Posted by Mike B. on 3/27/2006, 10:18 am
68.14.6.21
There will be a poling clinic on the Natchaug river in Eastern Ct. at Natchaug state forest this saturday, Apr. 01. It is a annual free clinic put on by the A.C.A. If you are interested in learning about poling or would like to give it a try you are encouraged to attend. There will be many long time experienced polers there to give free instruction and we will have many spare poles to give it a try if you'd like. We encourage people with-out the equipment to show, we'll supply the pole's.
Poling is the art of being able to stand-up in the canoe and make your way up river or down using a 14' spruce or aluminum pole. The canoe is usually a 16-17 ft rec. canoe with good initial stability. Poling opens up a whole new world in canoeing. You can park in one location and spend your day going up river then finnish back at your car. No shuttle. You can pole/paddle rivers that are too shallow for normal sit and paddle conditions, which greatly extends your season. The upper body work-out is fantastic too.
Harry Rock is the disputed champion of poling (disputed by Chip Cochrane of Maine) he has won the poling championship 10+ years and is a regular at this clinic. Half the folks there are in thier 50-60's and like to gunk around the beach area. (This event is usually attended by no more than 10-15 people, very low key. There is usually 2-5 folks there giving it a first time try.) Won't you give it a try?
Everyone I know who has tried poling for the first time say's they wish they had done it sooner. It's easyier than you think.
10-11a.m. is when people mosey in.
Myself and another RICKA member will be going out this saturay if you would like to join us.
Mike B. -RICKA member
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