The
Canoe
The Canadian canoe is a unique form of transport. Powered by paddle
alone it is equally at home on white water river, lake, sea loch or
along the coast. It can be paddled solo or tandem and will comfortably
carry you and all you need for a comfortable wilderness adventure. It
will take you far off the beaten track and at a speed that allows you
to appreciate the natural world. It is also light enough to carry over
the portage trail when crossing watersheds or avoiding rapids.
The canoe also provides us with a broad spectrum of experiences from a laid back journey where the pressures of work dissolve and we take time to reconnect with ourselves and the natural world, right through to achieving a team challenge and, of course, everything in between.
Before deciding on the venue it is essential that the group have an agreed focus for the trip to avoid misconceptions. So the first consideration is: “What do we want to get out of the journey”. Here are some ideas:
| • | A quiet amble down the Thames, camping near pubs along the way. |
| • | The Great Glen, a voyage from Irish Sea to North Sea right across Scotland. |
| • | Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape route to the sea via Loch Shiel, river Shiel and Loch Moidart. |
| • | Crossing Rannoch Moor by paddle and portage. |
• The Knoydart Peninsula.
• The islands of Loch Lomond, or Loch Maree.
• Poole Harbour And these trips may have a cultural, wildlife or photography theme.
• The River Spey.
• Or Wye.
• Or Severn.
A paddle out to a suitable base camp and there improve or learn a new skill set, whether it be canoecraft, bushcraft, or wilderness living.
Any of these themes can be adapted to “team building” or “team bonding” to weld the group as each individual rises to the meaningful, real time challenges of logistics, navigation, group dynamics and leadership along the journey.
Once you have decided the theme and location for your canoe journey then it can be tailor-made to suit your needs and be as strenuous, laid back, intense or moodling as desired. The canoe will fit in with whatever you decide.