Canoeing in Swift Water 



light, and so time your seaward progress that you will 

 catch the first wave just after it breaks; the second wave 

 just before it breaks; and so on. It is much easier to go 

 out safely than to come in dry, unless you remember 

 always to have the seaward end of your canoe drawing 

 less water than the other end. 



When going shoreward, kneel forward of the centre 

 thwart and paddle toward the shore, watching for a 

 following wave. If you can get the canoe moving fast 

 enough, the sea will catch you with the bow of your 

 canoe pointing slightly down, and will carry you in this 

 position on its crest until it breaks and shoots you 

 smoothly upon the sand. It takes but little steering, 

 as the water beneath you has a firm grip on the deep 

 forward end of the boat, and as it is going straight for the 

 beach, it will carry you straight with it. 



This is logical to the average sailor, as it is common 

 practice, when landing a dinghy or other hand-propelled 

 craft through the surf, to back her in. The stern draws 

 more water than the bow, and the bow has a chance to 

 rise to the breaking surf and will not ship any water. 

 In going out, the bow is still towards the waves and the 

 boat is easily steered, as the deep stern is still gripped by 

 the inrushing water, which helps to hold the boat at 

 right angles to the surf-line. 



Although it is remarkable what a heavy surf you can 

 negotiate with a canoe, it is really no place for this type 

 of craft, but the history of my experiences may be help- 

 ful to those who like to play in the waves. As a sport 

 it quite rivals the Hawaiian surf-board. Incidentally, 

 it would have saved the writer embarrassment, money, 

 and a friend if he had known how, before attempting to 

 take a lady passenger ashore through the surf. 



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