If you come upon an overturned canoe and its hapless paddler while out for your morning toodle, fear not. Simply perform a canoe–over–canoe rescue.
1] Position your canoe so the overturned craft meets the centre of your gunwale at a 90–degree angle. Calmly instruct the submerged paddler to push down on the far end of his or her boat, while you carefully lift the other end up and over your gunwale.
2] With the help of your rescuee, haul the canoe across your gunwales amidships until the boats form a cross. (This is easier than it sounds.) Instruct the swimmer to hang on to the bow of your boat, which will help keep it stable while the water drains.
3] Staying low in your boat, flip the canoe right side up and manoeuvre it parallel to your own. (Again, easier than it sounds.) Hold the near side steady while the rescued paddler climbs in on the other. Proceed with picture–perfect cottage morning.
This story originally appeared in our June ’09 issue.
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