There is no reason that any person with a bit of common sense
cannot organize a successful canoe trip. There is no reason that
any person  with
an average fitness level and basic paddling skills cannot
participate in one. Canoe trips are a wonderful activity for
anyone ranging in age from six to one hundred.
We may have preconceived notions about how difficult, dangerous
or expensive canoe tripping is. Fortunately, these notions
usually far exceed the reality of what skills are required to go
on a trip. We do not have to be expert paddlers or highly
skilled whitewater enthusiasts. We do not have to invest
thousands of dollars into exotic canoes and specialized outdoor
gear.
What then do we need?
First, we need at least some paddling ability. A canoe trip is
probably not the place for anyone to learn to paddle. Spend some
time out on your local lakes and rivers after work or on
weekends. Take a paddling course at your local canoe club. As
you spend time in your canoe, you will become more comfortable
with how it handles. As you gain confidence in handling a canoe,
your chances of having a safe, enjoyable trip increase.
Second, we need some basic equipment. Some of it is specialized,
and specific to canoe tripping. This does not mean that we have
to get a second mortgage and run out to buy all of this
equipment. Canoes can be rented or borrowed, and most other
equipment can be scrounged if you do not already own it. Once
you put out the word that you are a novice and that you are
planning a trip, you will probably be surprised at the offers of
canoes, tents and equipment that suddenly arise. Canoeists are
generally a friendly, sharing and helpful bunch - if they are
not using their gear on a particular weekend, they will probably
be happy to lend it to you. Along with the gear, you will
probably get loads of helpful advice.
Another thing we do need is a desire to paddle in the wilderness
and a realistic expectation of what we will encounter while we
are out on our trip. Canoeing should never result in constant
adversity or hardship - if it does, it most likely means that we
didn't do a good enough job on our planning, or brought
inappropriate gear with us. On the other hand, we have to be the
type of people who are willing to give up a few of the creature
comforts we're used to. We have to realize that during our trips
we will be working hard. We will come back with dirty clothes,
and everything we own will smell like smoke. We will use an
upturned canoe as a food preparation table and our bathroom
facilities will be "rustic" at best. We may find that
we are shivering as we roll out of our sleeping bags in the
morning to put on the coffee, and our arms, shoulders and backs
will ache by the end of the day.
On the plus side, we will spend time immersed in magnificent
scenery, we will enjoy the company of good friends and we will
have an opportunity to observe plants and wildlife from a newer,
closer perspective. The concerns of the 9 to 5 grind at the
office will fade from our minds with every paddle stroke. Nobody
can worry about that unfinished paperwork as they watch the sun
begin to rise over a mist-shrouded lake. Do these things seem
like adequate payback for abandoning the comforts of city life?
If they do, then you're probably going to have a great time on
your trip. If not, no problem...canoe tripping isn't for
everyone.
The final thing that we need is a certain amount of experience.
If we don't have the degree of experience which will allow us to
make quick, confident decisions and judgment calls, we should
consider inviting an experienced paddler to accompany us for the
first few times we go out on trips. Spending three days with an
experienced canoe tripper will teach us more than any hundred
books that we could read.
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