Canoeing Basics – Transporting a canoe
Portage – in the dictionary sense - means "carrying of boats from one navigable water to another" it dates back to 1698, and is Canadian French in origin. It originates in the behaviour of the French trappers in Canada who used to carry a canoe full of pelts or furs across mountains or other broken terrain so that they could travel down a river they hadn’t paddled up – doubling their chances of catching animals for their skins. If they went back down the river they’d come up, animals would be much scarcer.
Okay, you’re not a fur hunter, but if you are going to be canoeing you need to be able to move your canoe when it is out of the water, either to and from the water, or from one body of water to another. Here is a simple system:
1. Find the centre of gravity in the canoe – as a hint, it’s usually around where the seat is located
2. To lift the canoe solo, place one edge of the inside of the cockpit on your shoulder so the canoe is just about hanging there – remember to bend your knees while lifting and use your legs, not your back to do the hard work
3. Stabilise the canoe on your shoulder with your hands
4. Carry the canoe to where you need to go, making sure you don’t obscure your own view of your route by allowing the canoe to cover your eyes and that you are aware of tree stumps, rocks and puddles in your way
5. Place the canoe down, making sure you bend your knees.
Related Products:
