RAY GOODWIN ’ S
POLING
PART ONE
Words and photos : Ray Goodwin
If you have ever been frustrated , on long shallow areas of a river , shoving off the bottom with a paddle , then poling is for you . Poling gives us a practical way to make progress , whether upstream or down when the water is shallow .
In previous times , wooden poles were cut and shaped when and where needed . Some will stick with wood for the aesthetics , but glass fibre , Kevlar or aluminium poles are very convenient and light . They usually have a split in the middle , so they are thrown into the car for transportation and stow easily in a canoe . All of the poling sequences in the photographs show this type of pole . The inside is packed with foam and the ends capped . They can bend excessively under a dynamic push , and the end caps are slightly rounded , so they do not get the best grip on the riverbed . You can also use them as the mast and gaff of a sailing rig . For harder poling , I have a single piece of aluminium with a spike on each end .
There are two leading schools of thought on stance and balance . Many advocate a diagonal stance ( photo 1 ) where the feet are wide and diagonal across the canoe . However , many of us have moved over to the style of the competition poler , where the feet are wide and square ( photo 2 ) across the canoe . I use a diagonal stance on occasion but , for the vast majority of the time , and certainly when it gets hard , I will be square . The square stance enables you to use edging to steer the canoe and swap poling side with ease .
The pole can be used very effectively as a paddle , whether kneeling or stood ( photo 3 ). If I suddenly go from shallow to deep water or lose control rapidly , I do not reach for a paddle but will continue with using the pole as a paddle .
Photo 3
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