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Step 1
Distribute items evenly in the canoe. Any offset of weight can cause trouble while you are canoeing, this includes people, too. Fishing gear, coolers and anything else that you plan to take should be positioned securely and evenly inside the canoe.
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Step 2
Stay seated at all times. Don’t stand up in the canoe for any reason and always try to keep your center of gravity low. When you have to stand, like when you are exiting or entering the canoe, be sure to hold both sides to keep your balance while you are moving around. Horseplay is an obvious stability hazard, so everyone must know that it isn’t allowed in your canoe.
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Step 3
Keep the number of people to a minimum. There are only a few seats available in a canoe, depending on its size, so having the least amount of people will help to keep stability on the water. Each person should be in a seat of his own and stay close to the center of the canoe.
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Step 4
Watch for ripples that indicate the presence of rocks. There are many dangers in the rivers that pose a stability threat, such as rocks and natural obstacles. The person in the bow position, which is the front seat, will be the spotter and should stay alert while maneuvering through the rapids. It is also important that you travel through the currents in a length-wise direction and not a broadside manner, so that your canoe doesn’t get thrown over in rougher waters.
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Step 5
Practice safety while rowing. If you are not careful while rowing, you can create a disturbance for yourself that would throw the stability off. Rowing too aggressively could cause waves that your canoe cannot handle and may make it unstable. Use just enough force to move the canoe at a steady pace and your stability will not be at risk.
