Do men, women and canoes mix?

[commando1854]

WOW. I am amazed to find this conversation going on in 2007. There are some valid points all around. My ex. was pretty d**ned good with a paddle and not to shabby on a portage. (and trust me on this..I don't exactly fall all over myself to praise her). My current lady is learning much faster than most guys I have known ever could. I enjoy few things more than canoe trips with the romantic interest in my life. Frankly, past loves, and present; if the lady wasn't reasonably good at canoeing/wilderness camping/small boat sailing etc. then we probably wouldn't ever have gotten beyond the "just friends" stage.
That having been said, if it's a trip with some of the chauvinistic, beer swilling pigs who make up at least a portion of my buddies, (God love 'em), then I wouldn't want the ladies around. Not that I wouldn't appreciate their company. Just that I wouldn't want to subject them to that. I do agree with those who have posted saying that they don't enjoy being on the water with drunk people. Around camp beer is great; God only knows that I have in my years consumed at least a small lakes worth of beer, and a pond's worth of scotch; just that there are times when it is best not to subject the ladies to our baser side.
As a related aside; one at least alluded to by a couple of posters; guys, girls, drinking or sober, anyone who leaves garbage around is a redneck a%$hole. Gender isn't part of that.

[riverrat]

I would rather be on the river with my lady, I enjoy her company and she is great in a boat. Also nice to have someone to snuggle with at night....As far as lady only trips, I used to be a guide on the Miramichi, while the guest was fishing, I would wander around and enjoy the view. One day I noticed a few canoes coming down the river, they all looked like they only had one person in each....But...they all had two, and all lady's, the ones in front were getting a suntan, all over, and they were having a little to drink as well. So as to all lady trips being as bad as all guy, my opinon is yep..they sure are...

But have to give them credit, when they seen us on shore, they did get dressed and also stoped for a visit. my guest loved it, and on the garbage side, they did ask if we would mind taking theirs as it would give them more room on the boats...each boat had a bag in it.

sometimes I really do miss being a guide...lol

[beevar]

So it seems the opinions are that it depends on the situation. I liked the part about "beer swilling pigs" very true.
Ladies need to be with the right guys for canoeing and vice versa I guess.
B

[Jamie]

We meet a few paddlers on the weekend, one pair was running an Appalachian tandum. The "best" show I've ever seen of effortless, skilled paddling. Moon and ..... sorry I forget. Memory washed away in the falls . Both of them were ladies.

Skill is skill guys or gals.

I don't have skill, I do what i do for the excitement of it. Make a mistake, learn from it and move on.

Jamie

[beevar]

So I guess the short answer to this one is yes, based on the responses....after all is said enjoyment of the river in whatever way works for you (without harm to others or nature) is the ideal....