Why am I the only one in a Canoe?

[RBourg]

For most of my life a canoe was always 16' plus tandem that required technique and a partner to manage effectively, especially in the wind. Then came along the rotomolded kayaks including SOT'S that were more affordable, often with a foot controlled rudder and were not wind catchers like an open canoe.
When we started having children there were used tandem kayaks that made it easy for my wife and I to each paddle with a child in the bow. Eventually as the children grew up and I was not getting any younger, my interest in paddling reverted to curiosity about solo canoes with the intent that 2 solos would be easier to manage than a 90lb tandem. After finding my first used solo canoe I was pleased with this new style of craft.
I think the plethora of affordable used rotomolded kayaks and commonly available inflatable paddleboards have made the sport more accessible to the masses at the right price point along with ease of transport.

If I were not a paddle enthusiast, I might just own one small indestructible rotomolded kayak and be fine with it, but I am fortunately or unfortunately slightly obsessed with the details of paddling.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

So I wonder....who is more likely to take an interest in solo canoes? A young single twenty-something, a mid-lifer with teens, or an empty nester? Or is it completely random?

 

[Punkinhead]

So I wonder....who is more likely to take an interest in solo canoes? A young single twenty-something, a mid-lifer with teens, or an empty nester? Or is it completely random?

I can't remember the last time I saw someone under 50 in a solo canoe except for whitewater. I'm sure there are younger people who would take to it if they had a chance to try it.

 

[ABT]

I can't remember the last time I saw someone under 50 in a solo canoe except for whitewater. I'm sure there are younger people who would take to it if they had a chance to try it.

In the past two years I’ve met 6 people under 50 that paddle solo canoes, not even counting myself. If you extrapolate that to the whole country there has to be at least a dozen of us

 

[PaddlingPika]

We canoeists should keep in mind that the potential market for new recruits realistically doesn't include the buyers of $300 'yaks from the chain stores. It's the Pungo kayakers that show an interest in our canoes at the put-in. It's the first time or returning buyers of watercraft that have limited or no choice in what to purchase. Not without spending way more than they're willing to spend on a boat.

I kept hoping that someone would start making the Mohawk solo models in T-formex. The Mohawk Solo13, Solo14, and Odyssey were popular canoes around here and it used to be not too hard for a paddler wanting to get into solo canoeing to find one used for a reasonable price. My first solo canoe was a Mohawk Challenger, then at a freestyle symposium twenty something years ago I bought a Solo13. I later sold the Challenger and Solo13 and bought a Mohawk Odyssey which I still have, though more often I paddle composite canoes now.

Besides the availability of affordable solo canoes, paddlers need exposure to people paddling solo canoes. If a new paddler were at a demo day and tried out a Pungo and a Mohawk Solo13 without any instruction they would probably conclude that the Pungo was a better choice. Several times when I've been paddling with a group of kayakers someone has expressed amazement that I am going in a straight line without switching paddle sides. People just aren't aware of the possibilities with a solo canoe. If people in entry level kayaks see solo canoes out on the water then as tketcham says, they start to see the advantages.

 

[tketcham]

Besides the availability of affordable solo canoes, paddlers need exposure to people paddling solo canoes....

Several times when I've been paddling with a group of kayakers someone has expressed amazement that I am going in a straight line without switching paddle sides. People just aren't aware of the possibilities with a solo canoe.

I've been thinking lately that I should buy a double-blade paddle and use it with our Swift Prospector 13 at a popular local lake, occasionally switching between the single-blade and the double-blade just so people can see that canoes can be paddled either way. It'd be even better if I learn to do a heeled 180 degree axle or wedge with that "kayak" paddle, showing them how much more graceful it is with a single-blade.

 

[yknpdlr]

Several times when I've been paddling with a group of kayakers someone has expressed amazement that I am going in a straight line without switching paddle sides.

I've had the same question from locals as I paddle solo, either recreationally, or while race conditioning training on my small lake association lake with kayak witnesses. I simply say 'it is magic" and offer in our news letter to provide free canoe lessons to anyone who may care to learn. So far, no takers, unfortunately (for them).

There is a small barely exposed rock near our popular swimming beach that simulates a buoy that I like to make a quick 180 degree turn around. Nothing fancy, just a slight heel with some active single blade to effect control to make a tight turn that anyone could perform.

