How to Hut Stroke a Canoe

Canoes don't paddle straight. The hut stroke, sometimes called the Minnesota switch, is a technique for quickly switching paddling sides to compensate for the canoe's veering.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Canoe Gear Bags
• Canoe Kneeling Pads
• Canoe Paddles
• Canoe Racks
• Canoe Yokes
• Canoes
• Life Vests

1. Do a normal forward paddle. (See "How to Forward Paddle a Canoe.")

2. Release your top hand from the paddle at the end of the stroke.

3. Pull the paddle out of the water with your bottom hand, and pass it to your top hand.

4. Grab the paddle with your former top hand just above your bottom hand.

5. Release your former bottom hand, and put it on the top of the paddle.

6. Reach forward, and do a forward paddle on the opposite side of the canoe.

7. Switch your paddling side every six to eight strokes.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice switching sides so that you can do it quickly and smoothly. This will also improve your paddling technique on your weak side.
• If you are canoeing with a partner, switch sides at the same time. Work out a signal so that you can easily coordinate this. The inventors of the hut switch used to say, "Hut," for their switch signal, hence the name.
• Always wear a life vest when canoeing.

Who Can Help:

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on 11/22/2005 On Step 4, grab the paddle BELOW your bottom hand, and SLIDE your other hand to the top of the paddle. This lowers the chance of missing your grip.