#1 - Always respect the river.
#2 - Always wear your life vest.
#3 - Do not litter.
#4 - Bring trash back to canoe office.
#5 - Do not trespass on private land.
#6 - Always be cautious around low water bridges. In high water, bridges can be very dangerous. Never pull canoe up against  bridge. Always portage.
#7 - Never try to run a dam.
#8 - Keep canoes straight downstream in fast water.
#9 - If capsize occurs in fast water.
    A. Get upstream of canoe to keep from getting pinned to rocks.
    B. Float through fast water on your back with feet downstream to ward off rocks.
    C. Recover canoe in calm water.
#10 - When the water or air temperatures are cold, beware of hypothermia.
#11 - Tie in all gear - take nothing you can't afford to lose or get wet.
#12 - Tie in car keys or leave them with us at the Front Royal Canoe office.
#13 - If caught in wind or lightning storm, get off river and away from tall and over-hanging trees.
#14 - Campers, pull canoe well off river at night, pack trash up and watch your campfires.
#15 - All paddlers and tubers must wear some sort of foot protection.
#16 - Watch out for sunburn. Use plenty of suntan lotion on thighs and shoulders.
#17 - Watersports and excessive alcohol or drug use don't mix. NO FIREARMS on any river trip.
#18 - Never paddle or tube on flooded waters.
#19 - Never tie a child or person to a canoe or boat in any way.
#20 - Respect fishermen's rights.
#21 - Respect all rented equipment - others will have to use it after you.
#22 - Never leave canoes unattended.
#23 - Tubers: never drag or throw tubes, they may pop.
#24 - Paddlers: always clean boats of bait and trash and bring paddles and life vests to the office.
#25 - If you have any problems call (540)-635-5440.
#26 - In case of EMERGENCY call "911" or 800-270-8808 (Front Royal Canoe Co.)

Basic Paddling Techniques

#1 - Balance your load side-to-side and bow-to-stem with slightly more weight in the stem.
#2 - Paddle in sequence on opposite sides.
#3 - The stem paddler steers the canoe by using the paddle as a rudder.
#4 - The bow paddler helps determine the route and watches for obstructions.
#5 - Any third person should sit on the floor of the canoe just ahead of the center thwart.
#6 - The seats are always set slightly to the rear (stern) of the canoe, giving the person in the front (bow) more leg room.

Front Royal Canoe Company
P.O. Box 473 ~ Front Royal, Va. 22630
540-635-5440 / 800-270-8808
fax: 540-635-1574

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