The morning times., 1896-05-31
AMATEUR PADDLERS.
COnOe Racing for Trophies With Sails
and Paddles.
lconvrtghtcd. 1saGl

q
There Is revaruishing Of canoes and
rescrapns OF paddles, Tor tie annual
meet OF TIE Americas Canoe AsSocia-
ion y, soon Ia take place. The association
VIII bc sweet sixteen, and the member
shEp VIII bc thousand strong, with haif
a thousand associate members
Che old Indian practice OF canoeing
wa slowly but surely dying on, when
the bUatmcn of the United states ard
Cenada decided to check the death by
vigorous and practical protest. They
banded together in 1850 upon Like George,
and though only twenty or 50 canoes were
prceeut,it It was meet" and the American
Canoe Association OF the United states ana
Canada was formed.
During the sixteen years Of its existence
the Cab has aimed To hold lis meets at
widely separated places TO give all its
membership clubs a chance to te equally
represented One year upon u central
river, another year upon the coast, and
still another upon the great lakes.
on THE ST. LAWRENCE.
This year the meet will be upon the st.
Lawrence River. The camp VIII he pitched
upon GrindStone, one Of the Thousand
Islands. and for two weeks white tents will
vie with white sails, and the sound OF the
paddle will be heard over all.
Wien canoeing at a canoe meet q man IS
supposed 70 live in a tent. Even upon
Lake George. where gorgeous hotels dotted
the shores. the CanOeiSts were banded by
an unwritten law to live an Indian life.
and each man was made 70 bring his own
tent, pitch it and live in it. His ratiCns are
subject 10 a little more latitude, for lie is
allowed 10 so TO the hotel for his meals if
lie desires but few desire.
In the 81. Lawrence this year there will
be the largest collection OF paddles ever
seen in this country Siuce the days of Pow
iattans triumphal river paradcs. Fully
COO canoes are pledged to be present,
and as there is Il large membership that
has the option Of co ming if time from buSi-
ness permits, it is expected there will he
many more. The CanOeists come from all
parts OF the country. Beginning at the
first day of the August meet they arrive
i'll dozens by train and by water, each
bringing his canoe with him, also a set OF
paddles, some snugly wrapped sails and a
canoeing suit. The suit. by the way, is a
bathing suit, out OF regard to the dipping
il gets.
Ii was intended to hold the meet on Dec
Grafton Day, and notices were sent out IN
canoe circles to this effect. But too many
protests were received. Men could not
get away from the activity OF spring
supplementary meeting on Decoration Day,
and the regular meet in August. But even
this had 10 be abandoned and the entire
asSemblaGe will be in August. The enthu-
sastic canoeistS who wanted to meet early
aud often will gather the st. Lawrence
early in July and remain there through
August.
y very interesting feature of the annual
gathering is tNe presence or u large feminine
contingent. Women are not admitted to
active membership in the club, but they are
allowed associate privileges. According
iy they pitch camp near by. The name OF
THIS campls by common consent, year after
year, 'Squaw Point a i'd here ga ther the
wives, sisters and sweetheartS ofthe ca noe
lists.
SQUAw POINT.
Squaw Point is the prettest feature of
the canoe camp. 1t consists each year OF
fully 200 little white tents pitched side IS
side uron pretty slope OF the island. BY
day the little shore in frrIt is dotted with
the small canoes, and by night, when the
shore is hidden, the tents Eiazc with lam
terms and are gay with music.
Each faf cancer who comes to SQuaw
Point brings her own tent. 1t is rare
thing when two girls bunk together. Each
has her little White cot, her own cooking
utensils and her own assortment of flags
"to DahnerS. over the camp llodt TIE CiuO
colors. and higher yet is the American
flag. The British flag is fastened above
the tents OF the blooming English girls.
BY day the canoe club rows, contests its
cup, makes records and enjoys canoeing
talks By night the long canoes are roint-
ed III the direction OF Squaw Point. and un-
I'll the stars are ready to so to bed there
Is music and laughter from the direction of
the placid squaws. The first day of the
meet an orchestra is formed, nd this must
do duty each night when musical perform
ances are called for.
The work OF the association is not an
idle one. It's mission is to. review canoeing
as fine aquatic sport and to perfect the