Carefully plan and analyze the route, prepare for transportation, meals, and shelter. Wear quick-drying, waterproof clothing and pack rain gear in dry bags. Inspect equipment and check local laws and regulations before embarking on canoe trips.
The first and foremost tip for planning canoe trips is to carefully map out a route and analyze that route to make sure it is within your skill level and your level of readiness for that specific trip. Some rivers will require the paddler to perform a haul, which involves hauling the canoe onto dry land. If your planned canoe trips included transportation, you will need to make some additional preparations beforehand. Map out where these portages occur so all travel members can be prepared for them. If the trip is a multi-day hike, meals and shelter will also need to be planned carefully.
Participants can expect to get wet on canoe trips, so quick-drying, waterproof clothing will need to be purchased and packed. If rain is possible, even if it is not forecast, paddlers should have rain gear on hand and ready to use at all times. It may be a wise decision to pack rain gear and other gear in dry bags to ensure they don’t accidentally get wet while paddling. Paddlers should base their clothing choices on the season and should always have at least one good pair of warm clothes regardless of the season. Canoe trips can be dangerous, so it’s best to be prepared in case someone falls overboard and needs to warm up quickly. Cotton clothing should be avoided, as cotton tends to get wet and stay wet, which means a person will be uncomfortable and cold.
Review and inspect all equipment used on canoe trips in the weeks or days prior to departure. Canoes should be inspected for any damage and bags or other equipment should be inspected for rips or tears that could lead to leaks. Paddles or oars should also be inspected for damage before use. It helps to make a checklist of items that need to be taken on the trip. The paddler should think carefully about how all the equipment will be packed and where it will be stored during the trip.
It is important to check any local laws or regulations regarding canoeing down certain streams. Sometimes parts of the waterways are restricted, meaning paddlers shouldn’t be on the waterways at all. Other areas are only open seasonally; in some cases it may be necessary to obtain permits to navigate the river or camp on its banks. Canoeists will need to research any regulations like these before embarking on canoe trips.
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