Canoeing is a sport that can be intimidating. There are rules about boats, PFD’s, and a lot of flak from experts on how to hold your paddle correctly. But once you know what you’re doing, padding through the BWCAW can be one of the most memorable and influential experiences of your life. To get you started, or “Wet Your Paddle”, Gunflint Trail Outfitters have banded together to offer newbies a chance to try an hour of paddling for free. AND they’ll even give you one of those experts I talked about earlier to teach you how to do it! This program, called Wet Your Paddle, is an incredible deal and a great way to spend a few hours on your annual family vacation learning something new, together! To prepare you for your first Wet Your Paddle adventure, here is some more information on canoeing, the BWCAW, and how to strut your stuff in the backcountry.
WHAT'S THE BWCAW?
The Gunflint Trail is a 57-mile paved highway and National Scenic Byway that starts in Grand Marais, MN. The road ends on the Shore of Saganaga Lake, on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness or BWCAW for short. The BWCAW is made up of over 1,000,000-acres of some of the most breathtaking backcountry you can imagine. It is a pristine example of the boreal forest, a sanctuary for wilderness creatures and those humans among us who aren’t afraid to let a mosquito or two get in the way of our play time. This wilderness area is unique and wonderful in so many ways, but the truly outstanding part about the BWCAW is that there is over 1200 miles of canoe routes. It’s a paddler’s playground.
If you’re interested in learning more about the BWCA, book a stay on the Gunflint June 8th & 9th for the BWCA Expo--two days of speakers, demonstrations and all things canoe country.
HOW DO I HOLD A PADDLE CORRECTLY?
A paddler from in our offices is Executive Director of Visit Cook County, Linda Jurek. She has a few words for us on how to feel like an expert and get ready for your first adventure in a canoe. Here’s her advice:
I once paddled the Boundary Waters with a “newbie” who did not understand the quiet movement of the paddle through the water. Instead the silence was broken with each stroke as she clunked her paddle on the side of the canoe. The correct way to hold a paddle is with your top hand holding a grip on the paddle; placing your fingers on the top of the grip with your thumb wrapped around the shaft. The back of your hand faces you. The other hand should be as close the water with each stroke as possible without getting wet… and by all means, not clunking the side of the canoe!
PFD’S--WHAT'S THE BFD? DO I NEED ONE?
The Answer: yes, wear one. Personal Floatation Devices (PFD’s) are important! No canoer, kayaker, paddle boarder, or fisher-person should be without one. Think of it like you do with the seatbelt in your car--you might be fine without one, buy why take the risk? And in fact, just like wearing your seatbelt, it’s against Minnesota state law to be in a boat without one. Here’s some great info from the DNR on all kinds of PFD’s. Remember that kids under 10 must be wearing their PFD, while adults get a little more slack--PFD’s only must be within reach to meet the requirements of the law…. However, we still recommend that everyone wear one to make sure that their Gunflint Trail adventure is safe and fun. Help us help you ensure your vacation memories don’t involve any of our emergency services.
WET YOUR PADDLE ON THE GUNFLINT TRAIL
The best way to experience the wild beauty of the BWCA is by on the water! For those interested in learning to paddle a canoe, you can "Wet Your Paddle" with an hourly or daily canoe rental at these Gunflint Trail outfitters:
Bearskin Lodge & Wilderness Outfitters
Single Day Rentals
Golden Eagle Lodge
Hourly & Single Day Rentals
Gunflint Lodge
Hourly & Single Day Rentals
Hungry Jack Outfitters
Single Day Rentals
Nor'Wester Lodge & Outfitters
Hourly & Single Day Rentals
Rockwood Lodge & Outfitters
Hourly & Single Day Rentals
Voyageur Canoe Outfitters
Single Day Rentals
