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Step 1
Wear shoes or boots than can either get wet and dry quickly (crocs), or that completely protect your feet from the water (rain boots).
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Step 2
As you approach the shore, determine whether the landing area is grassy, sandy, or rocky.
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Step 3
If the landing area is grassy, nudge the bow of the canoe onto the grass, and get out over the bow or in shallow water. Grassy areas cause the least damage to a canoe.
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Step 4
If the landing area is sandy, pull the canoe sideways alongside the beach and get out on the shallow side, a foot or two from shore. Unload the boat completely before you pull it up.
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Step 5
If the landing area is rocky, navigate past the larger rocks. Pull alongside the shore and get out when the water is shallow enough to step in without going over the top of your boot. Lift the boat up to get it out of the water, don't drag it over rocks.
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Step 6
Have the first person out of the boat hold the canoe steady for the next person to leave.
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Step 7
In dangerous conditions, sacrifice the boat before your own personal safety. You may need to run the boat ashore at times. Don't worry too much about the composite bottom. The idea is to land softly during general use, in order to protect the overall life span of the boat.
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Step 8
Composite canoes get damaged by people who ram them ashore, drag them over rocks and sand while loaded, and generally don't use common sense. Minor scratches will not damage your canoe, so don't be overly protective.
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Step 9
Always wear government approved life vests while canoeing. Make the safety of yourself and everyone in your party the number one priority at all times.
