The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1909-08-20
CANOE CAPERS.

CANOE CAPERS.
Water sports, during the past few
years, have come to be among the
chief events" on the holiday pro-
grams of many seaside and yacht
clubs. Some of these sports call for
no small amount of skill and
strength.
The "tilting" on canoes is familiar
to most young folks; but I want to
tell you of some novel 'fstunts" done
by clever member of a lakeside
club, trained canoeist and expert
swimmer. AS every boy knows, or
ought to know, no one, young or old,
has any business in a canoe who is
not a skillful and powerful swimmer,
and quite able to take care of HIM
self in the water under any and all
circumstances.
Moreover, no canoe tricks should
ever be attempted by any one, ex-
cept in comparatively shallow water,
not far from shore; and even then
there should be companions close at
hand, in a boat, ready and alert to
give immediate aid in any emergency.
The canoeist began his tricks by
falling out of the canoe sidewise,
overturning the canoe with him. This
was easy enough, or seemed to be,
although the knack Of falling out
of canoe so that the craft tilts after
you, instead of capsizing in clumsy
fashion, is only acquired by practice.
Next the young man climbed back
into the canoe, after getting it on an
even keel. This was not so easy. 1t
required some skill, lot of agility
and a practical acquaintance with the
eccentricities Of boat Of the light
ness and delicacy of build of canoe.
1t was not difficult to capsize the boat
again in climbing back. If this was
done too many times the performer
was not unlikely to become ex-
hausted For this reason he was
careful not to go too far from the
banks when attempting his aquatic
practice, for it might have been nee
essary to swim ashore, towing the
canoe, to rest for a while before max
ing another attempt. When the diff
fcult knack of righting the canoe,
climbing back again, and falling over
board once more had ben thoroughly
acquired and the wabbly tendencies
of the little craft had been over
come, then the real feat was at
tempted
The feat was to take back flip
from the side of the canoe, holding
the hands on ore side of the boat and
balancing with the feet on the other.
AS the canoeist went over backward
into the water he still retained his
firm hold on the side of the boat with
his hands and kept his feet firmly
planted in the original position.
In this way he went into the water
with the canoe turning with him. At
first it was found essential to COM
fort to release the hold on the canoe
as the water closed over the canoe1st.
1t was sufficient for time to turn
the canoe completely over until it
was resting on the water Immediately
over the head of the performer.
When this lesson had been learned.
then a step further was attempted.
The object to be ultimately gained
was to keep the boat turning, empty
ing it of water during the process,
until it had turned completely over
again to it's original position. 1t will
be seen at once that this feat was not
, an easy one.
The impetus of the first backward
fall went far toward carrying the
| boat into the position where it could
be righted. But the performer had
to be skilful and quick if every ad-
vantage was to be taken of the in
itial start in the direction desired.
When the canoeist came to the sur
| face again he was still clinging to the
side of the boat, pulling that side to-
| ward him and kicking the other side
| toward the place it would assume
when the canoe was once more in
! its right position in the water. AS
the canOeist came up he gave the
/ boat a twist with his shoulder that
emptied the water from it, and then
he turned it on its side with deX-
ferrous twirl that dropped it right
! side up. ready for occupancy once
more. 1t was very skilfully DONE
H. D. Jones, in st. Nicholas.