The Portland Daily Press

THE CANOEIST'S MEET.

A Grand Time in Prospect at Bluff Point, Lake Champlain.

Canoe men all over the country are now busy preparing for the great event of their season, the annual meet of the American Canoe Association, which occurs at Bluff Point, Lake Champlain, August 9-23. For fifteen years this summer camp has been an established fixture, and each year it grows in popularity. The attendance is always over 200, and last year it closely approached 300. Many of the members come hundreds of miles to attend, and one enthusiast a few years ago hurried home from Japan rather than be absent from the annual gathering of his fellows. In two different years English canoe men have crossed the ocean to try for honors in the regatta which is held in connection with the meet, and every year the entry of Canadians in the races gives them an international aspect. The majority of the canoe men present are usually, however, from this side of the line.

It is now almost twenty-five years since canoeing as a sport found favor in this country, and it is just fifteen years since a handful of canoe men met in a convention at Crosbyside, Lake George, and organized the American Canoe Association. Since then the sport has grown steadily to its present very respectable proportions. It is estimated that there are over ten thousand canoe men in the United States, of which over one-half are in its eastern part. There are also several thousand in Canada, where the sport is very popular.

Bluff Point is about four miles from Plattsburgh, N. Y. The location is a charming one, and offers many advantages in its immediate surroundings, magnificent scenery, arrangements for general mess, transportation facilities, sailing and paddling water. The tents will be pitched on a gently sloping plateau about eight feet above the lake, in the edge of woods extending back half a mile from the shore. These woods are one of the features of the camp, as they are not only very beautiful and interesting in themselves, but will afford a cool retreat should the weather be warm and a protection from any high wind.

The water is clean and pure, with sufficient shelter from high seas and yet open enough to insure good sailing breezes. Thunder storms with very high winds are infrequent in this section of the lake. There are many interesting and historical places in the vicinity which will afford good objective points for excursions and cruises, and it is believed that this will prove to be one of the best locations ever selected for the meet.

The racing at the canoe meet usually occupies the second week of the camp The canoe championships of the year are decided at this time. There are a number of entertaining and amusing races. Others are for valuable trophies, and one series of record events also determined all-round ability at paddling, sailing and both combined.