Canoeing, The Simple Life
Canoeing is a fun activity for you, your family and your friends. There are many benefits from taking up the hobby. The canoe itself is relatively cheaper than other hobbies or sports. All you need is to master canoe strokes, which aren't that hard to do. And more importantly, you don't need to go far since there are many places within the country that are suitable for canoeing.
The great thing about the canoe is that you won't need a trailer or a speed boat to enjoy the sport. All you need is a canoe, a paddle, a life jacket and a mode of transportation that will bring you to the nearest river or lake.
Once you get hooked, you'll find yourself spending lots of your time going over books, reading magazines and catalogues about canoeing. You start to look at the canoes available in the local sports or hobby shop.
You begin to look online for the best places to go and the best packages available for a canoe adventure with you and your friends. Don't be overexcited, though and definitely don't go overboard. Calm down and start small.
Since you're a beginner, you will need to buy a canoe. Experts recommend that for your first canoe you can either buy the tough plastic kind or if you have some cash to spare and if its available locally, the aluminum-model.
A canoe that is anywhere from 15 to 17 feet long would be fine. Even though all canoes are essentially made of the same parts, there are some things that you might want to remember when buying a canoe.
As a beginner, you should avoid getting the models that have a deep keel. The keel refers to the ridge running down the length of the boat's hull. This generally helps keep the boat going straight. The Grumman aluminum and Coleman plastic canoes have small keels and they are more often than not available in most sports and hobby stores. Also, choose a hull that is smooth to allow easy turning. You will learn to master the paddling skills as you keep practicing.
Don't forget to buy a good pair of canoe paddles. Don't hassle yourself with the different types of paddles. All you need for now is the standard type which can be used on either a lake or white water. Makes sure that you measure the paddle in proportion to your size. In a standing position, put the paddle beside you. If you find the grip of the paddle reaches somewhere between your chin and your nose, get that one.
Life jackets are very important as well. Never go canoeing without one. Safety first.
