Boarding a Canoe From a Shoreline

Place the canoe in the water with its stern touching the bank.

• With one paddler:
  • Hold onto the gunwales on both sides of the stern.
  • Place one foot in the boat.
  • Push away from shore with the other foot.
  • Climb aboard as the boat slides out into the water.
  • Walk down the boat’s centerline to your seat. Keep your center of gravity low as you walk, and continue to hold onto the gunwales.
• With two paddlers:
  • The stern paddler steadies the boat by holding the stern between his or her legs.
  • The bow paddler steps into the boat, walks down the middle of the boat, and sits on the bow seat. Be sure to hold onto the gunwales.
  • The stern paddler holds onto the gunwales, places one foot in the boat, pushes away from shore with the other foot, and climbs aboard.