
mdc4.mdc.mo.gov Go to our website for more Handy Hints info. Every canoeist manages now and then to swamp a canoe, so it's important that you know what to do. In fact, it's best if you intentionally swamp your canoe in calm water and practice the techniques you'll need. That's what I've done here. (yeah, stick to that story, dad!) hey! I don't need your help! Well, actually, I do. Since even a canoe full of water will float, stay with it. You'll be safer and more visible to other boaters. If it's upright, swim it to shore. If the canoe is upside down and you're in flat or slow-moving water you can stand in, raise one end of the canoe to the water's surface. Push down on the opposite end while lifting one gunwale to break the water's suction. Lift the canoe clear of the water, let it drain a few seconds, then roll it upright and guide it to shore. You can re-enter a canoe in deep water, but you will need to practice this. Place your hands on both gunwales (gunnel), near the wide section of the canoe, or in the middle of the bottom, depending on your arm length and strength. Pressing down with both hands and using a strong kick, lift your body upwards until the hips are across the nearest gunwale. Roll onto your back and sit in the bottom of the canoe before bringing your legs in...then use your paddles or hands to propel yourself to shore. If you swamp in swift current, get to the upstream side of the canoe, grab the end nearest the safest shore. Then staying upstream of <b>...</b>
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