canoe to pivot around your paddle.
For style points, finish off the draw with a palm roll and reverse J-stroke and now you’re set up to do the maneuver again, or maybe a reverse running pry sideslip, or a reverse low brace turn, or a reverse one-handed pry, or how about a reverse…
Becky Mason is owner and operator of Classic Solo Canoeing. She is a Paddle Canada Instructor Trainer and has been teaching people to go backwards, forwards and sideways for 27 years. Visit redcanoes.ca.
One stroke forward, two strokes back. | Feature photo: Reid McLachlan
Check out the recap of the First Annual Crossing Panama–Taboga 2014 by Paddle for The Cure Panama!
“In the waters of the Panama Canal the first annual Crossing Panama – Taboga took place. We had the participation of stand up paddleboards, ourtigger canoes, kayaks, prone paddleboards and cayucos. A total of 170 athletes from Panama, Venezuela and Sweden paddled through the channel of the Panama Canal to arrive at the beautiful island of Taboga.
Paddlers started arriving at 6:00 a.m. to Veracruz, to get their gear ready for an early start. The day was perfect. The sun was starting to come up while the water temperature was around 79 degrees. At 7:15 a.m. the start horn went off and for next couple of hours it was fun time. The average time of paddling for the shortest distance was around 2:00 hrs.
Paddlers covered distances of 11.5 km, 21km and 24 km going from Panama City to the island of Taboga. At 8:45 a.m. the first Cayucos started coming through the finish line, followed by prone paddleboards, SUPs, outrigger canoes and kayaks. At 11:00 a.m. all paddlers had finished there crossing.
Being an activity of paddling for the cure, everyone was a winner and they all received a FINISHER’s medal. The objective of the paddle was a success! All participants were winners, but above all the members of the Non-Profit Organizations were acknowledged and supported in a new way. Paddlers, for the first time, came forward to a calling of giving themselves to create awareness of the dedication many people have in the organizations they lead, as well as sending a message of happiness, hope and solidarity to those fighting with health issues and conditions. Funds received by our sponsors have been donated equally to four Non-Profit Organizations; them being FundAyuda, Fundacion Soy Capaz, Fundacion Valorate and Fundacion Jesus, Luz de Oportunidades, each one having their own specialty and objective.
We are looking forward to making this an iconic annual event in the beautiful city of Panama in the waters of the Panama Canal.” Check out the Paddle for The Cure Panama Facebook page for more info.
Rivering Trailer 5 from RIVERING on Vimeo.
Bill Parks is an ex Los Angeles TV professional who packed up and moved to New Zealand with his fiancée nine years ago for a change of pace—his main focus now is enjoying the outdoors by getting out on the water.
Now Parks is combining his film background and love of paddling to create Rivering, a documentary about the whitewater obsession.
Always wanted to sleep in a giant slice of watermelon or show your love of the written word by peering out from between the pages of a gigantic paperback? Field Candy’s INNOVATIVE TENT flys feature bold patterns and daring scenes, ensuring you’ll never confuse your tent with another campers’ again (www.fieldcandy.com).
Field Candy writes: “Original Explorer tents are much bigger than most other standard two person tents, providing you with a spacious sleeping area and extra storage for muddy boots in the lobby. Each tent is made to the high quality of an expedition tent built to withstand extreme conditions. The unique designs will help you stand out from the crowd with colour and creativity.”
Discover 49 more of the coolest people, gear and innovations in canoeing this year in the digital edition of Canoeroots and Family Camping, Summer/Fall 2014, on our free iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch App or Android App or read it on your desktop here.
Substantial TV Ep. 10 Teaser “Hello Darkness” from Substantial Media House on Vimeo.
“When the darkness of winter lifts in the glorious Pacific Northwest, the rivers rage with high water and the sun comes out. Metaphorically showing us kayakers “The Light, our hearts explode with stoke of the spring to come. Check out some this short video of some highlights from this past spring in the Northwest. Aerial Footage provided by Shifted Cinema LLC. Special thanks to River Roots
Stay tuned for the full episode dropping soon!
Jah bless the glorious holy waters of the PNW.”
The following is a press release from Paddle Florida:
“Paddle Florida has launched a new season this October 24-29 with their seventh annual trip on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. Celebrate Florida’s version of autumn on its most famous river and two of its beautiful spring-fed tributaries—the Santa Fe and Ichetucknee. Paddlers will begin at Ichetucknee Springs State Park and paddle to the town of Branford over five days. The registration deadline is October 10. Paddlers may choose the full 65-mile adventure or test the waters with the Paddle Florida Lite option for fewer days.
Paddle Florida staff takes care of everything but the actual paddling on their trips, which are scouted in advance to ensure waterway conditions and shoreline camping spots maximize comfort and showcase nature’s best view. Meal plans and gear shuttling eliminate the need to weigh boats down with food and camping equipment. Lead and sweep boats provide an added measure of safety. With this level of support, paddlers of all ages and skill levels can enjoy an extended adventure in natural North Florida.
