MWGO hosted a canoe poling class May 1 on the Bear River near its confluence with the Androscoggin River in Newry. We hope this will be an annual event.
Canoe poling is a heritage skill rarely practiced these days; even many Guides are unfamiliar with the practice. But before there were outboard motors it was a common way to transport supplies upriver through fast water and rapids.
Kevin Slater of Mahoosuc Guide Service learned to travel this way many years ago. As part of his early guide training; he was given a canoe, a pole, $20 to buy food and supplies and instructions to paddle up the Allagash and onward until he reached camp—by himself. It took a few days; and in that time, he mastered canoe poling.
Participants learned the basics; how to plant a pole and read the river to perfectly angle the canoe (at least in theory) upstream as well as snubbing down (setting the pole) to catch the eddies and sliding from side to side going downstream. There were a couple spills; a lot of sweat equity and a sense of camaraderie and connection, not just with the participants, but the river too. No one walked away truly competent; but everyone had the knowledge to gain competency by spending a few days on a river with a canoe and pole.
Instructor:
- Kevin Slater, Mahoosuc Guide Service
Participants
- Jonathon Gardner, Willow and Sunset Guide Service
- Tomas Dundzila, Registered Maine Guide
- Cathy Fulkerson, Friend of MWGO
- Jeanne Christie, Connect to Wilderness