This week sees the return of our team who have been Canoeing in the Ardeche, France. Aspirant Instructors Keith Whitehead and Brian Fox were joined by canoeing experts Tony Pape (Blue) and his wife Caroline to run this unique course designed to equip you with the necessary skills to make the most of this most beautiful mode of travel.
Pont d’Arc view from the campsite
With so many photos being taken on this year’s Birch Bark Canoe Building Course, there were to bound to be some images which didn’t make it into our daily blog updates.
Here are a few extra shots from our archives to give you a better look behind the scenes of this seminal course:
Old friends Lars Fält and Ray Mears share a moment between carving
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)
Day 7 was the final day of Woodlore’s first ever Birch Bark Canoe Building Course and, as you might expect, was full of both tense and joyous moments.
Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 7
Day 6 was the penultimate day of our Birch Bark Canoe Building Course, and for the first time there was a noticeable sense of urgency in the air. With launch day looming, students pulled together to complete the next set of tasks, including the stitching of the bow and stern, with beautiful results. Once this was finished, attention was turned to keeping the canoe moist and supple, in preparation for the placement of the cedar ribs.
Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 6
Day 5 of Woodlore’s Birch Bark Canoe Building Course began with yet another beautifully sunny morning. With the canoe nearing completion, the team turned their focus to preparing the many ribs which will give the craft its finished shape, while continuing to stitch and bind the finished pieces together. When their hands were not needed elsewhere, students (along with special guest Lars Falt) progressed with the carving of their own canoe paddles, in readiness for launch day.
Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 5
The sight that greeted me on day 4 of our Birch Bark Canoe Building Course was a huge leap forward from my previous visits. Despite being the hottest day of the year so far, the group continued to work hard and were clearly enjoying seeing their efforts pay off, with the canoe already framed, pegged and being sewn together. Traditional tools and natural thread were used throughout and, as you can see below, the results were striking. Meanwhile, Ray unveiled a special, ceremonial sweat lodge which had been crafted earlier in the week, and students continued to carve their very own canoe paddles.
Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 4
Day 3 of our Birch Bark Canoe Building Course saw the group move out of the dense woods and into open space, giving them the room they needed to begin assembling the canoe itself. With the unveiling of two beautiful rolls of Canadian birch bark, the team started to build the basic framework from the materials they prepared earlier in the week. Once in place, we get our first real glimpse of the craft that is just a few days away from completion.
Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 3
Day 2 was the first full day of our Birch Bark Canoe Building Course and spirits were high; despite the hard work ahead, the anticipation and excitement was clear to see in the students. Seeking shelter from the sun, the team worked together with master canoe builder Pinock Smith on hand and, by the end of the day, they had achieved a great deal of preparation work for this momentous project.
Birch Bark Canoe Building with Ray Mears and Pinock Smith – Day 2
This week sees an incredibly unique course taking place right here in the UK, in celebration of Woodlore’s 30th Anniversary. The Birch Bark Canoe Building Course started yesterday afternoon, and has brought together some highly influential figures from the world of Bushcraft.
Ray Mears begins carving his canoe paddle
The Ray Mears & Woodlore Bushcraft Blog 