Canoeing

Water Sports

Observations and some helpful hints from Barbara Euser's "Take 'em Along." Canoeing provides an opportunity for families to travel through the wilderness without requiring the adults to carry everyone's equipment everywhere. Here are some tips:

1) Have at least two adults for every child in a party so that paddling and portaging can be accomplished without excessive individual strain.

2) Pack food, clothing and sleeping gear in material as waterproof as possible.

3) In areas such as the Boundary Waters or Quetico, decide whether you want to set up a base camp or take a circle trip. Your choice will depend on personal inclinations and will influence such things as the type of stoves or musical instruments you carry with you.

4) Be sure to take mosquito hats and insect repellent, sun hats and sun cream, raincoats and pants, boatshoes, child-sized paddles, and lifejackets. They should be included on all lists of prerequisite equipment.

5) Take a complete set of maps (in waterproof containers if possible) and know how to read them.

6) In planning, remember that river trips are sometimes easier than journeys involving a series of portages.

7) In all cases, gather as much information as possible in advance, plan carefully, and maintain as much flexibility in the trip plan as possible.

8) Wear lifejackets when in the canoe.

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