And A One, Two, Three, Stroke!

Paddling a canoe can be easy but it takes constant practice to be good at it. If you're navigating flat waters, you might actually find it quite easy and fun since you're mostly going forward and backwards. The only thing that you need to worry about are aching arm muscles the next day. But when waves, wind and rapids come into play, then your knowledge of paddles strokes will come in very handy.

There are varying paddles strokes and each one is used for specific situations. The right stroke allows the canoe to move through the water in the direction you want it and in a safe manner as well. Basic strokes are often times combined together or are adjusted depending on the canoe paddler. The idea is to be able to handle a canoe as smooth and as efficient, effective, and skillful as possible.

The easiest stroke is the cruising stroke or forward stroke. This is used by the bowman to guide the canoe in a straight direction without turning. To do this stroke, you simply put the paddle blade forward along the side of the canoe, dip it into the water, and draw it back. You need to keep the paddle straight when you draw it back. The same thing is employed for the left paddle blade.

For steering or turning, you will need to master the J-stroke. It is named that way since when done on the port side, the paddler seems to be making a letter J on the water. The stroke starts off like a standard stroke but at the end, the paddle is rotated and pushed away from the canoe. Commonly used by bowmen to maneuver the canoe in reverse while backpaddling or backferrying in white water.

On the other hand, a Superior stroke which is also known as the goon or rudder stroke is used in the stern of the canoe. The stroke uses the other side of the power surface of the paddle to steer the canoe. A small pry is evident at the end of the stroke. This stroke is preferred in rough water and is normally used in white water canoeing.

Another stroke is the pry stroke, which can be used on either side of the canoe. With the pry stroke, the paddle is inserted vertically in the water. Make sure that the power face is outward, and the shaft braced against the gunwale. Then you perform a gentle prying motion to make the canoe move the opposite direction of the paddling side.

It would be best to take lessons from the experts to learn these canoe strokes. Other strokes that you need to master are the push-away stroke, the running pry, the draw stroke, the scull and the reverse scull, the cross-draw stroke, and the sweep.

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