"Spoll! I tried it." Walk on the water by canoe.

This time, two graduate students from Kumamoto Prefecture, Takezawa, and Akiyama, a university student from Chiba Prefecture, will experience this time. Currently, they live in Kochi, but this is the first time they have a canoe experience on the Niyodo River. The Niyodo River is so clear that it looks blue when it is illuminated by sunlight. How was your first canoe experience?　Let me tell you about the experience of both of you.

First of all

Mr. Takezawa and Mr. Akiyama experienced the plan of the Niyodo River activity plan provided by the outdoor facility "River Cruise" in Tosa Washi Craft Village QRAUD. The canoe used by the two people is also called "kayak" where you can stretch your legs and sit down and row water with a double paddle. It is mainly used in rivers that flow fast, and is characterized by small turns and easy to operate. Wear a helmet and life jacket in preparation for overthrowing or falling, and wear water shoes that are difficult to remove to protect your feet from riverbanks and underwater rocks. For summer clothes, we recommend fast-drying clothes that can be wet. In spring and autumn, you can enjoy it with peace of mind by wearing a special wet suit.

Place

The outdoor facility "River Cruise" is about 30 minutes by car from Kochi IC. Located on the premises of Tosa Washi Craft Village QRAUD, which stands on the banks of the Niyodo River. Reservations are required to experience each plan. For more information, please check out our website.

https://niyodogawa-rivercruise.com

State of the experience

The two arriving at Tosa Washi Craft Village QRAUD will apply for participation at the front desk where the front entrance is located. After changing clothes in the changing room, borrow and equip helmets, life jackets, and shoes included in the plan, the canoe experience starts.

We will move to the place of experience on foot.
When you arrive at the waterside, the explanation will begin by the guide IKUNO. “First put your feet on the water.” It seems that one of the important preparations is to check the water temperature on the day with your skin so that you do not panic when you fall.

"If you row a paddle with watered on both sides, backwards, the canoe will move forward. When you row from behind to front, you will move backwards. On the left side, you turn right, and on the right side, you turn left."

Next, I will explain it while riding a real canoe. "When riding a canoe, sit down from the bottom and put your feet in the canoe. If you fall into the water, please be assured that you are wearing a life jacket, so it floats in the water. If you are not able to swim, you will be able to help yourself, so stay calm and rest on your back.”

IKUNO's polite explanation relaxes the tension between the two.

After listening to the explanation, he said, "I've never done canoeing, and I'm not good at swimming, so I'm a little worried if I can do it properly." Mr. Akiyama looks a little anxious about riding alone.
Mr. Takezawa, who was listening to the explanation with a smile, said, "I've actually been riding several times when I was young." He seems to have experienced canoeing in his hometown of Kumamoto.

After IKUNO, the two of them boarded the canoe into the river. First of all, practice in the shallow water.

"Rowing backwards is called front rowing. Rowing back from behind" IKUNO's example, he seemed to get used to handling paddles as he practiced following IKUNO's example, and Akiyama's expression also smiled.

"Fast fast"

"I'll hit you. I'll hit you."

The two people have gradually become accustomed to the canoe maneuvering that slides on the water, and have become able to proceed side by side.

Take photos together, watch the scenery seen at a different angle, and enjoy the time on the water.

"I can see the bottom of the water, so I think it looks shallow, but the depth is 3m. When heavy rain falls, it sometimes becomes 6m, so the height of the water is around that tree. Each time, the shape of the river and the river changes.”
IKUNO will also explain the environment of the river.

"Why are my feet tired?" "Is it because I walk?" I’m tired of my shoulders.”

It seems that I enjoyed it so crazy that I did not feel tired during the experience.

Finally

I asked you two of your thoughts.

"At first I was worried that I could row, but I went straight. When the sun came out, I thought the water was beautiful. Anyway, it was good to go home safely,” Akiyama replied with a laugh.

Mr. Takezawa said, "It was fun to move faster than last time when I was small. It was a strange feeling to go on the water, and it was fresh and comfortable because the other two people were moving sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"I wanted to float more," "I enjoyed going down. When I come next time, I want to go to a place where the flow is fast." This canoe experience is over with each other feeling regrets.

Above, "Spoll! I tried it. It was a canoe.”　Canoe tours on the Niyodo River can be booked from the River Cruise website.
You can also experience rafting and sap, and you can use it in groups such as school excursions. Please visit our website.

Facility information