Canoeing in Swift Water 



for the benefit of the experienced eye the more essential 

 positions of the operator when using a pole under varied 

 conditions. 



A careful study of the photographs will visualize for 

 the reader the relative positions of operator, pole, canoe, 

 and current in typical situations. 



I am going to advise the reader who wishes to pole 

 a canoe in swift water from a standing position, first 

 to take his canoe in shallow water on the edge of a 

 placid lake, then try standing up and pushing himself 

 along with a pike-pole. A little practice of this sort 

 may assist him to keep his balance, and he should be 

 able after a half-hour's practice to gather unto himself 

 all that there is to learn in handling a canoe this 

 way. 



Also he is very likely to tip over and get wet. This 

 should give him an opportunity to learn the " alphabet 

 of the game," and also how it feels to jump in smooth 

 water " before jumping into swift-water work." 



Of course, outside practice in balancing, there is no 

 object in poling a canoe in still, placid water. A paddle 

 would be much more practical. 



After having practised awhile in calm, shallow water, 

 you have arrived at an advanced stage of self-confidence 

 and have keenly developed your sense of balance, and you 

 will naturally wish to try your luck in swift water. Do 

 not be surprised when you find that immediately upon 

 striking the current your canoe will come suddenly to life, 

 and will try to do all sorts of crazy stunts that it would 

 never think of doing in still water. 



At this point you will probably join with our friend 

 Irving Cobb in what he said to the food controller when 

 the latter ostensibly tried to interfere with the first 

 square meal that Irving was able to get hold of after 

 returning home from the front, viz. : 



H3 