Each evening, paddlers gather for open-air dining, entertainment from Florida artists or musicians, and educational presentations that explore the region’s water ecology and wildlife. The Suwannee trip will feature speakers from the Ichetucknee Alliance and the Suwannee River Water Management District.
Trip fees cover a paddling, camping, and learning adventure. The Suwannee trip fee is $275 for adults, $250 for seniors (65+) and college students, $225 for youth aged 8-17, and children under 7 are free. The meal plan is an additional $150 per person and provides three hearty meals per day. Paddle Florida Lite is $100 per person per day for four or fewer days. The pre-trip shuttle costs $25 per boat and $25 per person. Fees for all trips include camping, a t-shirt, a boat decal, maps, evening entertainment, water descriptions, full vehicle support for all gear, and meals (if meal plan is purchased). For more details on the daily itinerary and registration, visit: http://www.paddleflorida.org/ .
Paddle Florida has partnered with Suwannee Canoe Outpost to provide Suwannee River paddlers with all their boating needs.
Paddle Florida leads three- to seven-day trips across the state to promote Florida as an international destination for nature-based tourism and generate awareness to help protect Florida’s waterways. Awarded non-profit status in 2011, the group promotes water conservation, wildlife preservation, springs restoration, and waterways protection. True to this mission, Paddle Florida coordinates voluntary cleanups on each waterway they visit. Previous years’ volunteers have collected and removed over 1,600 pounds of trash from Florida’s waterways. Volunteers will again participate in the great Suwannee River Cleanup this October.”
Paddle Florida’s 2014-2015 schedule also features these trips:
Wekiva/St. Johns River Ramble – December 5-8, 2014
This 30-mile paddle down the spring-fed upper Wekiva River to the St. Johns is a manatee and bird lovers’ paradise. Accommodations for this trip include two nights in state park cabins. Registration ends November 21.
Florida Keys Challenge – January 15-22, 2015
Enjoy a true island paradise, paddling beside sea turtles and railroad visionary Henry Flagler’s ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’ in the azure blue waters of the Florida Keys. The trip covers 70 miles beside white sand beaches, from Long Key State Park to Key West. Registration ends January 2.
Wild, Wonderful Withlacoochee– February 15-20, 2015
Beginning at Lake Panasoffkee’s Marsh Bend Outlet Park, paddlers will thread their way through hardwood swamps and clear, spring-fed streams on a 60-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico. The trip includes a side excursion to the aptly named Rainbow River and springs. Registration ends February 2.
Dam to the Bay on the Ochlockonee– March 14-20, 2015
From wild Tupelo honey to fresh Gulf oysters, experience the Panhandle’s Ochlockonee River which winds through state and national forest lands on 76 miles of Florida’s most remote wilderness river trail. Registration ends February 28.
Suwannee River Paddling Festival– April 3-5, 2015
The third annual Suwannee River Paddling Festival will take place at the Suwannee River State Park near Live Oak. The festival will feature supported 12-20 mile trip options on the scenic Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers, a benefit concert featuring some of Paddle Florida’s favorite entertainers to support waterways protection, and an opportunity to hear from regional water and wildlife experts. Registration ends March 20.
For more information on Paddle Florida, or for trip details and registration information, visit paddleflorida.org and follow Paddle Florida’s updates on Facebook.
Most of us make compromises on our food when tripping in the wilderness. It doesn’t mean we don’t eat well, but we often give up the taste and comfort of soft, fresh bread for pita and flatbreads that won’t squish. Stop sacrificing! Here’s a delicious recipe for bannock that promises a fluffy backwoods treat.
Bannock is a Gaelic-rooted word that comes from the Latin panecium, which means baked things. A bannock is a small, flat loaf of bread, risen by a leavening agent. Its roots date back to ancient times, where bannock nourished Roman armies and First Nations tribes. Add some honey and it tastes like manna from heaven—hot, light, and delicious.
Make the mix at home before your trip. To do so, mix the dry ingredients together then cut the shortening in with a pastry cutter or two knives until you have a granular, corn meal-like mixture. Package in Ziploc freezer bags and double bag it if you’re going on a long trip.
Once fireside, warm a small cast iron frying pan on the fire and oil it well. Next, pour water into the bag of mix, squishing it around in the bag. Pour in enough water so the dough spreads easily, but has a heavy and thick consistency. The faster you go from mixing the dough to spreading it in a skillet, the lighter your bannock will be.
Squeeze the mix out of the bag and onto the warmed pan. If the dough sizzles, it means the pan is too hot, cool it off and try again. Spread the dough so it’s no more than an inch thick, then place the pan over hot coals. As the dough cooks, it will start to rise slowly. Flip over your loaf when the underside takes on a golde tone. Wait another five minutes, then flip again.
The key to great bannock is a consistent heat, ideally from glowing red embers of hardwood. You’ll know it’s ready to eat when you can stick a fork in the center and it comes out clean.
A fun variation is cooking bannock on a stick. To do this, roll out a snake-like length of dough and wrap it around a stick, keeping it a half-inch thick. Rotate your bannock above hot coals until it cooks through and is easy to slide off, usually about 10 minutes.
This article was first published in the Summer/Fall 2014 issue of Canoeroots Magazine.