dances
Dances tend to be sketched on the spot, and I only have one large group example for downloading in Acrobat Reader format. It’s based in country dance form, which works something like this:
  • start with four pairs facing each other
  • do something with your partner and return to your starting position (A)
  • do something with your partner and the next couple (B to D)
  • do something that gets the head couple to the bottom position while the other three couples slide up a position (E to F)
  • do it again with a new head couple

Using this formula, you can make-your-own social dance using as simple or difficult a set of moves as you might wish.

There are two trio routines available for downloading in Acrobat Reader format, both from the 1999 International Boat Show in Toronto. One is a choreographed Intro to Style Paddling; the other is a free routine entitled First Free Trio.

Every number of canoes brings its own set of possibilities. In general, large groups should be broken into small groups (6=3+3 or 2+2+2; 8=2+2+2+2 or 4+4; 9=3+3+3 and so on).

The most satisfying routines are very compact: compact figures look best, happen fast, and can be, in turn, arranged on the water (e.g. three groups of three canoes with the groups arranged in a triangle).

  • the length of a dance should be geared closely to how long people can bear kneeling
  • it’s usually best to work out a routine on land using, first, cut-out canoes and then by walking through it
  • on water, bash your way through it once and then work out the problems and details
  • do canoe dance in calm weather–wind can make life very very difficult
  • have fun