• First fundraiser in 3 years begins Nov. 1. Watch for thread. Please contribute.

How to recruit new canoe paddlers?

The Golden Age of Canoeing was right before cars became popular. It was the easiest way for young people to get some privacy.

I am not hopeful about the future of canoeing because so many people do not take the time to learn to paddle one.
 
Before cars, televisions and the interwebs... before instant gratification, 10 second attention spans & the designated hitter... Whole world's gone completely to Hell. (go ahead, I'll wear the "curmudgeon" badge proudly.)

Actually, those pictures might have kept me out of a canoe... too many people on the water for my liking. (then again, I probably wouldn't have enjoyed living in Detroit [or any city] even back then)
 
One Square Mile of Hope, a cancer fundraiser held multiple times on Adirondack's 4trh Lake, Inlet, NY. 99% kayaks - 3150 of them by registration count for a Guinness record. No way would I want to be part of that mess, which I consider incredibly dangerous. Just imagine a capsise, likely causing multiple capsises in the middle of that thing. No way.

1793103784419.png

1793103818844.png
 
This caught my attention...

1793104977229.png

I think we canoeists need to be careful about the dismissal of and even antagonism towards kayaks and double-blade canoeing. That's not going to attract new canoeists if they perceive us to be a bunch of arrogant snobs. I understand that most of it is in jest (and there's some truth to some of the criticism) but it does get old.

OK, I'll get down off my soap box and step out of my canoe now. Flame on! 🫣
 
I think we canoeists need to be careful about the dismissal of and even antagonism towards kayaks and double-blade canoeing.

It may be worth noting that the first recreational canoeists used double paddles in the 1860s (and they had partially covered canoes which were similar to modern kayaks). This portage technique is also not exemplary.

Benson



1793107573317.png1793107580470.png
 
Last edited:
This portage technique is also not exemplary.
That appears to be a pretty steep grade & I've been known to portage in that manner on steep hills or on swampy ground. I'll agree that it's not ideal though... If he'd left his gear in the boat, he'd only have to climb the hill (or struggle through a swamp) once.
 
Back
Top Bottom