Canoeing

1
Canoeing

• Introduction to Strokes and Techniques

2
Bow Stroke

• This stroke is used to move the canoe forwards in
  a straight line.  The stroke itself is simple. 
  The paddler reaches forwards and places the
  paddle in the water.  The paddle is then drawn
  towards the stern, in a line parallel to the
  keel.  To recover the paddle is lifted from the
  water and swung forward in a circular motion.  If
  done in reverse this will propel the canoe
  backwards.

3
Canadian Stroke

• If the bow and stern men both do the bow stroke
  the canoe will turn slowly due to the leverage
  created by the paddlers.  To correct for this the
  sternman uses the Canadian stroke.  This is
  essentially the same as the bow stroke, except
  the blade is pushed slightly away from the side
  of the canoe at the end of the stroke.  This
  counteracts the leverage created by paddling. 
  The sternman will need to use the Canadian stroke
  once for every three to four bow strokes in order
  to maintain a straight course.

4
J-Stroke

• This is a more sever form of the Canadian stroke,
  which is used by the sternman to turn the canoe
  towards the side that the sternman is paddling
  on.

5
Draw

• This stroke is done by  extending the paddle
  outwards, and drawing towards yourself.  If this
  is done on opposite sides of the canoe by both
  the paddlers the canoe will rotate rapidly.  If
  this is done on the same side by both paddlers
  the canoe will move sideways.

6
Pry/Push Away

• This is the opposite of the draw.  The paddle is
  inserter into the water by the canoe, and pushed
  outwards.  This has the same effect as the draw,
  but the result will be in the opposite direction.

7
Check

• This is a simple stroke used for stopping. 
  Simple insert the paddle in the water beside the
  canoe and hold it in place.  This will slow the
  canoe.

8
Sweep

• This stroke turns the canoe in a circle away from
  the paddling side of the canoe.  To do this
  stroke place the paddle in the water as far in
  front of you as you can.  Pull the blade in a
  wide semicircle until the paddle is behind you. 
  This can also be done in the reverse direction,
  which will rotate the canoe towards the paddling
  side

9
Going Straight

• To go in a strait line the bowman should use the
  bow stroke, and the sternman should use the bow
  stroke, with enough Canadian stokes mixed in to
  keep the canoe traveling in a straight line.

10
Weak Turns

• To make a weak turn towards the bowman's paddling
  side several Canadian strokes can be used in a
  row.  To turn away from the bowman's paddling
  side the sternman can stop using Canadian
  strokes, or curve his/her stroke towards the
  keel.

11
Medium Turns

• To make a medium turn sternman can use a 'J'
  stroke on the appropriate side of the canoe,
  while the bowman maintains the bow stroke.  The
  sternman can also use short draws and pry's to
  make medium turns.

12
Strong Turns

• To make strong turns several things can be done. 
  The sternman can use pry's and draws to move the
  stern rapidly.  The bowman can use prys and draws
  to move the bow rapidly, or both paddlers can use
  combinations of these strokes to achieve a strong
  turn.

13
Moving Sideways

• There are three ways to move a canoe sideways. 
  The first is for both paddlers to use a draw on
  the same side of the canoe.  This will draw the
  canoe towards the paddling side.  This is good
  for moving sideways towards an object.
• The second method involves both paddlers using
  pry's on the same side of the canoe.  Controlling
  the canoe is difficult when doing this, but it is
  good for bringing the canoe alongside a dock or
  another canoe.

14
Moving Sideways (Cont.)

• The final method relies on one person using a
  draw, and the other a pry, on opposite sides of
  the canoe (see picture below).  This is good for
  situations where the canoe needs to be moved
  sideways when  there is not  enough time for one
  paddler to switch sides, and a turn is
  impractical (i.e. dodging a rock in white water).
  

15
Rotating

• There are two ways to rotate in place.  The first
  is for both paddlers to draw or pry on opposite
  sides of the canoe.  This will rotate the canoe
  in the direction of the pry/draw.  The second
  method involves using the sweep stroke on
  opposite sides of the canoe.  This will rotate
  the canoe in the direction of the sweeps.

16
Entering the Canoe

• Although this seems like it should be simple, its
  not.  If you are not careful you'll flip the
  canoe and end up in the drink! 
• To properly enter into the canoe take your paddle
  and place it across the gunwales.  Next place one
  foot directly onto the keel, and shift your
  weight so it is directly over  the keel.  Now
  bring your other foot into the canoe and place it
  as near to the center as you can.  Slowly lower
  yourself into a kneeling position and you're
  done.
• To exit the canoe, reverse this procedure.

17
Posture

• Although canoes have seats you're not supposed to
  sit on them as you would a seat.  If you were to
  do this you're center of gravity would be too
  high and the canoe would be prone to tripping.
• Instead, you kneel on the bottom of the canoe and
  rest your behind on the seat.  This lowers your
  center of gravity.  This can be hard on the
  knees, so its a good idea to have some sort of
  pad to kneel on.