Connecticut Water Trails Association
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Connecticut Water Trails Association |
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Connecticut Water Trails Program
Paddling Basics
Learning how to transport your boat to and from the
water correctly is an important part of preparing for any paddling trip.
This includes carrying your boat by hand and transporting it on your
vehicle.
Empty your boat of all water and equipment before
you lift it. Extra weight is harder to lift and it can damage your boat
hull.
Lift your boat using the muscles in your legs as
much as possible, keeping your back straight and your knees bent.
Lifting and carrying techniques designed for two or
more people require communication and coordination. Practice them before
you leave on your first trip.
If you want to learn single-person lifting and
carrying techniques, do so with the help of experienced paddlers (who
can act as spotters). Never attempt such techniques for the first time
alone.
 Step-by-Step
Procedures
There are three basic kinds of boat lifts and carries;
those performed by more than two paddlers, those performed by two
paddlers, and those performed by single individuals. Each type has its
own advantages and disadvantages.
Lifting
And Carrying - More Than Two Paddlers
Group carries, when performed correctly, are easy for
everyone involved.
The most common group method for lifting and
carrying is the simple underhand lift. Paddlers choose spots on either
side of the boat (everyone facing in the same direction), grab the
closest side with their boat-side hand and lift upwards. Group lifts
work best when the terrain is relatively flat, the trail is wide and
there are enough paddlers for the job (usually four or more). They can
be difficult to coordinate on rougher terrain or narrow trails.
Lifting
And Carrying - Two Paddlers
Two-person lifts and carries are commonly used to
carry boats short distances or to lift them up onto roof-top car racks.
The
Underhand Lift And Carry
To carry your boat short distances, use a basic
underhand lift. Stand on the opposite side and opposite end of the boat
from your partner. Grab the closest carrying handle or gunwale edge with
your boat-side hand (while your partner does the same) and lift straight
upwards. Don't use your boat's deck plates for lifting unless they have
a built-in carrying handle.
Face in the direction of travel so you can see where
you're going and avoid obstacles in your path. Communicate with your
partner, so they know if you need to stop and set the boat down. The
paddler in front should act as the eyes for the rear paddler, warning
them of any obstacles in the path.
The
Overhead Lift And Carry
When transporting your boat over longer distances
(like during a portage), you can reduce arm and shoulder strain by
carrying the boat overhead on your shoulders. The following lift
procedure can also be used when lifting a boat to place it on a roof-top
car rack:
Begin by standing at the opposite end (but the same
side) of the boat as your partner, both of you facing the boat.
For A Canoe:
Grab both gunwales (one in each hand) just in front
of the seat closest to you. Have your partner do the same. Make sure
your hand closest to the bow is on the far gunwale, while your hand
closest to the stern is on the near gunwale.
For A Kayak:
Grab the handles on the ends of the kayak
Then
Continue On:
Working in conjunction with your partner, lift upwards
simultaneously (being careful to lift with your legs and keep your backs
as straight as possible) until the boat is resting right-side-up against
your thighs.
Pause briefly to make sure your partner is ready to proceed, then lift and roll the boat up over your heads in a single, smooth motion, using one thigh to thrust the boat hull upwards if necessary. NOTE: you may find that cupping the hull of the canoe with your stern-side arm as you rotate it helps you control the boat.
Once the boat is directly overhead, carefully lower
the boat until the boat are resting comfortably on your (and your
partner's) shoulders.
The two-person overhead carry is most effective when
the ground is relatively flat and the distance to be covered is not too
long. On rough terrain and long trails, it can be somewhat difficult to
stay coordinated.
The two-person overhead technique can also make
seeing the trail ahead somewhat difficult, especially if the paddler in
front is the same size or shorter than the rear paddler. If this is the
case, the front paddler may wish to scoot forward until they can rest
the deck of the canoe on one shoulder or the other, so that their head
is not under the hull.
NOTE: If you plan on doing a
lot of 2-person overhead carrying with a canoe, consider outfitting it
with front and rear carrying yokes. Carrying yokes are special,
ergonomically curved thwarts designed to make carrying canoes easier on
your shoulders. A single carrying yoke is usually found in the center of
most canoes, but shorter ones for canoe ends are also available. For
occasional 2-person carries, simply pad your shoulders (or if your PFD
has padding over the shoulders, wear it as you carry your boat).
Lifting
And Carrying—One Paddler
Surprisingly, one of the easiest and most efficient
ways to carry a canoe or kayak is by yourself.
For a canoe with a comfortable carrying yoke, a
little padding, and some careful practice, you can transport a canoe
over long routes and difficult portage trails on your own with relative
ease.
Single-person carries are popular among experienced
paddlers because they avoid the coordination and communication problems
involved in multi-person methods. Picking up a kayak is easy but a canoe
by yourself, however, can be somewhat challenging and should be
approached with caution.
The
Single-Person Lift
Single-person lifts for a canoe should be performed
only when necessary. Even if you're going to carry your canoe by
yourself, let other paddlers help you get the canoe into position
whenever possible. Learn and practice single-person lifts with other
paddlers nearby before you try them alone. They are not difficult or
dangerous when performed correctly. However, the risk of injury does
exist.
NOTE: This procedure begins
with the canoe on the ground, gunnel side down. It requires a centered
carrying yoke (or at least a center thwart).
Facing the bow end of your canoe, carefully bend and
lift the bow overhead, with the stern end still on the ground. A towel
or pad under the stern gunnels and deck plate will help protect them
from scratches.
With the bow overhead, turn so that you are inside
and under the canoe, facing the bow end. Slowly walk backwards toward
the carrying yoke until you can fit it on your shoulders, tilt the bow
end of the boat slightly forward and downward until the stern end rises
off the ground. Balance, and you're ready to go.
Alternative
Lift
If you prefer not to expose your stern gunnels and
deck plate to wear and tear, you may also attempt the solo lift
described below. Keep in mind, however, that this procedure will be
harder on your body (especially your back) than the one described
above).
Once the canoe is positioned on your shoulders,
shift it backwards or forwards slightly until it's comfortable and
tilted up a little in the bow. This will make walking easier on the
portage trail. Place your hands slightly forward on each gunwale to help
balance the boat as you walk.
NOTE: Many canoeists find it
more comfortable to grip the gunwales with their fingers on the inside
of the hull and their thumbs on the outside when carrying a canoe solo.
Getting
A Helping Hand
When there's one extra person available to help get a
canoe on your shoulders, have them stand just behind the yoke while you
stand just in front of it (both of you on the same side of the boat).
Follow the procedure described above, except with your hands a foot or
so in front of the yoke and your helper's hands behind it.
When there are two paddlers available to help, stand at the yoke while the other two people line up at the rear and front thwarts. Again, follow the same basic lifting procedure above to get the canoe overhead.
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