Paddling a narrow stream in the Fiddlehead canoe

Summer in Denmark is coming quickly to an end, but after a long day of rain, the weather forecast for Wednesday afternoon was good.

So I decided to take the canoe for a paddle on one of the most scenic parts of Mølleåen north of Copenhagen (from Stampen to Nymølle), and do a video recording of it with my phone. 

This footage is more or less unedited, apart for a cut at around 28 minutes, which is where the camera hits a branch and falls off its tripod. (Actually, it ended up in the water, but luckily, it survived).

So this is very much slow TV. If you want to meditate over some tranquil scenery, feel free to watch it all, otherwise, you can just skip through it. 

The good thing about my little crash was that I turned around the camera so that it pointed forwards on this last stretch. This view, I think, is actually a lot more interesting than watching me paddle along.

Mølleåen is perhaps a bit on the narrow side for a double paddle canoe, because the paddle takes up quite a bit of space on both sides of the boat. Plus, the upper part of the paddle (the one that's not in the water) may catch on to overhanging branches. 

But actually, I found that a lot of fun. Often, I had to pick up speed, take aim and place the paddle along the length of the canoe to get through a tiny hole in the overhanging branches. 

A few times at some very narrow stretches, I took the paddle apart so that I could use it as a single paddle. I think this worked OK, too. 

Paddling this boat is just great. And a narrow stream such as this one is actually what I love the most. With the surroundings so close by, you really feel the speed of the boat. Plus, the scenery is constantly changing, and the handling of the boat is challenging and fun. 

- Mikkel Pagh

Video highlights:
00:00 Taking off from the pond at Stampen
02:50 Entering Mølleåen
08:20 In a tight spot!
11:30 A rainbow 🌈
12:20 Paddling through trees, grass, and weeds
27:40 The crash
28:30 Camera has been rescued and dried and is now facing forwards
30:40 This is where the really pretty stuff starts
36:05 Yellow house where I want my next workshop to be
37:10 Arrival at Nymølle