Whitewater Downriver Boater-Cross in Wausau Wisconsin.  Open canoeist takes third in a very close race.
Whitewater canoeing at the Wausau Whitewater Park.
Hard Water Sports

Whitewater canoeing Minnesota's Vermillion River

Open canoe in the Vermillion River, Minnesota.  Short video of triple drop rapids, the Verm is the local fun run for Minneapolis-St Paul whitewater paddlers.

Whitewater canoeing, surfing the Verm.  Early spring photo.

Canoe surfing the Vermillion River, Minnesota

http://hardwatersports.com/

Providing the training,

the inspiration,

and the equipment for your next adventure.

Hard Water Sports

Minnesota Whitewater

Minnesota Whitewater Canoeing

Hard Water Sports is the source for whitewater canoeing in Minnesota.  Whitewater canoe rental, and training to get paddlers off the flat water.

The above photo is of canoeist Scott McKell surfing railroad hole on the Vermillion River in Hastings Minnesota.

Open Canoeing - I Believe...

“Everyone must believe in something. I believe I'll go canoeing.”

Henry David Thoreau

Photo credit to Jack Kukowski, canoeist on the Montreal River, on the Wisconsin - U.P. boarder.

Photo credit to Jack Kukowski, canoeist on the Montresa

Wasted Soul

“If you don't take risks, you'll have a wasted soul.” 

Drew Barrymore

The Northern Open Canoe Access Project can provide you with the training, the inspiration, and the equipment, to get you running whitewater rivers in an open canoe .  

 Get the Right Equipment. 

• Helmet, 
• Lifejacket, 
• Cold Weather Clothing

Learn the Fundamentals of the Sport

• Stokes, 
• Eddy-outs, 
• River Ferrying, 

and you will greatly reduce the risk in the sport.

whitewater paddling gear

Are you wasting your soul? or are you ready for some adventure?

Open Canoe Stuck in a Whitewater River

Paddling down the Vermillion River at an estimated 800 cfs sure sounded like a good idea.  At high water this hole gets pretty sticky.  I found this out the hard way coming into the rapid without giving the  obstacle the respect it needed.  

The Fluffy Bunny gabbed my canoe and gave me a quick window shade.  My canoe and I were locked in the big white paws and the ride started. 

I held on as long as I could, low bracing and trying to stoke out of the hole.  Abandoned, stuck in the middle of the river, the Mohawk Probe kept hanging on. And on, And on,

With the help of other paddlers we were able to bridge out into the river far enough for a final leap to grab a bow line.

It's good to have friends on the river.

Have the right gear for the adventure, when whitewater canoeing alway wear a helmet and lifejacket.
Dress to stay warm and comfortable -
Carry a throw rope, you'll use more then you think.
First Aid Kit - how far from the car are you? how far from the nearest hospital?

Hard Water Sports get the gear for your next adventure.  Get some adventure in your life.

The Northern Open Canoe Access Project aims to connect flat water paddlers with...

the Training - the Inspiration - and the Equipment

to get you on the whitewater rivers.

Adventure Gear get it here.

Open Canoe Pin on Duncan Creek, WI

Canoe Pin and Rescue

Mankato Dave's footage from a spring run on Duncan Creek.
Nice ending of a canoe pin and rescue.

You will notice that Dave is equipped with a helmet and a lifejacket.  His canoe has float bags in it, this prevents the boat from filling completely with water.  Dressed in a dry suit, Dave came away from the swim and boat pin just fine.

Also note that Dave is boating with a group of experienced paddlers.

Have the right gear, get trained, go have an adventure.