Boot-n-Paddle!
There have been great advancements in canoeing technology in recent years. Gone are the days of a purely paddle-powered excursion. The great forces of nature sometimes bestow upon the paddler, wind! This wind can either be a great challenge or a great gift of speed. When the desired direction of a humble canoeist is in accordance with this wonderful force, an amazing opportunity arises. Before the dawn of these technological advancements, a downwind paddle was a pleasant speed boost, but now it boasts an extremely powerful payoff. This technology is commonly known as the sail. Very similar to what you see on a schooner, the skilled canoeist can craft a lofty sail, too! Consisting of two paddles, a tarp and two canoes fastened together, each corner of the tarp is lashed around the handle of the two paddles. They are then hoisted by the crew sitting in the bow seat. The lower corners are pulled in tight, and the wind fills the sail. The unruly speed is kept under control and in the right direction by the two crew in the stern, using their paddles as rudders. This technology can propel a raft of two boats at astronomical speeds, often creating enough wake to swamp a cruise ship.
Members of the St. Lawrence University Outing Club (Allison Gill ’26, Pierce Wilkerson ’27, Silas Timm ’27, Ella Robjent ’28, and participant Dominic Dorman ’29) set out on their first overnight trip of the season. The plan was to paddle to a designated campsite on Joe Indian Island on Cranberry Lake. Having paddled around the cove of the boat launch, Joe Indian Island seemed to be quite a trek down the lake. They were blessed with a very calm afternoon, which made for easy paddling. A splendid evening was spent at the campsite. A wonderful stir-fry was made by the skilled chefs in attendance. As the night grew dark, a small wind was beginning to build in the direction of the boat launch that they would be returning to. The happy campers crawled into their sleeping bags and dreamt of their sail back home the next day. The next morning, after a short but successful fishing expedition and a splendid breakfast, the crew packed up and set sights on the far side of the lake: home. The wind began to build as they paddled home, and an excitement for a sail arose. Fashioned by three paddles this time, the skilled seamen were able to perform a broad reach with fine adjustments to the sail. A straight downwind sail is the most favorable, but that day the wind was at a slight angle. In the rear, Timm and Robjent steered the boat across the wind as Gill, Wilkerson and Dorman expertly trimmed the sail. This allowed them to sail quite a distance across the wind with only one paddling tack. The canoe sail is not only a boost in speed but is a boost in morale. Five happy adventurers returned home in a splendid manner.
Sincerely,
Your Phriendly Neighborhood Outing Club