 The rivers and lakes that grace western Montana are ribbons
and pools of life. So far from the ocean, it’s strange, but comforting to
know that there is so much water around us. And with a little skill, we can
enjoy that water in a truly amazing way — by floating along in a canoe.
A canoe is perhaps the simplest, most pure water vessel
ever invented. It has no motor, no moving parts, but can tackle an array of
water bodies. Around here, those bodies include rivers and lakes such as the
Bitterroot River and Lake Como. If you’re new to the area or new to paddling,
why not try canoeing?
But where do you find one of these things? Well, there
is a good chance a neighbor has one leaning against the barn; ask if you can
join them on a paddle some time. You can also find canoes to rent from resorts
and guest cabins near Lake Como, which is just outside of Hamilton. Also,
there are paddling and outdoor shops that will sometimes allow you to demo
a canoe before you buy one.
If you’ve never canoed before, it’s best to start on
a lake. Even a flat river — one without rapids — like the Bitterroot can be
tricky. Canoes are a bit “tippy” if you’re unfamiliar with them and it’s best
to practice on easy water. Canoes can be paddled solo, but many are designed
to be paddled by two people, a stern paddler and a bow paddler. The paddler
in the stern, or back, is the person in charge of steering the boat. It’s
best to put the more experienced person back there. When you first step in,
make sure you move about keeping your weight, or center of gravity, low. Let
one person get settled before the other climbs in.
Once you have shoved off, the stern paddler should call
the shots and make sure that each paddler is paddling on opposite sides of
the boat. That helps stabilize the boat and avoid that tippy feeling. The
reason the boat feels like it could dump to one side is because it has a keel,
the spine on the bottom that helps the boat track, or move strait through
the water. Coordinate your strokes and you’ll be amazed at how smoothly and
quickly you can move across the water!
When you’re ready, you can dip your paddle into the Bitterroot
— but be warned, paddling on moving water is very different than moving on
still water. Even calm and flat water is tricky. But as you paddle in rivers,
you’ll learn to use the force of the moving water to your advantage, helping
you move quickly and safely across the current. Learning can be instinctive
to some, but many benefit from a paddling lesson from a friend or instructor,
of which there are a few in the Bitterroot Valley.
Learning to canoe is something everyone can do, and paddling
is a sport for all ages. But mastery can take a lifetime! The benefits of
canoeing are too numerous to list, but those that attract so many people include
the ability to go places hikers and bikers can’t, to travel away from roads
and trails into some of the areas’ most scenic and wild territory — while
never venturing too far from home, unless you want to. Even an afternoon floating
the calm Bitterroot River can lead you away from the highway and homes to
a place that looks much like it did 200 years ago, with deer and birds all
around.
And as with any outdoor pursuit, learning how to do it
safely can mean years of fun and adventure. Always wear a life jacket when
paddling rivers, and don’t try anything you’re not ready for — know what you’re
getting into before you shove off. And don’t forget the binoculars!
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