2torial #0487:
Learn2 Canoe (continued)

Paddle and steer

It takes a little practice to get the hang of paddling, but eventually you'll master a straight, easy glide.

Generally, two people place their paddles in the water at the same time, paddling on opposite sides of the boat. The bow paddler leads, setting the rhythm and alternating sides after several strokes. The stern paddler also steers the boat by using his or her paddle to compensate for any wave or wind fluctuation.

Grasp the paddle. When you paddle on your right side, your right hand will grip the paddle shaft about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) above the paddle blade. With your left hand, grip the paddle handle at the top end of the shaft. Your hands should be about shoulder width apart.

The basic strokes are as follows. Keep in mind that in this step, strokes are described as if you're paddling on the right side. When you paddle on the left, you'll reverse the positions of your hands.

The forward stroke. Holding the paddle on your right side as described, bend your left elbow so your fist is in front of your chin. With your upper body turned slightly to the right, reach forward with your right hand until your right arm is straight. Now:

• Place 3/4 of the blade in the water.

• Push your left hand forward and to the right diagonally toward a point just above where your right hand started. At the same time, draw your right hand straight back so it's parallel to your hip. Any pull on the paddle past the hip is ineffective, as it causes the boat to bob, creates a drag, and is more work for you.

• Relax your arms so your left arm drops down into the canoe, while the blade comes out of the water.

• With your left arm, twist the handle counterclockwise so the blade is almost parallel to the water, with the edge in front slightly higher than the back edge. This lessens wind resistance on the blade as you come into position for the next stroke.

• Bring your left arm back up to chin level and straighten your right arm forward, so the blade moves out and forward, into the starting position.

The backstroke. This is the exact opposite of the forward stroke. You will use this stroke to back out of the dock area or out of another boat's way, maneuver around objects, or quickly slow your boat's forward momentum.

Start the basic backward stroke as if you had just finished a forward stroke: with your left arm straight, reaching forward diagonally to your right side and your right hand (holding the shaft) relaxed at your hip. The paddle blade should be poised just above the water.

• Place 3/4 of the blade in the water.

• Pull your left hand back toward your chin while pushing your right hand forward.

• Take the blade out of the water by dropping your left arm down into the canoe.

• With your left hand, twist the handle clockwise so the blade tilts to a slight angle above and almost parallel to the water.

• Reach forward with your left hand and bring your right arm back to your hip, so the blade moves out and back, into position for the next stroke.

The J stroke. Either paddler can use this stroke for steering or turning, but on a calm lake it's typically used by the stern paddler (in these conditions, no further steering effort is usually necessary). Begin the stroke as if you were doing a forward stroke. Then, just before your right hand reaches your hip, while the blade is still in the water, twist the handle away from you and push the paddle out, away from the boat to your right.