March Break paddling in Florida
by David Lewis
Marathon paddling means getting between points A and B in the shortest time possible by paddling. The Nova Scotia Marathon Canoe Association, was the sanctioning body for all things marathon paddling in NS but due to lack of insurance and interest the association wound up in 2015. Their events included multiple classes for recreational canoe and kayak as well as marathon C1 and C2 boats at varying distances up to 24 kms in length. Events were held province wide with most on the Dartmouth lakes, Valley and South Shore waterways. Since then, most of us “old” marathon paddlers still have the equipment and put it to good use touring on our local lakes and rivers. In my locale, we tour lakes like Ponhook, Rossignol, Kejimkujik as well as many tidal bays and inlets. The NSMCA kindly donated any association equipment to the Milton Canoe and Camera Club. If after reading this account, should anyone wish to try the technique and equipment, please reach out.
This account is not a trip in the traditional sense, but never-the-less was an interesting adventure. I attended a training camp this past winter in Florida for marathon paddlers. The camp was situated in Dunnellon, Florida for the month of March. Many Canadian and American marathon paddlers attended. We paddled twice a day, roughly 2 1/2 hours per session. The waterways primarily paddled were the Rainbow and Withlacoochee Rivers with excursions to the Silver River and Silver Lake areas. The waterways are much different than ours with Cypress trees along the banks, many birds, turtles and the occasional alligator.
Paddlers use this camp as early training for races they plan to attend throughout North America. Marathon paddling utilizes a technique called “wash riding” where paddlers are allowed to use the lead boat’s wave to assist with their momentum (much like drafting in cycling). The idea is that everyone takes turns “pulling” the group. Our outings normally consisted of 8-12 boats travelling together as a pack, riding wash. If boats were struggling to “stay on the wave”, a water break was called, the slower boats moved up to the front and the tour began again. In this way everyone got to experience wash riding with many paddling tips exchanged in the process. My wife and I hope to attend future camps.
Marathon paddling has been good to me and my family over the past 35 years. Through racing local, in province events, to attending paddling events across Canada and the US, marathon paddling has proven to introduce us to good, like-minded folks we never would have met and interesting places we never would have chosen to explore.
Dave Lewis
Chairperson, the Milton Canoe and Camera Club
