Canoeing tips
How you pack the canoe
Pack your things in watertight bags/containers. This applies most importantly to clothes and sleeping bags. Place heavy baggage near the middle of the canoe, and you should normally aim to balance the weight equally fore and aft. Baggage can be moved backwards or forwards in the canoe to compensate for a difference in weight between paddlers (for example between adults and children) or to make it easier to steer the canoe in windy conditions. A canoe that is heavy at the front will turn up towards the wind, while one heavy towards the back will turn away from the wind. Secure baggage with a rope. Tie one end of the rope to one of the canoe’s struts. Feed the other end through the handles of pack barrels, bags, etc, and tie off to the last item of equipment.
Getting in and out of the canoe
When you want to sit in the canoe, you should always have your centre of gravity above the middle line of the canoe. Hold the paddle in one hand. Lean over the canoe and take hold of the railing with one hand on either side. Put one foot into the middle of the canoe and then follow with the other foot. The opposite applies when getting out.
Paddling technique
Always try to make your paddle strokes at the same time fore and aft, each person paddling on a different side of the canoe. This is the most effective way and gives the best balance in the canoe. One hand is held up on the handle and the other near the blade. Dip the whole paddle perpendicularly into the water and use the torso and back muscles, rotating the body with the stroke. Try not to paddle using only your arms. You can steer the canoe from both the fore and aft, but mostly the person sitting aft will do the steering. There are three basic paddle strokes for turning left and right (and therefore to also hold a straight course) and go sideways. It is good to learn those strokes.
Bivouac or tent?
As an alternative to sleeping in a tent, maybe you want to try to build a canoe bivouac? Flip the canoe over and use a tarp, ropes, paddles, or small logs to create a cozy, sheltered space for the night. Just be sure to have some kind of mosquito net as well. If you take a canoe tour with Vildmark i Värmland, you’ll receive comprehensive training beforehand on staying in nature, safety protocols, and proper paddling techniques. This will help ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience. Regardless of how you choose to spend the night – in a tent, bivouac, or other arrangement – you’ll need to be mindful of the Swedish public access rights (Allemansrätten).