CANOE JOURNEY BASIC TIPS - And Preparing for the Journey http://community-2.webtv.net/bensuecharles/CANOEINFO/page8.html

Photo submitted by Tom Curley / Suquamish Tribe. GENERALLY SPEAKING... People who are new to the Journey experience may get over anxious... wanting to know every detail of the Journey far ahead of time.... wanting to know exactly where to expect the canoes to be, on what date, and the exact time. Please know that - Canoe schedules and routes generally are not finalized until shortly before the journey begins. Changes in take-off and landing times, and even locations of stops may still occur in mid-journey. This is not unusual. As regular journey particants know... even the best made plans are subject to to change, and can be aided or altered by such things as: the weather, tides, cooperation and support of the Tribes and local communities, availibility of funds, availablity of staff and willing volunteers. This is why plans are more "written in silly-putty" than "carved in stone", so to speak. Anything can happen... and often does. Deciding to be flexible saves wear and tear on yourself and others. In Hawaii the saying is "Just hang loose". This is a good way to define it, and it is a real necessity in attitude for canoe journeys. To participate in a Canoe Journey is to step out of your personal "comfort zone" and enter a world of adventurous happenings. Get ready to be spontaneous, intiuitive. This is not to down-play the importance of preparaton and planning. Because you should prepare for various aspects of the Journey. And we are here to help you do that. -----------------------------------------------------------------

HERE ARE SOME BASIC PREPARATIONS / THINGS TO REMEMBER -

Things you can do to better PREPARE yourself for participating in the Journey - Especially those who will be out on the water - either in canoes on on support boats . . . • Daily take COLD showers or swim in cold water (so, if you fall in you will be used to the icy conditions). • Take class in "Cold Water SAFETY and RESCUE TRAINING" and take First Aid and / or CPR courses from Certified instructors to be prepared to help save a life if that opportunity should come along. (Watch for "Cold Water Training" offered by the Tribes or Canoe Families, or check with local Sheriff's Department, Health Department, or Port Authority on what they may offer.) • Practice getting up EARLY... No sleeping-in till 7 or 8 o'clock. The Canoes usually take-off early to catch the tide (often at 5 or 6 AM, and sometimes as early as 3 AM. • REFRAIN FROM: smoking, drinking, drugs, and other un-healthy, unsafe practices. None of these are permitted on Canoe Journey related activities and events. • Practice listening, and learning. Have a teachable spirit and a humble attitude. No one knows everything. We can all learn from each other. ..........................................................................