Canadian canoe

A Canadian (also Canadian ) is a mostly open canoe is sitting or kneeling down and moved with holly paddling. Originally it was used by the North American Indians as a means of transportation in the densely wooded and rugged areas of North America, later the voyageurs used these boats for the purpose of the fur trade to tackle long distances with a lot of luggage.

Canadians and kayaks are the two major subgroups of canoes.

In the English-speaking areas of the U.S. and Canada, Canadians are called canoe (also open canoe ). The homonymous transfer of canoe to canoe (downy friend) has meant that the German language occasionally erroneously between " canoe " (actually the generic term ) and " kayak " is differentiated, although the former is meant by a " Canadian ".

Materials and construction methods

Canadians were initially sewn by Native Americans from birch bark, built later in " Wood and Canvas " construction made ​​of wood with impregnated canvas covered. Today, wood is also used in the form of waterproof glue plywood for inexpensive homemade Canadians. After the end of World War II countless Canadians were made of aluminum, which are still produced by individual manufacturers today. Meanwhile, plastic has prevailed in different variants as the dominant material, but could completely displace any of the other materials. The choice of the material is influenced by aspects of durability, aesthetics, and weight.

In addition to these boats in fixed construction there are also folding canoes and inflatable canoe.

Canadians are generally symmetrically built open boats with two pointed ends. "Front" and "Rear" is not defined by the form, but only by the position of seats: The rear seat is closer to the rear boot tip, than the front seat at the front tip.

Unbalanced Canadians are strongly influenced by the intended use. The asymmetry may exist in different high peaks, or in a displaced forward or backward position of the largest fuselage width. Some canoes have an engine at the rear mirror.

Canadians (called " Kiel jump" ) without curvature of the keel line, or even with fully molded keel have a pronounced directional stability and are therefore more suitable for open waters. Those having greater Kiel jump are more agile and are preferably used in rivers up to the white water.

Traditionally, Canadians are equipped with benches. Whitewater boats have on the keel line fastened seat blocks, so-called "saddle". The seat belt loops have side front, back by transverse stretcher. The paddler sits down astride the saddle, put his knees into the loops and is supported with the toes on the foot stretcher. So he can cling in the boat and make a narrow boat contact. In capsizes which enables the skilled paddlers capsize a role similar to the Eskimo roll. If necessary, the paddler can quickly and easily from Canadians by taking his feet off the stretcher and slide rearward out of the loops.

Canadians with whom Freestyle or Canadian style practices have often absolutely no built-in seat as Sit'n'switch is the technique referred to forge ahead with the marathon paddlers with frequent page breaks their boat quickly.

Parts of a Canadian

Some Canadians, eg for portages, a centrally placed yoke. The yoke is usually permanently installed as a thwart. In some cases there are also removable Tragejoche to optimally arrange the seat with solo Canadians to the boat center of gravity can. With Tumplines as additional equipment can be transferred much of the weight from the shoulders of the Canadian to the forehead of the wearer.

Traditional use

Hiking Canadians are frequently used for a canoe trip on lakes or calm rivers. They take quite a lot of luggage and can - depending on the design - hold several people. Therefore, they are often used by families. In addition, there are Canadians in solo construction, which are paddled by one person. Different paddle paddling techniques enable without page breaks while avoiding the yaw of the boat or the fast page changes after a few strokes of the paddle ( sit'n'switch technique).

Canadians are preferred slightly built to allow bypassing of rapids and other obstacles by means of portages over portages. Canadians are characterized by a low draft from, in this way the boat is very maneuverable and can also navigate shallow waters. A broad construction in the center of the boat capsizing a high reliability is achieved.

The forerunner of today's Canadians were used by the Indians of North America for transportation, hunting and fishing. They could accommodate large loads and so supported the nomadic lifestyle of their inventors. Classic Canadians of Native Americans were up to 10 meters long. These great Canadians were also used to transport goods and animals. Canadians travel could even be sailed. The Canadians of the voyageurs were partly even longer. Some of these canoes was could also be shared to better overland transport.

Canadians have traditionally moved in a kneeling position with holly paddling forward. Today's recreational hiking Canadians paddled often sitting. From New England, the technique of Canoe - Poling, when Canadians while standing with a Stakstange usually comes upriver like a punt be advanced. So-called " Pack - Canoes " are driven deep in the boat sitting as kayaks with double paddle. They are comparatively small and extremely lightweight, so with them narrow waterways can also be navigated.

The classical Canadians are upwardly open canoes, with plenty of space for luggage and people. Other designs are also available in closed form, in particular for the white water. Whitewater Canadians or Canadians traveling to fast flowing waters are usually equipped with inflatable floats, ensuring a high floating of a capsized boat.

Competitive sport

The Canadian is a sports equipment in a canoe racing, canoe slalom, freestyle canoeing, canoe marathon and rough waters. Dragon boats and rafts of basic technique reciprocated as Canadians and also included in this category in some cases. The first two disciplines are olympic, in all these divisions there are German Championships and World Championships.

The Canadian canoe racing are light and only difficult to control and exercise equipment. A One (C1) is long and wide about 40 cm to 5.20 m and just simply offers space to kneel in it. The typical posture in the boat is a position in which the front leg is placed in the boat and kneeling with the back in the boat. The boat is powered on only one side with a blade ( blade paddle ). Is controlled by the " tax shock " called screwing the sheet at the end of the " shock " ( the Drag, along guiding the sheet on the boat is so named ). In two (C2 ), four (C4) and eighth (C8) Paddling typically each half of the athlete on the right and the left.

The German Canoe Association decided in 1920 a classification of the canoes in kayaks ( "K ") and " Canadian " ( " C"). This subdivision is as valid today and the main reason that in the competition disciplines the spelling has prevailed with "C".

By 2010, the Canadian competitive sport was in Europe ( with the exception of the C2 -mixed canoe slalom and white water racing ), in contrast to North America, only a man's. Meanwhile recognized by the ICF ( International Canoe Federation ), have since been carried out competitions for women in the Canadian disciplines.

Recreational Sports

Especially in Germany, where the hiking trip on rivers ( canoe hiking sport) has a long tradition of Canadians is a popular hiking and recreational boat for families. Today's hiking Canadians are designed for touring on lakes or rivers quieter with luggage and with several people. There are also boats that are suitable for fast flowing water and even whitewater ( class IV ). The entry in this great sport is usually done individually or in the club.

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