slackseat.com/

I don't know what canoe you are using but getting the canoe up on edge rocker may be 'formed' by the side of the canoe. Many canoes with minimal rocker will work fine when heeled (tipped) to the side.

Pretty much (Guide, Northwoods, Canadian) are all very similar and some people don't separate them out. There is also a fair bit of variance in how people execute each of these. Same species different variants.

Let me know where you are located - best way to start is getting some direction. You can find my experience here: home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~burchil/pm_canoe/poling.html I have made most of my own poles from either spruce or closet dowel. I have found the best length is 12 feet - allows for 3 feet of water depth, leaving a good length for pushing with. Water deeper than 3 feet I will paddle (or kayak with the pole). I have three aluminum poles that I just bought the right length. Aluminum has started to get expensive over the last few years. If you are shorter you might be able to get away with a shorter pole - I have friends that use 9 or 10foot poles.

@@CharlesBurchill Nice bit of water to pole on. If I can add on, a spruce pole from a tree grown in a thick spruce stand makes a sweet pole, the great thing is they are usually free and I at times select a standing dead tree as no one will care as much if you remove a dead tree, but to the point on the proper length these wood poles are easy to trim to a comfortable length that the user will find most comfortable, I like to use different poles depending on what kind of water I will be on, a shorter pole on a small alder choked stream while out tracking trout may be in the 10 foot range and on bigger rivers deeper water a 12 footer is nice.

​@@CharlesBurchillI live in Maryland, the Potomac River seems ideal for polling. I'm 6'1" so I'm guessing the 12' pole is best. In any case, thank you for getting back, and also for posting the maneuver videos you have up! I'm new to freestyle as well and attended the Pine Barrens workshop last year - your videos have been a great refresher and intro to other maneuvers!

@@NikonF5user Look for the Main symposium - missed it for this year. Online look for Lisa DeHart - three minutes with a main guide. There is a book by Harry Rock (along with a DVD), Canoe Poling, that I found helpful. There are a few other people online but connecting in person is probably the best bet. I am glad that you found the FS videos helpful. I have attended the Wisconsin Symposium several times and Marc and Paul (and others) were really helpful in my learning progression. Adirondack and Pine Barrens have been on my list but timing (and distance) have been hurdles. The practical side at Pine Barrens is an awesome approach.

@@downeastprimitiveskills7688 - You are absolutely right, I have used one 'bush' made pole and that should have been on my list. Thanks for the comment.. I will admit the pile of poles that I have are primarily 12foot. I have one longer (which I don't like), and a couple shorter (which I tend to find frustrating because 'miss' the bottom, and reach over the top when climbing). It is what we have used and become accustom to using.

Where are you located? There are a few instructors distributed across NA/Europe if you want some direct training. If you are looking for something less direct look for the books by Harry Rock. There are some additional references at the bottom of this page: home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~burchil/pm_canoe/poling.html

@@CharlesBurchill I’m in New England stateside, thanks for the response I will check it out!

Look for Harry Rock, Lisa-D-Hart and Three Minutes with a Main Guide. The Main Canoe Symposium usually has poling sessions.

Thanks

Glad you enjoyed it

Yes - there are a few on this channel (I realize there are lots of clips already). If you are interested in one (or a few) in particular I can do something more specific. for example see: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqXdgWmNqbBkicU or kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioPadIVpmpeAsNk I don't know where you are starting from so these may not be suitable. Look at doing some basic turns without the paddle (just be initiation and weighting).

@@CharlesBurchill I was specificly thinking of how to spin the canoe around like you do in the very beginning of the video. I've been trying to do it but my canoe always starts not only spinning but also moving to some direction😀 I would really appreciate getting advice for that.

Thanks for the clarification - I don't have anything right now that provides a good demonstration. When I get a chance I will work on something. In the meantime send me a message and I will write more - it is a little long for YT comment.

Sorry for the long delay in replying but I have a clip that shows the direction of the force and some commentary in the comments section: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqrKoXSMe8Z_eNk

@@CharlesBurchill Thank you Charles!

Thanks - it was fun setting this up.

I have gone for a swim and lived. Often this little river is not much for swimming unless you find a deep hole. It is fairly clean in this area so that would be OK.

