Boats: Canoe Capming

Canoe Capming

Canoe camping is a peaceful yet exciting way to enjoy the outdoors. To feel that you’re truly getting away from it all, this is the way to go! The solitude of the lake, a secluded campsite, complete independence… is there anything better?

With this independence and seclusion comes the need to arrive prepared. Canoe campers often trek into territories where it just isn’t possible to run out to the store if something is forgotten at home. With research and good planning, this could be the trip of a lifetime!

The first major consideration is the canoe. Whether you decide to rent or buy, talk to an expert at the store you are dealing with. Tell them where you are going and have them show you several different suitable canoes. Ask how each one differs from the others. Understand how much weight you can safely carry in the canoe. The size of the canoe is an important factor to consider. While a 15-foot canoe is ideal for river paddling, longer boats are faster and easier to maneuver over lakes and open water. Renting for your first few trips allows you to get a feel for different canoes and how they will handle in the water. Don’t forget to take one extra paddle per canoe in case one is lost.

Canoeing might seem easy at a glance, but there is a technique to paddling, steering and coming ashore. Sign up for a canoeing course before you go to learn the ropes and give you confidence on the water. Adults and children going on the trip should be confident swimmers; sign up for lessons well in advance. Since river canoeing is more difficult than canoeing on a lake, try an open water trip for your first experience.

Properly fitting life jackets are a must for every person in the canoe. They must be worn at all times, so choose one that is comfortable. Take your kids swimming in a pool with their life jackets before heading out on your trip so they can get used to how they feel and work. Each paddler will also need a comfortable seat cushion (which doubles as a pillow for sleeping), wide brimmed hat, sunscreen, bug spray, hand sanitizer, paddling shoes, sunglasses and rain gear.