The bow of the canoe clears the tree trunk, a massive wing of bark, and I drawstroke to hug the tree more closely. The swampy water is stained the color of tea, and overhead loom the canopies of thousand-year-old cypresses that have never seen a saw. I’ve been canoeing North Carolina’s Black River for nearly 30 years. It’s my favorite place to paddle and never fails to underscore the merits of this ancient boat, especially in the summer. I can load it with a 50-quart cooler packed with beer and steaks, a burden no kayak will swallow; paddle with a buddy or go it alone; stand up and cast or stretch out for a snooze. Hybrid watercraft and standup paddleboards just can’t compete.
The Adventurer’s Guide to the Catskills
Read article
Practicality drives my choice, but I also enjoy knowing that in dugout canoes, not terribly different from my own, the Tuscarora and other native people first navigated these swamps. And with similar crafts Lewis and Clark headed west into the unknown, further testament to their simple, effective design. Paddling a canoe requires practice, to be sure. But it’ll teach you how to move with balance in an unbalanced world. This article is part of our Summer School series, a comprehensive guide to acing the year’s best season.
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
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The bow of the canoe clears the tree trunk, a massive wing of bark, and I drawstroke to hug the tree more closely. The swampy water is stained the color of tea, and overhead loom the canopies of thousand-year-old cypresses that have never seen a saw.
I’ve been canoeing North Carolina’s Black River for nearly 30 years. It’s my favorite place to paddle and never fails to underscore the merits of this ancient boat, especially in the summer. I can load it with a 50-quart cooler packed with beer and steaks, a burden no kayak will swallow; paddle with a buddy or go it alone; stand up and cast or stretch out for a snooze. Hybrid watercraft and standup paddleboards just can’t compete.
The Adventurer’s Guide to the Catskills
Read article
Practicality drives my choice, but I also enjoy knowing that in dugout canoes, not terribly different from my own, the Tuscarora and other native people first navigated these swamps. And with similar crafts Lewis and Clark headed west into the unknown, further testament to their simple, effective design. Paddling a canoe requires practice, to be sure. But it’ll teach you how to move with balance in an unbalanced world.
The Adventurer’s Guide to the Catskills
Read article
The Adventurer’s Guide to the Catskills
This article is part of our Summer School series, a comprehensive guide to acing the year’s best season.
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
More News
Famed Yosemite Climber Zach Milligan Dies After Ice Climbing Fall
Skiing in Japan Is Back Again—and the Powder Was Worth the Wait
10 Winter Hikes to Keep You Trailblazing All Year Round
The North Face Introduces Athlete Development Program
Ocean Rower Fiann Paul Completes Most Grueling Expedition
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