How to recruit new canoe paddlers?
- Thread starter Steve in Idaho
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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.
I am not hopeful about the future of canoeing because so many people do not take the time to learn to paddle one.
That was BC...... Before Cayaks. (They're not real, so I can spell it how I want)
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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)
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 capsize, likely causing multiple capsizes in the middle of that thing. No way.
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That's a lotta plastic!
This caught my attention...
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. 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!
An attempt with more canoes was made in Old Town, Maine during 1993 as shown below, but it fell short of the record.
Benson
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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
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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.
My best canoe recruiting has happened during the journeys to the put in. We stop for lunch with canoes on the roof or on the trailer. We have a waitress that sees the boats and asks about our trip. They want to go. This has happened multiple times.
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I wonder how many of those encounters translated into them actually doing it. I've been an avid motorcycle traveler for decades and I can't count the number of times someone claimed they were going to get one and start taking trips like mine. At least with canoes you're less likely to hear the "my wife won't let me" excuse.
I bet many married canoeists would argue with that.
"I'm going on a canoe trip. See you in a month, babe. What's that? No, I won't have any cell reception so I won't be able to call or check in. You won't be able to get ahold of me if there is a problem either. If you haven't heard from me in 35 days you can call the RCMP and tell them to go search for my body."
Alan
I agree, and suspect that boats have been the source of at least as many 'domestic discussions' as motorcycles. Tim Hewitt always maintained that the best answer to the inevitable question of 'how many canoes do you need?' was 'just one more, dear.'
Benson
I sheepishly remember telling my darling bride when I bought that first canoe, "it's not something I will be doing without you". 
Here was my ploy when I was invited to join a Yukon River race team. "Sure, would love to, guys, but I'll have to check with the home base first".... "Hey Babe, I know you like to travel to new and unusual places, how would you like to visit the far north next summer?" I know you like to tell me what to do so you could be our "teller" as part of our "bank staff" pit crew while you visit gold country of the far Northwest.
Well, she bit. Knowing the others on the team from many past local 90-mile races helped a lot. She actually made a lifelong good friend with the mom of one guy in the team, so much so that they talk nearly every day about their common major surgeries happening on the same day.
But here is the rub. It did not take long for her to discover a first-rate jewelry store in Dawson City where she became quick friends with the owner. Before I knew it, I was on the hook for a creek certified gold nugget to add to her gold necklace collection for each of 500 miles I race, and it may even extend to every 500 miles of time spent training back here at home. After five Yukon races, including two 1000 milers, in addition to the rest of the shorter 500 milers, I don’t think I can afford to go back to the Yukon any time soon.
Well, she bit. Knowing the others on the team from many past local 90-mile races helped a lot. She actually made a lifelong good friend with the mom of one guy in the team, so much so that they talk nearly every day about their common major surgeries happening on the same day.
But here is the rub. It did not take long for her to discover a first-rate jewelry store in Dawson City where she became quick friends with the owner. Before I knew it, I was on the hook for a creek certified gold nugget to add to her gold necklace collection for each of 500 miles I race, and it may even extend to every 500 miles of time spent training back here at home. After five Yukon races, including two 1000 milers, in addition to the rest of the shorter 500 milers, I don’t think I can afford to go back to the Yukon any time soon.
I've been informed in advance that won't work for me. Something more tropical... maybe.
