SEATED AT a shady picnic table next to Piney Run Lake, seven water enthusiasts gathered to learn how to safely handle a canoe Saturday morning with instructor Tom Harbold.
Although hundreds of people rent canoes at the lake without taking basic instruction, the class offers many benefits, such as safety tips and easier handling methods.
Harbold, 36, who offers canoe and kayak instruction through the nature center and the county recreation department, began the lesson with a canoe at his feet, explaining basic terminology amid comments from participants Morgan Barton, 13, and JoAnna Walker, 12, who were eager to start the lesson on the lake.
He went over basics such as parts of the canoe: bow (front), stern (back), port (left) and starboard (right), to familiarize participants and prepare them to take instructions on the lake.
He also discussed personal flotation devices or PFDs. The group wore type-2 devices, commonly called horse collars. They keep a person afloat face-up even when the person is knocked unconscious.
After demonstrations of proper paddling and steering techniques, the group paired off and learned how to launch canoes.
Because the person in the back of the boat does most of the steering, and the person in the front provides propulsion, many preferred the easier job of steering and switched positions.
"It's fun," said Lisa Julian, who attended with her husband, Jim. "But it's harder than it looks."
Jim added, "It's a matter of coordination. You have to learn to work together."
Once comfortable with their ability to maneuver the canoes, the group broke for lunch back at the picnic table.
Lunch was followed by a trip along the shore. Canoe pairs included Cynthia Morgan and her niece JoAnna, while her other niece, Morgan, paired with Harbold; Patricia Koontz and her daughter Amy, 15, went together; and the Julians made up the final boat.
The last lesson of the day involved learning how to handle a tipped canoe. Cynthia Morgan, JoAnna and Amy volunteered to tip their canoe and demonstrate proper safety precautions - under Harbold's directions.
One recommendation is to stay with the canoe and use it as a flotation device.
"On a lake, the canoe is easily pushed out of reach by strong breezes. People in the water should catch onto the canoe as soon as possible," said Harbold.
Amid laughter and protests about the feel of the thick hydrilla plants that cover the lake bottom, the three put on a perfect demonstration, including a canoe rescue by Harbold and Morgan.
"I like getting the girls involved in various things all summer, and these lessons are great," Cynthia Morgan said.
Harbold praised his group, especially the three who braved being dunked in the cold lake.
Evening volksmarch
Piedmont Pacers Volkssport Club of Carroll County is sponsoring an Evening Volksmarch from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (with finish by 8:30 p.m.) tomorrow, starting at Sykesville Middle School.
Volksmarch, or people's walk, is a noncompetitive walking event, said chairman Chuck Merkel. The Westminster-based group is 14 years old and includes chapters in Thurmont and Frederick.
Merkel said more than 1,000 walks are held every year in Maryland, with a major event Aug. 24 - the Augustoberfest.
The events are free and draw up to 200 people. All are welcome.
The school is at 7301 Springfield Ave.
Information: Chuck Merkle, 410-795-7855 or e-mail him at cbm95@md.prestige.net. The group has a Web site: www.ang elfire.com/md2/pacers/sykes ville.html.
Sykesville carnival
The Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department carnival runs this week until Saturday and is the Fire Department's largest fund-raising event of the year.
Today, tomorrow and Thursday will feature all-night ride specials for $10. Other nights are $13 to ride all night. The midway is open from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Cash bingo is available every night. The Fire Department is at 6680 Sykesville Road.
Information: 410-795-9311.
Debra Taylor Young's neighborhood column appears each Tuesday in the Carroll County edition of The Sun.