Basic canoe signals...

Some of the basic canoe signals that are used.





DIRECTION - point in preferred direction [run left, run right]
- NEVER POINT TO THE OBSTACLE YOU WISH TO AVOID

STOP - paddle may be held still or moved up and down.
WHISTLE BLAST - signal may be accompanied by one long whistle blast

HELP/EMERGENCY - paddle is twirled above the head with blade well seen
WHISTLE BLAST - signal must be accompanied by three long whistle blasts

DON'T FORGET IN ONTARIO
You must have an approved life jacket, [don't forget to wear it], carry a whistle, have at least 3 meters [about 10 feet] of tow line on the front and the back of the canoe, a bailing can, a life line throw rope.
And strongly recommended if you are tripping - a posted float plan [for emergencies, like I had last summer.]

ALWAYS CHECK YOUR JURISDICTION

In Canada it is the Department of Transport [Transport Canada] that governs water ways.
A great source for Ontario residents is ORCA [ Ontario Recreation Canoeing Association] and there are similar organizations in other provinces, states and jurisdictions.

WATCH FOR "Three minutes and forty seconds..." [of canoe country] coming your way sometime in August.

 

Most of these signals would be used by a group - usually more than three canoes. No matter how well we plan there are stragglers much the same as when you have a lot of people on a hike. When there are just two of you screaming and yelling will do.

I was hoping that people might have thought the emoticon was sort of, maybe...possibly... a moose?