Collected and Edited by David Frydenlund (last revised in 2013)

Aquatic

Expedition Canoe

This is the base structure for a number of possible events. For stability, two canoes are lashed together at the thwarts using two 2x3's and eight lashing lines (round lashings). Once the canoes are lashed together they are used to do some task. Then they are unlashed and all the pieces made up neatly. This is a timed event and the lowest time wins. Two 17 foot canoes can handle an 8 man patrol and all patrol members are encouraged to go in the canoes.

Possible tasks for this event: A simple race around a buoy. Run out to a floating mark and cast a rescue line between two other marks or to hit a floating pfd. Deliver a package to a mark on shore and pick up one to bring back. Lash together a lance and use it to pop a balloon in the cat tails on the edge of the lake.

Portage Canoe Race

Two 2x3s or 2x4s are square lashed to the thwarts, parallel to the hull, to make improvised portage yokes. The canoe is then carried (inverted over the heads) through an obstacle course and returned to the start location. If water is available, the canoe is carried to a launch location and paddled back. For a 17 foot canoe four Patrol members can paddle the canoe. To add to the complexity the four canoe paddles must also be tied into the canoe. Further complexity is added if two Duluth Packs (or military duffel bags with shoulder straps) must also be carried with weight suitable to the age of the Scouts. This event could also be done for experienced canoists lashing paddles in instead of 2x3s and tying in a proper tump strap for an old timer's portage. This is a timed event. Lowest time wins.

Underwater Lashing

The patrol is given three pieces of PVC pipe and a ten-foot length of rope. They must construct a tripod entirely underwater (in the deep end of the pool, or past a certain lake depth). Points awarded on time.

Kim's Underwater Game

A variety of items are placed at the bottom of the pool (anything that doesn't float, isn't made of glass, and has no sharp edges). The patrol is given an amount of time to explore the bottom of the pool to view the items. When time is up they exit the pool. Facing away from the pool, they have a set amount of time to prepare a list of items they remember. Points awarded based on items identified.

Golf Ball Scramble

The patrol lines up at the shallow end of the pool or lake. A basketful of numbered golf balls are thrown into the pool. At the command, the patrol members scramble to collect as many balls as possible and carry them back to a bucket on land. No patrol member may have more than one ball at a time in his hand. When time has expired, the numbers on the balls are added up, and the patrol receives that number of points.

Breath Holding Contest

Patrol members form a line in the shallow end of the pool. On signal, all jump into the pool, submerge themselves, and hold their breath. Points awarded based on how long the last Scout takes to surface.

Patrol Canoe Race #1

Two canoes are tied together end to end with a separation of about five (5) feet. All members of the patrol are placed in the two canoes. They race from shore to point A and back to shore using only their hands for canoe paddles. Points based on time.

Patrol Canoe Race #2

Two canoeists paddle a canoe to point B, jump out of the canoe, swamp it, get back in, paddle it back to shore, then empty the water from the canoe. Points based on time.

Rowing Obstacle Course

Maneuver a rowboat over an obstacle course. Points based on time.