Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-26
S1uNsdRE ISLAND

a strong showing will be made as soon
as the weather becomes more setueo-
The loft OF the club 10 filled with canoes
and space is at a premium. Hulis are De-
shells otherwise prepored for the coming
season The house 10 q two-story frame
building covered with shingles situateo
on the canal bank right on the river nne;
The upper story 10 reserved Ioe eocia.
purposes while the first story is given
over entirely to the use OF storing ca
noes. Possibly in the netghbcFhood OF
eighty canoes Will touch the water from
this place this spring.
Most Of the members OF this club nave
little huts on the Virginia bank oppoate,
where they 60 to spend the day and take
the ir meals in the open. These auxuiary
clubs are composed OF from four TO nVe
members. but the canoes are snSue1eo
in the clubhouse near the or.oge Al Inc
close OF day.
In addition to the number OF small CLUBS
there are perhaps a hundred canoeists
who keep individual boats In the puouo
lighthouses below the bridge. Hepo,s
from there state that nearly all o. tne
canoes have been freshly painted ana
prepared for summer use.
On the upper river all clubs are prepar-
ing for the season. There are Few
camps that have not been completed out
the unfinished state Of the house does
not It seems. seriously interfere with the
snort of canoeing. Sunday particularly
the greatest activity IL In progress. ram,
mers are heard ringing out their tunesu!
song in utter disregard OF the quietu1e or
the day, and an occasional shout VIII be
heard from the canoe.sts along the river
Canoe Battles in Regatta.
The real activity. however. VIII not be-
gin until just before the May regatta
when scores of canoes will be At work
along the river. But some Of the canoe
lists are even now getting into trim. and
it is expected when the meet Is called that
one of the hardest battles in local canoe
annals will be fought out on the upper
river:
The endurance tests that are sometimes
undergone by the canoeists in prepare
| ton for the meet shows the rigid training
that they are subject to. The test includes
| trips in the smooth waters of the canal
and shooting the rapids in the Potomac
Some of the stunts" pulled on test the
strength as well as the courage OF the
participants. Preparations are also being
made by a number OF the clubs for their
annual cruise up the canal In the direction
| of Harpers Ferry. Some of the canoeists
say that at least four clubs will start out
| In the early part of July from Sycamore
Island on a two weeks vacation up the
canal 1t is understood that the tentative
plans include straight canoeing up the
canal for one week, after which time the
return trip will be made in record-break-
| ing time. Full equipment for two weeks
will be carried by each canoe for two
men. and the test Is not only to be one
of endurance. but of skillful canoe hand
| ling as we'll.
| All told there will be about $50 canoes
plying their graceful lines up and down
| the river this summer from the regularly
Incorporated canoe clubs. When to this
total is added the great number In the
semi-public lighthouses that are kept BY
| individuals il would seem that this season
| will be started with a greater number or
enthusiasts than ever before. Merchants
of this city who handle this stock are
getting in their supplies. and to judge
| from the large shipments that are ar
irving one would think that the ''old Po-
tomac" will be fairly alive with pleasure
seekers when the spring season fully
opens