HUGH STEWART AND JASON EKE IN THE
HEADWATERS CANOES WORKSHOP. PHOTO: JASMIJN DECUPYER
for Stewart, it was more than just routine patchwork—he was combining his love of woodcraft and his passion for wilderness canoe tripping. After moving to Wakefield, Stewart established his own small cedar-canvas canoe shop. It seemed natural when the original Chestnut Ca-
noe Company building forms came up for sale that he would purchase them and continue building the canoes he’d grown to be so fond of. It was in his shop that my film crew and I caught up with him. I’d never expected that I’d be able to get so close to a newly canvassed and cleanly varnished authentic Prospector. Stewart’s works feature the same beautifully crafted forms and functional prowess that the boats have always boasted. Stewart was a very gracious host and we spent our time talking about canoe design, building methods, wilderness canoe travel, skills develop- ment and what it means to be a canoeist. There was something special as a canoe builder myself to sit in a master builder’s shop surrounded by his work and tools and discuss canoe
philosophy. “Canoeing strikes on the physical plane, it strikes on the intellectual plane, historical, cultural and it even affects you on the spiritual plane,” Stewart told me. “There aren’t many activities that you can undertake which will give you nutrition on all these elements.” As I got to know this icon of the North, Hugh shared with me that even if his Prospectors haven’t changed much in nearly a 100 years,
everything else has, including himself. “When I look back on my canoeing times and the few I have left to look forward to, I don’t think of how I’m going to go up or down that big rapid. Now canoeing gives me a chance to spend time with the people I like. And to get away from television, Internet, cars, and the telephone—that’s what I’m attracted to.” Jason Eke is the producer and director of upcoming documentary Canoe: Icon of the North. Follow the travels of Jason and his crew at
www.cano-
emovie.com. Visit Headwaters Canoes online at
www.headwaterscanoes.ca. DIGITAL EXTRA: Click to go inside the Headwaters Canoe shop here.
www.rapidmedia.com 17
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