On Saturday 20th July 2013, Woodlore’s first ever Birch Bark Canoe Building course concluded with the launching of the group’s very own hand-built craft. Made entirely of natural materials and using traditional tools and techniques, the finished canoe was truly a sight to behold as it was paddled out onto the lake at our East Sussex course site.

Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 7 (Part 2)

Following a week of long days, hard physical work and a rare British heatwave, the students’ efforts were rewarded as their one-of-a-kind canoe was navigated gracefully across the calm waters.

Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 7 (Part 2)

Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 7 (Part 2)

Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 7 (Part 2)

Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 7 (Part 2)

Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 7 (Part 2)

With Ray Mears, Pinock Smith and Lars Falt all in attendance, this was a course which reunited old friends and no doubt created many new ones among the group. Taking place 30 years after Ray first founded Woodlore, and almost a decade since he and Pinock filmed the legendary Birch Bark Canoe episode of Bushcraft Survival, this course was truly a celebration of what can be achieved with little more than the earth’s natural materials and the right knowledge. We would like to congratulate everyone involved for their fantastic accomplishment.

Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 7 (Part 2)

Due to the overwhelming success of this course, we are delighted to announce that a second Birch Bark Canoe Building course will take place in 2014, allowing others to join Pinock Smith and Ray Mears in experiencing this wonderful project. If you would like to take part, please take a look at our Birch Bark Canoe Building Course with Pinock Smith and Ray Mears in 2014.