Canoes

Last updated on September 23rd, 2022 at 05:09 pm

Paddling a canoe is one of my favourite ways to spend some time, alone or with someone.

I first learned to paddle a canoe as a young Scout leader in the 1980’s in Guelph, Ontario. Another young leader, D’Arcy Grant, taught me the basics and helped me grow my skills over the years. His friendship and mentoring helped me gain the confidence to develop my skills and be ready to take our Troop out on the water.

The rhythm of paddling, the quiet lapping of the water along the hull, the pace that allows for quiet observance of the environment around are all things that have brought me deep joy.

I’ve paddled back-country rivers and lakes in Northern Ontario and urban and rural rivers in Southern Ontario. I’ve paddled solo and with friends. It all brings peace and joy to my heart.

Movies

Bill Mason is arguably one of Canada’s most extraordinary wilderness paddlers and documentary filmmakers. His movie, Song of the Paddle, speaks to the joy of exploring the Canadian wilderness by canoe. The National Film Board of Canada has made this movie available to stream for free. There are quite a few of his films available through the NFB site if you like this one, including instructional paddling movies.

Books

Some books in no particular order, all pretty old now that helped me get started:

• The Path of the Paddle, Bill Mason
• Song of the Paddle, Bill Mason
• The Complete Woodsman, Paul Provencher
• The Wood and Canvas Canoe, Jerry Stelmok and Rollin Thurlow
• Canoecraft: A Harrowsmith Illustrated Guide to Fine Woodstrip Construction, Ted Moores, Merilyn Mohr
• The Complete Wilderness Paddler, James West Davidson, John Rugge