JAMES RAFFIN, former executive director of the Canadian Canoe Museum – http://www.canoemuseum.ca – came up with directions in point form . . .
– to avoid capsizing, bodies should stay low in the hull
– centre of gravity is most important
– stow your paddles, handle ends down, behind the stern seat
– take out the removable centre thwart, if there is one, in the event of a flip
– let your hips roll with the canoe
– keep some body parts visible above the gunwale
– a canoe with nobody in it raises alarm
– only remove your life jacket if you’re a capable swimmer
– black flies and mosquitos are most active around twilight
The Museum was The Peterborough Examiner’s newsmaker of the year for 2017 after successfully convincing the federal, provincial and city governments to donate millions to help erect a new $65-million building. The new museum is expected to open in 2021.
GORDON LIGHTFOOT, a Canadian “icon”, donated a few canoes – including the yellow one that inspired his song ‘Canary Yellow Canoe’. There are 600 canoes in the collection – 100 on display at a time.
Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau (Justin’s father) loved canoeing – especially in the Far North.