How to Paddle a Canoe

Paddling a canoe can be done by an individual or group. The basic technique in either situation is the same. Nevertheless, when there is more than one paddler, it's important to know that each person in the canoe will have different tasks.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• One paddle for each person in the canoe

Hold the Paddle

1. Decide upon which side of the boat you will begin paddling. Place the hand farthest from that side on top of the paddle, covering the very end of the paddle. If your paddle is in the water to the right hand side of the boat, this will be your left hand.

2. Place the water-side arm at a right angle and grip the paddle wherever your hand hits, which is usually just a few inches above the top of the wide part of the paddle--the part that is submerged on each stroke.

3. Confirm that your grip feels strong and comfortable. The important thing is to never lose your paddle, so if adjustments need to be made in where your water-side hand is placed, make them as soon as possible.

Paddle in Rhythm

4. Paddle on opposite sides of the canoe if there are two or more paddlers.

5. Push the paddles through the water and remove them from the water simultaneously. Every stroke of the paddles will move the canoe, and when two or more paddlers paddle in rhythm, the canoe can keep moving forward, instead of zigzagging and wasting your energy. One standard rhythm is for the sternman to paddle on one side of the boat and the bowman the other for a count of three or so paddles, then to switch in unison.

6. Reach forward and push the paddle into the water so that the paddle is perpendicular to the canoe. Pull the paddle back toward you, keeping it fairly close to the side of the canoe. Let the paddle pass your body and continue to push back against the water until it feels natural to pull the paddle out.

7. Swing the paddle out of the water at the end of your stroke and swing it above and parallel to the water back to the front of your stroke.

8. Repeat until you've reached your destination.

Tips & Warnings

• Solo canoers will need to sit in the stern to have the greatest control, and will also need to alter their stroke a bit to keep the boat on course. Insert your paddle into the water as in a normal stroke, but at the end of your stroke come toward the back tip of the canoe. This will keep you moving straight, and is called a "J" stroke.
• Canoes are steered from the back, so it is up to the paddler in the stern to move around approaching impediments, including whitewater, submerged logs and sandbanks. The paddler in the front, or bow, will provide power to move the canoe forward and will call out impediments to the bowman.

Who Can Help:

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Resources

• Safe caonoeing tips at AmericanCanoe.org