Good question - looking at the video I must have started at 35N (Tetrault Rd). I usually paddle out and back when solo but 34, 33 provide egress points (and then it is a long paddle to the next). Depending on the water levels it would be fine in kayaks unless there are trees fallen over the river. It might be worth phoning the Seine Rate Roseau Watershed District office (204-326-1030) - a friend works there that paddles and should be able to tell you if the water levels are good. Should be good right now, but it was so dry this winter it might not last.

It was great seeing someone on skinny tires - I have only used my Fat Bike twice riding actif epica and this year the skinny tires would have been better.

@@CharlesBurchill It was the best decision until the mud haha. Then I was walking my bike while the fatbikers all flew past

That was how I felt last year when I was riding my 29er - just waved goodbye to the Fatties.... I walked.

Pine Point Rapids.

Thank you so much!

Probably not (or not necessarily). The north woods paddle provides an alternative holding point which can help. If you are looking for something to help with repetitive strain injury a smaller/narrow blade might be better off. Trying an ergonomic grip and bent shaft also helps. Sit/switch also is an alternative. Good body rotation and optimal catch minimizing the need for paddle rotation might be helpful as well.

Ok thanks. I'm new to canoeing and want the most efficient stroke/paddle set up for easy/moderate all day paddling on large lakes or slow moving rivers either tandem or solo in a Nova Craft Pal 16'. I'm thinking either the Badger Paddles "Woodland" or the Bending Branches "Black Pearl 11". What do you think? @@CharlesBurchill

Both are nice paddles but quite different to use. If you are new to paddling you might want to borrow/try ahead of time before spending the kind of money being asked. The Black Peal is much lighter and if you are just paddling might be a better option - but you pay for the pleasure. The bent shaft means you can be a little lazy about posture, catch, and power. Unless you know you are going to use the palmed grip (NorthWoods grip) it might not be worth the extra.

I would strongly recommend connecting with your local canoe store (if you have one) to get sizing information. If not connect with both suppliers about sizing - this can be quite personal and depends on your size, type of boat, seating preferences, stroke preference.

In the end you might end up getting multiple paddles - I have a number of paddles (and a spare) that I use under different expected conditions and kids of paddling/boats.

Thanks - next time.

Hopefully someone with more ability will confirm

Thanks for the ride and company as well - made the wind easier to take.

Yes, from Colden

Thanks.

Thanks! I hope to keep it going here for a bit anyway.

This is on St. Labre rd about 1km east of hwy 210. It is close to the cross country ski trails - but not the ski trails. We don't want to mix up activity on the trails. These are MTB trails in the summer.

The path in this video is only 4km, I usually connect a number of trails together for a longer ride. I have not ridden the Crow Wing from Emerson to Winnipeg this year but it should be doable, as you say. There are some sections that can get filled in near the suspension bridge south of the Roseau River. When you turn north of the border there are some long sections without good access/egress as well.

I did but not really enough...

I had to mount my camera to something to get it outside of the canoe. It happened that I had a rod available - the transit and tripod got to stay at home that day. :-) I did use these as part of my field work at one time but not in a while. The equipment has had along life having been used by my father in his youth.

I don't think a Cap Flip has many real world applications for various reasons but it is fun to try. With a larger canoe there are a few options - more than one person, air bags, dry bag assist, It has been a long time since my whip kick was good enough to flip a larger boat. Technique also makes a big difference. If I am doing a self rescue now I am more likely to do a splashout, just swim, or with airbags just bail. Thanks for saying I am burly :-) rather than the alternative.

@@CharlesBurchill Hahaha!! After quite a few not reassuring attempts at self rescue I think that end air bags are almost a must have for a long solo trip. Of course prevention is 100% better than being able to do self rescue! Making the right choices like not paddling while it's really windy, or portaging vs running a rapid etc....are all way better than an unwanted swim! Fortunately it doesn't happen all that often.

Further downstream this is the same river that the local moving water people use for courses and 'ShinDig'. This section has limited whitewater but lots of moving water - it is one of my favourite places. I was surprised that there was still quite a bit of water.

This river does have tubers but this section it is not heavily used (mostly locals). Access is not as easy as some of the other more popular areas.

Thanks

This is one of my favourite rivers.