Pearl Learns to Paddle
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Depending on who you ask, some may consider it the dog days of summer. Pearl is a literal dog and would disagree with you on that one. As long as the water is still warm enough to swim in, it is summer to her. Based on that logic, there are still several months left to Pearl Summer.
As you should already know by now, Pearl’s favorite activity is swimming. However, she is
not one to pass up the opportunity to get in the canoe and paddle along the Missisquoi River. Recently, Pearl hopped in the canoe for a leisurely float down the river in Westfield.
Learn about Pearl’s trip, how to canoe, and more in this blog post!
Before you head out on the water, there are a few necessary precautions that should be taken. First, decide where you will be going and how you will be getting there. If you will be taking out at a location other than the one you put in at, be sure to arrange transportation back to the put in.
Now that you have figured that out, let someone know where you are going and consider brining a buddy with you. Pearl would appreciate an invite!
Lastly, check the weather to ensure you will not get rained on or be stuck in uncomfortably warm temperatures. Additionally, think about the water levels where you may be heading. If you have been in a period of drought, there may not be enough water for an enjoyable paddle. On the flip side, if there has been a recent rain event, the water could have increased levels of runoff such as animal waste, pesticides, and other chemicals. High waters can often hide hazards under the water that could lead to safety concerns.
Remember to always be wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) and bring plenty of water with you.
It is now time to get out on the water!
Now, if Pearl were a human she would have sat either in the front of the boat, known as the bow or in the back of the boat, known as the stern. The bow persons job is to be the power of the boat and keep an eye out for any obstacles in the river. The job of the stern person is to steer the canoe. For this trip, Pearl opted for sitting in the middle of the boat, sometimes called the princess seat and jumped out of the boat to swim in the water several times.
Looking more at the canoe, the body of the canoe is known as the hull. The left side is called the port side and the right side is called the starboard side. When you are getting into the boat, step in the middle and keep a low center of gravity.
When holding the canoe paddle, keep one hand on the top grip and the other hand on the shaft, closer to the paddle’s blade. The butt end of the paddle will be shaped to fit your palm, while your bottom hand should grasp the shaft thumb side up.
If you are paddling on the left side of the boat, your right hand will be on top of the paddle. If you are paddling on the right side, your left hand will be on top.
There are a few important paddle strokes to know,
Forward Stroke- to move forwards
Draw Stroke- for moving sideways
J Stroke- for steering and keeping a straight line
Reverse Stroke- to move backwards or slowing down
Sweep Stroke- for turning
The more practice you have in the canoe, the better you will be! And remember, the worst thing that can happen is you flip. That is why you always dress for the water temperature rather than the air temperature, and bring a spare change of clothes with you for after the paddle.
This summer paddling day turned out to be a perfect one for Pearl and her friends. The sun was shining and the sky was blue. The water levels offered easy, fun paddling. Pearl got out of the boat several times for some refreshing dips in the water. There were loads of birds in the water, sky, and on shore to keep everyone occupied. A good time was had by all!
Once Pearl and her crew had paddled to their desired end point, they safely got out of the water and loaded the boat back on the truck. Once in the vehicle, she enjoyed plenty of water and snacks. For all the time she has gotten to spend on the river, Pearl leaves each one with a new appreciation and deeper understanding of the Watershed. Each trip in the canoe is different and that is what keeps her coming back for more.
Check out some photos below of Pearl’s day on the water!
There have been people canoeing on the Missisquoi River long before Pearl was.
For over 10,000 years, this region has been called N’dakinna, “our homeland” by the Wôbanakiiak, the People of the Dawnland. A large community made their home at Mazipskoik, the Place of the Flint, where chert near the bay was harvested to make tools. European colonizers mispronounced Wôbanakiiak as Abenaki and Mazipskoik as Missisquoi.
The original name of the river is Wázowategók, which translates as either “the river that turns back” or “the crooked river.” Abenaki paddlers traveled the full length of the river, which first flows north, then arcs toward the south before flowing west to the lake.
It is important to respect the rivers from the people that know about them best.
Learn more about the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi here.
If you would like to go canoeing on the Missisquoi and Trout Rivers, Pearl suggests you check out this map of installed river access points from the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers (UMATR) Wild & Scenic Committee: https://www.umatrvt.org/access-points
Pearl also recommends that you keep an eye out for future MRBA & UMATR on water events by joining their email lists. At the top of each month, you will receive an expertly crafted email letting you know what events each organization is putting on during that particular month. It is a great way to stay in the Missisquoi Watershed loop!
Pearl hopes you get on the water soon and have a safe trip with lots of chances to swim!