With the necessary exception of paddling my sit on bottom 10.5' Hornbeck that I carry to remote Adirondack ponds, I never use a double blade either in publilc or when tripping in larger solos or tandems. I properly and effectively paddle in a canoe, not a kayak.

 

[tketcham]

I never use a double blade either in publilc or when tripping in larger solos or tandems. I properly and effectively paddle in a canoe, not a kayak.

That'll teach 'em...

 

[Gamma1214]

I've been thinking lately that I should buy a [kayak] paddle... just so people can see that canoes can be paddled either way.

Bite your tongue

 

[sailsman63]

I simply say 'it is magic" and offer in our news letter to provide free canoe lessons to anyone who may care to learn.

I'm wondering if this distances the question from the answer enough to quash curiosity.

You do you, but if I ask someone about a skill, and they say "It's magic" I assume I'm being given a polite brush-off.

 

[yknpdlr]

ask

You do you, but if I ask someone about a skill, and they say "It's magic" I assume I'm being given a polite brush-off.

Oh, not really, these are people in my private lake association, and they knew me well as a board member and committee chair of the "lake management and protection committee". I am the canoe paddler training daily on the lake full of local lot owner kayakers. I have made announcements of free canoe lessons, as well as free drone video inspections of roofs and properties. Who doesn't want to learn the secret of a magic trick? Care to know the secret of the magic that allows single side paddling?

 

[Jmharrick]

I’m 34 and I purchased my first used solo canoe 2 years ago. I purchased a used solo for my wife the following year. It sounds like we are part of the rare “solo canoeists under 50” club.

From my perspective, I think most young people who enjoy the outdoors get hooked on the more heavily advertised activities like backpacking, rock climbing, and mountain biking. I think whitewater paddling may fall in this category, but it usually starts with rafting and progresses to kayaks because it’s easier to find lessons and there are so many more on the water.

I have a very clear memory of rafting down the New River in WV my freshman year of college (2010) and watching the kayakers eddy hop around us. I wanted to be able to do that. Suddenly a grizzled looking fellow, probably late 40’s/early 50’s, no shirt, helmet, old school pfd, came charging down the same rapids in a short solo aluminum canoe (first and last one I ever saw) with foam blocks stuffed in the bow and stern. I thought to myself, “this guy is the true warrior, that single blade makes things a lot more interesting”. I was mesmerized, but assumed it was a very niche type of paddling.

I considered buying a whitewater kayak and the gear after that trip, but I couldn’t find the money to spend on boat, paddle, pfd, roof rack, etc. I also couldn’t find anyone else willing to do the same. Eventually that dream died and life went on. Again, I assumed solo canoeing whitewater was too niche (and probably dangerous) for me to figure out on my own without knowing anyone in the sport so I never even considered it.

I think the age when you could hook new solo canoeists might be late 20’s/early 30’s when most of us have a decent job and some spare cash. The problem is this also coincides with the time we start families. I started out with a tandem canoe for that reason. I wanted to take my kids. My experience has also been that if you don’t have any outside encouragement or family/friends taking you on trips through childhood and early adulthood, most people have limited exposure to canoes.

I made a concerted effort to get into canoeing in my early 30’s because I thought it would be an activity I would enjoy alone and with my family for many years. I encourage all my friends and family to go on day trips and short canoe camping trips with me to expose them to the sport. Everyone I have taken loves it, but none of them have bought a canoe as a result.

I also think a lot of people my age have trouble slowing down enough to really enjoy the sport. Life is so fast paced these days. We have work in our pockets all day, and messages, emails, and phone calls occur at all hours. I put my phone in airplane mode when paddling or camping and mostly just use it as a camera. I know when I first started paddling I would feel antsy and like I needed to be doing “more”. Once I learned to relax it was a life changer. I know a lot of people my age who wouldn’t be able to give up their phone for a multi day trip.

A bunch of good points have been made in this thread. I think the big problems are; lack of exposure, lack of advertising, entry level cost, and inability to slow down our brains enough to properly enjoy the activity.

 

[scoutergriz]

I've been thinking lately that I should buy a double-blade paddle and use it with our Swift Prospector 13 at a popular local lake, occasionally switching between the single-blade and the double-blade just so people can see that canoes can be paddled either way. It'd be even better if I learn to do a heeled 180 degree axle or wedge with that "kayak" paddle, showing them how much more graceful it is with a single-blade.

no,no,no!!! switching to a double is the first step towards the dark side!!! it won't be long until you're trading your open boats for 70lb, rotomolded twin cockpit divorce boats...