Canoeing Offers Peace of Mind And Beautiful Scenery

Our canoe is packed and ready to go as I close the belt on my life jacket. The paddle is worn and rough in my hand from all the paddlers who came before me. I sit down in the canoe and feel the woven seat adjust to my weight and shape itself around me.

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All sense of urgency disappears when we push the canoe off the sandy shore into the water to set off for the first night’s campsite. As we paddle, there’s no need or desire to hurry. Blending into the landscape, our canoe glides through the gentle swells, powered by the silent strokes of two paddlers.

Back on the shore, we already decided who would steer the canoe over the water. As I paddle steadily in the bow, my partner at the back changes sides in response to my movements. When I paddle on the right, my partner steers and paddles on the left. When I move my paddle over to the left side, my partner switches to the right in almost perfect unison.

We speak very little while paddling – only chatting leisurely when something essential and interesting comes up. “Did you see that swan or red-necked grebe over there?”, “Should we paddle to the east or west of that island?” or “I wonder what kind of sunset we’ll see at tonight’s campsite?”

Canoeing is a whole new way of enjoying nature and the outdoors at night

There are just as many ways to hike as there are hikers. Canoeing is a form of hiking that gives you new ways to be active in the many lakes, rivers and other waters of Finnish nature.

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Canoeing provides a different kind of peace and enjoyment than what you might experience while walking on trails. Paddling takes you very close to nature and the water surface, simultaneously offering a different perspective on the landscape. Like any other outdoor activity, canoeing puts paddlers at the mercy of the weather. You're also free to decide just how much muscle power to use, choose a sheltered canoeing route or try something more open and challenging as you become more experienced, and you can select the right distance for each part of your trip.

You can learn more about suitable canoeing locations by using the destinations search function on the nationalparks.fi website and choosing canoeing as the activity. The enterprises that offer services and equipment in national parks and hiking areas can also provide information about the canoeing destinations and services available along the routes.

You can plan a canoeing trip based on popular routes and the campsites located along them. If you don’t own a canoe or kayak, you can rent one for a few days and many companies will also transport the kayak/canoe to a suitable starting point or pick it up at the end of your paddling trip.

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Principles of canoeing

Different types of waterways offer a wide variety of challenges for paddlers of all skill levels. Beginners can start by taking a trip of a few hours while more experienced paddlers might want to choose longer routes and spend the night along the way. Not all destinations are inside national parks or hiking areas, and many suitable canoeing routes with serviced rest stops are maintained by municipalities and recreational areas.

The type of water may affect your choice of a kayak or a canoe. A kayak is the best choice for demanding and fast-flowing waters, rapids and open areas that require agility on the part of the paddler. On the other hand, an open canoe is great for paddling in rivers and on lakes when the conditions are less windy.

A kayak or canoe allows you to carry supplies for several nights and there’s no need to consider the weight as you must with a backpack. A two-person canoe also has room for a dog and a child.

When travelling in a kayak or canoe, remember to pack your gear in waterproof bags. In addition to normal hiking and camping gear, you need a paddle, life jacket, bailing device and a rope. A spray skirt is standard equipment for kayakers, and whitewater kayakers also need a helmet. Remember your safety gear, which includes a floating bilge pump, spare paddle and a paddle float.

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Basic hiking skills are also useful when canoeing

When you go canoeing – just like with any other kind of hiking – it’s a good idea to have first aid and orienteering skills. Remember to leave enough time for the trip and stay alert, because the landscape can look different when you’re on the water rather than walking. You need a map and compass in order to navigate when canoeing.

Everyman’s rights and responsibilities also apply to hikers who are travelling by water and camping on land, and you must follow any special rules that apply to specific areas. When canoeing close to beaches where there are residential buildings, you must maintain a distance of at least 50 metres from the shoreline. Using private piers as rest stops is also prohibited.

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You can practice your paddling skills by taking one of the canoeing courses arranged by clubs, outdoor associations, Metsähallitus’ partner enterprises or other nature tourism companies. For safety reasons, it’s important to know the basic canoeing techniques, and these skills are also easy to learn. Practice will help you avoid the risks that are often associated with landing on the shore or paddling in rough water.

Practising your paddling skills and taking a canoeing trip is sure to provide you with some unforgettable nature experiences. You’ll also have a chance to explore landscapes that you would never see when hiking on foot.

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