Getting “Boat Feel”

Last year we were given an incredible gift by an alumni family: 8 fully outfitted whitewater canoes! These are top of the line tandem “Captions”. Often, boys arrive at Cherokee Creek having canoed at summer camp or in a local waterway – in flatwater boats. Whitewater boats take a little getting used to. They are different in a couple of critical ways: they have less surface contact with the water; and they are designed to turn on a dime.

As we teach boys to become whitewater boaters, we start with “boat feel” – getting used to how to sit comfortably and move with the boat instead of working against it. A paddler who stays relaxed and moved with the boat is far less likely to find himself on the “swim team.”

Check out the video below of Sam and Dylan on Lake Hartwell. As they paddle into the sunset they are relaxed, have good momentum and paying attention to the distict feel of a whitewater canoe.

Moving water is next! Stay tuned…

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posted by Judy Leslie in Donations,Students,Treks and have Comments (2)

2 Responses to “Getting “Boat Feel””

  1. Carla Shorts says:

    Many of the skills the boys are learning on their way to becoming expert whitewater paddlers are skills they can apply to life. I feel that learning to stay relaxed and to move “with” instead of “against” is essential to a happy and balanced life.

  2. Robyn says:

    Looks like you boys got the “boat feel” to me. Excellent job guys!!!
    Hugs to Sam!