Maine Outdoor Journal

Paddling pal Cherie Perkins and I joined another 130 enthusiasts for lessons and demos at the Maine Canoe Symposium, held this past weekend at Camp Winona in Bridgton. The high point for Cherie was a poling lesson, where she learned that it's sometimes quite all right to stand up in a canoe. Cherie attended the women-only clinic conducted by Lisa DeHart, a Registered Maine Guide who leads wilderness canoe trips for Wilds of Maine. Cherie Perkins wasn't feeling too steady in her clinic in canoe poling on Saturday -- but she managed a big smile anyway. SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO Saturday's women-only poling lesson was one of the most popular events at the Maine Canoe Symposium held this past weekend in Bridgton. SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO The symposium, which has been held every year since 1986, has been a life-changing experience for some people. In 1991, Shawn Burke watched a demo of marathon flatwater racing. After giving it a try, became hooked on the arcane sport -- and recently competed in a 70-mile race. Now he returns to the symposium to give lessons and inspire others. Shawn Burke, a marathon canoe racer, conducts a clinic in power strokes using an exercise machine that simulates paddling. SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO Other lessons and demos were conducted Saturday and yesterday at half a dozen different waterfront locations plus a number of camp buildings. Lessons, demos and skill-building sessions were held all day Saturday plus Sunday morning at the Maine Canoe Symposium in Bridgton. SCOTT ANDREWS PHOTO I chatted about children's programming with Buzz Butler, a member of the symposium's steering committee. "We're very family-oriented," he commented, pointing out that 16 kids (children of adult registrants) were attending. Buzz described a paddling session for the kids, plus onging activities that included learning about animal tracks, a nature walk and a Voyageur Competition. And axe-throwing. Yup. A necessary survival skill back in Voyageur days. Bet they don't teach that skill in schools nowadays. A kids campfire wrapped up Saturday's activities. Saturday marked the first time either Cherie or I had attended the symposium, but we've already marked next year's dates on our calendars: June 5-7, 2009.