Deadrise Marine Photography
Explore the Chesapeake Bay Log Canoe –– A Sailing Clinic on the Eastern Shore of Maryland!
July 5 - 12, 2023
Join us for a unique sailing clinic in Wittman, Maryland where we'll immerse in the exhilarating Chesapeake Bay log canoes. These shallow-drafted, and heavily canvased wooden boats of the 19th century were designed to be loaded with oysters and raced back to shore before the others in the fleet in order to receive the highest price for their catch. Built 90-140 years ago, there are only two dozen log canoes remaining, and are now used primarily for community racing throughout the summer. Log canoes require incredible teamwork and orchestration to maneuver. In this program you will become a carrier of this maritime lineage passed down for over 100 years.
We have the opportunity to sail PERSISTANCE, owned by Owen Lyons, who is generously loaning his historic log canoe to Atlantic Challenge USA this year, in order to share the craft and sport with new generations.
We'll cover topics of sail theory, points of sail, and sail trim, and put the theories into practice experientially in the log canoes and in additional small craft. In addition to sailing, the program will include leadership, personal reflection activities, and local history/cultural presentations. This sailing clinic will deepen your understanding of sailing, sail trim, sail handling, racing, skippering, and working as a team under sail.
Provisional Schedule:
Days, weather permitting, will consist of a group breakfast, packing a picnic lunch, a short class or presentation, then sailing from about 10am-3pm. Evenings are for more optional sailing in a laser and other small craft, exploring Wittman, downtime, playing music or other games, and having dinner. Most meals will be eaten at the house we'll be staying in, with some picnic lunches and of course at least one crab feast!
July 5 - Travel from Maine to Wittman, MD by van. Morning departure, evening arrival, approximately 9 hrs. Stops for stretching, eating, etc, on the way. Or meet us there, if you prefer!
July 6 - Prepare the log canoe PERSISTANCE, built in 1895. Launch the log canoe in the Miles River. Sail the log canoe, and/or additional small craft.
July 7 - Get familiar sailing the log canoe, sail additional small craft in the afternoon.
July 8 - Participate in the Log Canoe Races, or sail nearby the races in another Log Canoe
July 9 - Participate in the Log Canoe Races, or sail nearby the races in another Log Canoe
July 10 - Day trip in the Log canoe to Wye Island, pick raspberries.
July 11 - Sailing log canoes/small craft; Crab feast in the evening. Pack up.
July 12 - Travel back to Maine by van. Morning departure, evening arrival with short stops along the way for stretching, eating, resting, etc.
Starts and ends in Belfast, ME, with stops south along the coast to pick up any of our crew members on our way to Wittman, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay.
All ages, 14 and up, and all experience levels. All instruction, food, transport from Maine to Maryland, and within Maryland, and accommodations covered in tuition. Safety gear such as lifejackets and first aid kits will be provided.
Led by Olivia Carlson-Keene, Michael Keene (Olivia's father and wooden boatbuilder in Wittman, MD), Arista Holden, and Dylan Ladds.
July 5 - 12, 2023
Join us for a unique sailing clinic in Wittman, Maryland where we'll immerse in the exhilarating Chesapeake Bay log canoes. These shallow-drafted, and heavily canvased wooden boats of the 19th century were designed to be loaded with oysters and raced back to shore before the others in the fleet in order to receive the highest price for their catch. Built 90-140 years ago, there are only two dozen log canoes remaining, and are now used primarily for community racing throughout the summer. Log canoes require incredible teamwork and orchestration to maneuver. In this program you will become a carrier of this maritime lineage passed down for over 100 years.
We have the opportunity to sail PERSISTANCE, owned by Owen Lyons, who is generously loaning his historic log canoe to Atlantic Challenge USA this year, in order to share the craft and sport with new generations.
We'll cover topics of sail theory, points of sail, and sail trim, and put the theories into practice experientially in the log canoes and in additional small craft. In addition to sailing, the program will include leadership, personal reflection activities, and local history/cultural presentations. This sailing clinic will deepen your understanding of sailing, sail trim, sail handling, racing, skippering, and working as a team under sail.
Provisional Schedule:
Days, weather permitting, will consist of a group breakfast, packing a picnic lunch, a short class or presentation, then sailing from about 10am-3pm. Evenings are for more optional sailing in a laser and other small craft, exploring Wittman, downtime, playing music or other games, and having dinner. Most meals will be eaten at the house we'll be staying in, with some picnic lunches and of course at least one crab feast!
July 5 - Travel from Maine to Wittman, MD by van. Morning departure, evening arrival, approximately 9 hrs. Stops for stretching, eating, etc, on the way. Or meet us there, if you prefer!
July 6 - Prepare the log canoe PERSISTANCE, built in 1895. Launch the log canoe in the Miles River. Sail the log canoe, and/or additional small craft.
July 7 - Get familiar sailing the log canoe, sail additional small craft in the afternoon.
July 8 - Participate in the Log Canoe Races, or sail nearby the races in another Log Canoe
July 9 - Participate in the Log Canoe Races, or sail nearby the races in another Log Canoe
July 10 - Day trip in the Log canoe to Wye Island, pick raspberries.
July 11 - Sailing log canoes/small craft; Crab feast in the evening. Pack up.
July 12 - Travel back to Maine by van. Morning departure, evening arrival with short stops along the way for stretching, eating, resting, etc.
Starts and ends in Belfast, ME, with stops south along the coast to pick up any of our crew members on our way to Wittman, Maryland, on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay.
All ages, 14 and up, and all experience levels. All instruction, food, transport from Maine to Maryland, and within Maryland, and accommodations covered in tuition. Safety gear such as lifejackets and first aid kits will be provided.
Led by Olivia Carlson-Keene, Michael Keene (Olivia's father and wooden boatbuilder in Wittman, MD), Arista Holden, and Dylan Ladds.
The Chesapeake Bay Log Canoes
Additional small craft we can sail.
Our air-conditioned accommodations in Wittman, MD, owned by our Log Canoe Instructor and skipper, Michael Keene.
Summer sunset views of the Chesapeake, and ripe raspberries that will be in season.