Love the Buffalo National River in Arkansas? Welcome to our channel, which is about all things Buffalo River, particularly the gorgeous upper river headwaters' area near Ponca. Our videos will help acquaint you with interesting or important things to know about the river, as well as help you improve your paddling skills and acquaint you with our resort. Just needing a Buffalo River video hug? We're thrilled you're here for that, too!
While perhaps not the smooth riverstones of Colorado's rivers, we have sort of a combination of "styles"...underwater shoals of small gravel also help ease the "chalkboard" effect!
Once you're in the canoe and away, learn the low brace that's all you need to learn to stay in. Grabbing the gunnels and leaning in any direction equals swimming.
@@rhondamills8118 I have become an older man - but am out in nature a lot. I don't know much how to canoe in a good way - but I want to try and learn. I only have experience with packraft.
There's a further hidden reason behind the kneeling posture relative to the sitting position. Oddly it refers to how we cope when we slip on wet grass or mud. When we notice that we are suddenly wobbling and our weight isn't being nicely held up by our lower body (usually while walking) we instinctively have a reflex of driving our heels into the ground to try and regain traction and control. If we are sitting in our canoe with feet on the ground, our instinctive reaction to that wobbling of the canoe is again to drive our feet into the "ground", or in this case the canoe that's wobbled beneath us. We push that canoe with all our might from beneath us, and almost jump out of the canoe! If instead we have Kneeled down with legs tucked under the seat, we simply can't jump! So we can't push the boat away from beneath us. All hands saved! It we also slightly spread our knees we also get a solid A frame position that keeps our body weight over the boats centre line further improving balance and control. Summary: Kneeling works!
We're delighted you found Mike's tips helpful, Jerry! We continue to grow our RU-vid channel with helpful paddling videos, including one featuring Mike on how to keep your canoe straight in the water as you paddle. Thank you so much for the thumb's up and encouraging feedback on this video! :)
And you don't have to stay in one position the whole trip; sit on the seat while in calm water, kneel to spread your connection with the canoe in fast water, and stand when you want to see what is ahead better. I spend more time standing in the canoe than sitting or kneeling! Part time standing on the gunnels.
Most tip overs I see, when people are entering the canoe, are caused by having the end of the canoe on the bank. Only get into a canoe that is floating.
We strongly advise being able to swim, Margie...even the most experienced paddler sometimes goes over and needs to be able to self-rescue. And, even if you're a great swimmer, be sure to wear that PFD anyway! :)
@@BuffaloOutdoorCenter I’m not a swimmer I can only swim where I can reach the bottom of the pool. Maybe it’s not for me 🥺 Thank You Have a blessed day
Hey great video and good tips! I have my first canoe on its way, and in the mean time I'm shopping for a good PFD. I like the vest Mike is wearing here, could anyone tell me what it is?
Great video! I just ordered my first canoe and I can't wait for it to be delivered. I'm looking for PFDs and I like the one that you are wearing here. Do you mind me asking which vest it is?
Michael, you might check out the American Canoe Association's Paddle TV's RU-vid episode "How to Develop Good Technique for Paddling a Canoe" at this link: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5eLJ0d7TDS4.html At minute 1:00, the case for kneeling is presented. While position in the canoe is always a personal preference or judgement call, in our video Mike is sharing what has worked best for him over 50 years of paddling experience.
Jared, you might check out the American Canoe Association's Paddle TV's RU-vid episode "How to Develop Good Technique for Paddling a Canoe" at this link: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5eLJ0d7TDS4.html At minute 1:00, the case for kneeling is presented. While position in the canoe is always a personal preference or judgement call, in our video Mike is sharing what has worked best for him over 50 years of paddling experience.
Canoes are ridiculous. I'd ride down that river in an inner tube before I get into a canoe. You can't enjoy yourself and have a nice, relaxing ride.... you literally can't turn around and scratch your ass without capsizing the thing.
Unfortunately, Brock, most of the upper Buffalo River has too many obstacles for tubing. One can, however, usually tube between the Ozark access and the Pruitt Landing, north of Jasper, AR on Hwy 7.
