September 2016 Rappahannock River Canoe Outing – by Joe Zhang
Tips for canoeing: be strong. A canoe usually weighs 40+ pounds, and the fact that it is being carried from the bow and the stern just makes it feel even heavier. My buddy and I carried the canoes accross a field and down a hill, and there would’ve been a “canoe-off break” every few seconds if someone else didn’t help us. Also, canoes move slowly compared to kayaks. So you’re going to need to be strong if you want a decent pace, or move in general.
At first we didn’t know which way to go. Therefore we should definitely go in one direction. then the other, and then repeat to cover all our bases. We did. Soon, however, we got the direction sorted out. We rowed for an hour, maybe more, to our first stopping point. The scenery was refreshing. At first, it was fine, but as I got off the canoe and onto land, sand sneaked into my water shoes. The only way to get them out is to go in the water, empty them out, try to put them on, slip and realize you might as well go swimming because you are completely wet. Some people just swam instead. At the same time, others ate lunch, and having lunch in the water is not something I’d recommend, After lunch, we continued canoeing (obviously). A few of us found a new hobby: touch the bridges.
The final stretch was the hardest part – we were told that we should dock after the golf field. We didn’t expect the landmark to be about 20 minutes of canoeing away from the dock. My hands were getting red. And the dock got closer after a quiet eternity. But at least we made it.
