Back to women and bow vs. stern.  Our group has been going on our annual October canoe trips for about three decades.  We invite friends and acquaintances of all type, gender, age (12 to 70+) and experience level.  Although dominated by men, we have women participants also.  Our crew experience level is from advanced to novice beginner.  Either way, we swap canoeing partners daily and everyone has the opportunity to take turns at riding bow or stern if they wish.  Granted, first timers might drive a little wiggly crisscrossing the lake, but you will never learn if you are not given an opportunity.

The previous week I went to a presentation by Wiki Wiki Wahine.  They are a group of Duluth women Dragon boats racers.  
  (You need to Login or Register Dragon boats are basically long canoes with twenty paddlers racing a 500-meter course.  Although we felt pretty good that my coed dragon boat team came in thirteenth overall out of about 90 entries;  Wiki Wiki Wahine came in first in their division and beat us out at fourth place overall in our Dragon boat races last summer in Duluth.  They went on to win the national races in their division and they earned the honor to complete in the international event being held in Hong Kong in 2012.  Wiki Wiki Wahine in Hawaiian translates to “Speedy Women” and we could of used more of them on our team.  :)

starwatcher