Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The standard joke among paddlers is to pass a drainage ditch with some
water in it and say “it looks runnable.” Use detailed guidebooks and
acquaint yourself with International River Classification System before
setting off on a river trip.
Canoe Clinics
Each June, L.L. Bean sponsors a canoe symposium on Moose
Pond in Bridgton. Dozens of different models are available to
test. Clinics include topics such as choosing a canoe, paddle tech-
nique, and how to pole. To find out the exact dates and more in-
formation,
800-341-4341.
Maine Sports in Rockport and Cadillac Mountain Sports in
Bangor (see page 118) also sponsor annual paddling clinics and
demonstrations.
Canoeing Safety
Conditions can change rapidly. Spring and fall temperatures
require use of wet or dry suits . The rule of thumb is that
when the air and water temperature added together doesn't
equal 100, on go the suits.
The most important piece of equipment, after a good attitude,
is a life jacket . Forget the old orange ones that are uncomfort-
able and bulky. Get, rent, beg, borrow, or steal a good vest-type
life jacket and then wear it. Once you are overboard it is too
late to put it on.
If you should hit a rock or come up against a tree leaning out
over the river, resist the urge to lean away. When you hit, the
current will be pushing the bottom of the canoe downstream. If
you lean upstream, you are just helping it tip you over faster.
This goes against instinct and is hard to do but necessary.
If you do flip , take steps to keep from getting pinned between
the canoe and any rocks downstream. Stay upstream of the ca-
noe. Even moderate current pressing on a canoe can exert
thousands of pounds of pressure. Don't worry about the gear,
it can be replaced. Make sure you and your canoe partner are
safe first.
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