Solid Technique and
no bad Habits!
JOIN US FOR OUR LAST CLASS OF 2026
Wilderness Canoe Skills Weekend October 3-4
Go to the "hands on classes" tab and book today
Poling Skills Class
Here is a list of topics we will cover in the 3 Minutes with a Maine Guide Poling class!
Scroll Down and find your Class
Different Poles...Advantages & Challenges
Best Pole length and why
Poling stance Modern versus Traditional
Turning and Leaning drills
Cross Draw circle pole turns
Outside corner turn
Inside corner turn and slowing technique
Pry off the hip
Work the boat with your feet
Sweep
Power push and rudder
Walk up the pole
Windmill
Switch Power technique
Single hand drills for balance and technique
Weight in the boat and why
Common Poling mistakes...You can't pull a pole and you can't push a rope!
How to upstream and downstream ferry
How to Eddy in and out with a pole
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Techniques for saving a boat in a rapid with a pole
Stopping and snubbing drills
Stance and balance drills
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What makes a "good" poling boat and why
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What gear works best for Polers
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How to tell if ANY boat will be a good poling boat with a simple test anyone can do
Wilderness Canoe Tripping skills weekend September 13 - 14, 2025 will feature all the skills listed below. Learn how to set up a camp this cozy in the absolute middle of nowhere! Go to the booking page and save your spot today.
Paddle Technique
Learn the paddle strokes Guides use to move a loaded boat all day long!
Effective strokes for fighting a headwind.
Canoe strategies for lake crossing and headwinds.
How the load effects the paddle stroke
Learn the canoe stroke first nations taught to Guides.
Learn the Rocking Chair stroke
Learn an effective J stroke
Rotating grip canoe stroke
Draw & Cross Draw
Stern Sweep & Pry
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How to "face" your stroke
How to use the canoe in your stroke
How to rest in a stroke
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Knots & Shelters
Learn how to set up a tarp when it is blowing a gale! How to have a fire under those difficult conditions, how to keep a group warm and fed.
Learn a good working tarp setup for any wilderness kitchen. How to key into wind and weather in order to orient a tarp. What to look for when setting up.
Can you make a group this comfortable? Come learn the tricks of the trade so you can. 2 simple knots and a Guide to show you how is all you need!
Having a good working fire under a skilled tarp setup is the key to comfort and safety in the absolute middle of nowhere! Come learn it from a Guide who has done it everywhere from the Rio Grande to the Gaspe'Peninsula.
Cooking & Baking
over an open fire
Learn what it takes to cook over an open fire. How to choose the right wood and how much. What tools are the right tools. How to set up a solid fire pit.
Learn how to take this and the skills you will learn in this class to make an unforgettable meal.
Good food prep and cleanup tricks that are simple and compact. Sign up, I'll give away my secrets!
Whatever you like to eat, this class can show you how to build it without dirtying every dish in the cook box. How to get good food out to the table hot without a lot of trouble. This is a glorious Chicken Pad Thai.
We will cover food that has to be kept cold and food that doesn't. Learn how to keep ice days longer than you thought you could. If coolers aren't your thing, we will show you the foods and baking that works best for no coolers.