Solo Canoeing
WORTH TWP — Despite the words of a popular adage, solo canoeists find teamwork is not always the best means to an end.
Solo canoeing, described as a niche sport by local enthusiast Becky Sheeler, has a growing following both regionally and nationally because of its appeal to individuals.
"In a solo canoe, you are the only one responsible," explained Sheeler, who lives in Slippery Rock.
Sheeler organized the third annual Western Pennsylvania Solo Canoe Rendezvous at Cooper's Lake over the weekend, which attracted dozens of canoeists from around the region.
Sheeler said the solo canoes are generally lighter and more convenient to carry for both men and women. Also, she said, you don't have to find a paddling buddy.
"Solo canoeing has saved some marriages," she joked.
Anita LoVan of Fenelton echoed that message, calling tandem canoes "divorce boats."
"I started canoeing about 25 years ago or so, met Becky, and became fascinated by solo canoeing," LoVan said.
She said not only are the boats different, but the paddles and paddle strokes required also are different.
"They're such lovely boats. Once you learn the proper techniques, it's fairly easy to paddle in any boat. But technique is very important," LoVan said.
Alex Benson, 16, and his father Scott traveled from Medina, N.Y., for the three-day event, which invited solo canoe owners, manufacturers and the paddle-curious to step outside the limits of bulky, aluminum tandem canoes.
"We aren't able, sometimes, to agree where we're going to go, so we hope to remedy that. Plus, these boats are much smaller, lighter and more maneuverable," Alex Benson said.
He said solo canoeing would give he and his father the chance to separately explore different, narrower parts of the Adirondack Mountain waterways.
"We've never paddled a solo before, and it really is different from tandem, so we came here to learn how," Scott Benson said.
"A big aluminum boat — it's much tougher to change direction, and small movements don't do much. Every single thing you do in a solo canoe affects the boat — a lot."
And good technique in open, solo canoes is rewarded in whitewater and freestyle paddling competitions.
Marc Ornstein of Honeoye Falls, N.Y., is the gold medalist in the National Interpretive Freestyle Competition held annually by the American Canoe Association"Freestyle solo canoeing, in general, is a body of techniques we use to achieve precision and efficient control of the canoe," he said."Interpretive freestyle uses the freestyle techniques to paddle a program in the canoe synchronized to music, not unlike figure skating."But for Ornstein, the draw of the sport is more than just the pursuit of perfection."It's a wonderful group of people that seem to be involved, but I also like the precision and grace of this style of paddling," he said.Sheeler said the weekend's event was intended to introduce new people to the sport and its patrons, as well as show them the different equipment."A solo boat has to fit you like a shoe, and you can try more boats here than at any shop," she said."These are not muscle boats. It's all about technique. Solo canoeing is a niche. Even shops that sell solo canoes — and many don't — may not know a lot about the sport."To learn more about the event and the sport, visit www.WPASCR.org or www.americancanoe.org.
