Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-05-31
CONCERNING CANOEING.
lust the Thing for ts,c Potomac.

To the Editor of TEE EVENING STAR:
Now that the boating season has begun and
the Potomac is dotted daily with pleasure
craft of all Sorts may ! be permitted to oc-
cupy few lines OF your space to say something
oil an aquatic sport that seems to be but little
followed by Westinghouse? 1 refer to canoeing.
In the north and west there are numerous
canoe clubs. and fleets of ten to twenty of these
trim and handsome miniature yachts are fire.
quently seen on the water courses. cruising,
racing and floating together. making pretty
picture with their handsome hulls. white sails
and flashing paddles. The canoes are of
various weights and patterns. according to
the waters where they are used, the ightcst in
weight thus far tipping the beam at 1917 pounds.
This craft, the ''Sairy Camp" was padded
through the Adirondack region of New York
state last summer. where frequent pOrtames
occur. and its extremely light avoirdupois per-
mtted its owner to tuck it under his arm aud
carry it from one lake to another, or around
dams. rapids. etc. Heavier canoes. with ballast,
iron ceHter-5OGrdS and considerable sail area,
are used in open waters where little padding
is necessary, and some of this latter class merit
the name that has been bestowed upOn them of
miniature yachts For the Potomac medium
OF sailable-paddling canoe would be suitable
not so heavy as to be inconyenientiy carried
around the falls and rapids of the upper river
and yet with sufficient weight to be stiff under
sail in the wide waters below Washington.
For clerks, professional and business men who
are confined in an Office or store for many hours
during the day. no sport that know of is half
so heaithful. so ENJOYABLE and so cheap as canoe
ing. The cost and keep are very little. the eX-
ercise is inyigOratH@ without being exhaustive,
and is preferable to rowing because one faces in
the direction the canoe moves. The padder
sits on cushion. having comfortable rest for
his back; the tight decks and ar-ti@ht cOmpart-
meHts in bow and stern make his canoe an I'M
slnkable iife-b0at; within reach of his hand Is a
water-tight locker covered with hatch. for
slowing provisions, blankets. &C., for long
cruise: and if night Overtake him away from an
inhabited country. he has only to haul his
canoe up on the nearest shore. cook his simple
meal over small alcohol lamp or campfire.
spread his cushions and blankets in the bottom
of the boat. rig the sail over the open well be
tween decks for a tent. and beneath it in his
canoe enjoy such a sweet sleep as only such
heathful outdoor recreation can give.
L know many literary workers, cergymen.
bankers merchants and professional men who
spend every summers vacation in this way. and
deri e from il the greatest possible recreation
and strength and number OF them are accom-
panied by their wives, too. who have become
fascinated with the sport and WELD the double
baded paddle in the tandem canoe which is
manufactured especially for cOnnubial-aId
acknowledgements.
There are several canoes in Washington and
many gentlemen. i am sure. who would become
canOe;sts If they knew the charm of the sport.
To the end that we may know one another,
initiate outsiders into canoeing. arrange for
cruising and racing in company. ETC. let us
organize a canoe club. az at the north. Mr..
Arthur BrcntanO. at 18th street and Pennsylya-
Ma avenue. is an old and enthusiastic canoeist
and commodore of the knickerbocker Canoe
club of New York. Let canoeists in the Dis
trct, or those interested III the sport call upon
him. or send their addresses either to him or to
me- at the State DEPARTMENT and DprhnrS Suc-
cesSful Club can be foried Just one thing
more | will whisper. as possible Involvement
to some: Canoeing is t.tt're.,'siy fashionable.
HENRY II SOIIE