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may need additional guidance and be willing to accept it . What may be an acceptable challenge for one group member may not be so for others . Generally , one member of the party should not enter a challenging spot until the paddler ahead is in the clear . ( SOS ) The mantra is to use a single file , one at a time , and be well-spaced .
I GENERALLY CARRY A FEW ‘ KEY ’ PIECES OF EQUIPMENT WHEN PADDLING SUCH STREAMS
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Bow and stern lines are mandatory . The lines should each be approximately the length of the canoe . Such lines will help you control the canoe should you disembark and reenter from a challenging spot . With them , you ’ ll have the option of lining , and they ’ re handy for tying up the canoe at lunch when there isn ’ t room to pull it out . The lines should be arranged in the canoe so you can reach them from the paddling station . They will be of minimal value if they are coiled at the bow and stern , unreachable from the seating area . A ditch bag . This is a dry bag filled with a change of clothes and perhaps a towel . It must be secured in the boat to avoid losing it during a capsize . A sharp pruning saw and / or tree pruning shears should be part of your kit . Often , trimming or clipping some small branches may make the difference between a safe run and one risking entanglement . I prefer to remove only those necessary for safety and not more .
LET ’ S BEGIN WITH A SINGLE TREE TRUNK OR LARGE LIMB SPANNING THE CREEK
It has many branches , some pointing down into the water . The bottom of most of the main trunk is very close to the water surface , but there is a short section with about 18 ” of ‘ headroom ’ between the bottom of the trunk and the water surface . The water is flowing moderately , but you are confident you can approach it and back off if necessary . Your evaluation reveals no strainers downstream from the tree and a runnable route to line up with the ‘ slot ’. The only issue is your ability to duck low enough without losing directional control . With such a ‘ duck-under ’ situation , one must remember that their life jacket adds a few inches of height to their back .
Many a paddler has gotten caught or jammed up that way . My usual technique is to line up , get some momentum pointing my canoe in the right direction , and then quickly slide off my seat into the bilge of the canoe , usually on my side . In this manner I can get almost completely beneath the gunwales . As soon as I am clear of the log , I can easily and quickly roll onto my knees and return to paddling . Most of my solo canoes have the forward thwart at least 36 ” ahead of the seat , giving me plenty of room to duck into . Let ’ s say that you come upon a log that is partially submerged . Most , if not all , of the water is flowing beneath it . You ’ ve evaluated the situation from a safe distance and determined that paddling up to it is safe .
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