How to Steer a Canoe

Whether on a wide, calm lake, a meandering river or in white-knuckle rapids, knowing how to guide a canoe to the destination you want is one of the most basic requirements to having a good time in a canoe. For the beginner, it can be a slow and delicate process, but with practice and the proper mechanics, steering a canoe can be just as simple as steering a car.

Things You'll Need

• Canoe
• Paddle
• Lake or river
• Bow paddler

Instructions

1. 

   The forward stroke is a simple stroke used to propel the canoe forward through the water. Assuming you have a partner and are in a two-person canoe, this is about the only stroke the bow (front) partner will ever have to use. As all actual steering should be done by the stern (back) partner. This stroke should follow an imaginary straight line through the water, not the curved side of the canoe. Following the curvature of the canoe will send the canoe ever so slightly off course with every stroke. This wastes energy that would be better used propelling the canoe. The sister stroke to the front stroke is the back stroke, used to slow and stop the canoe.

2. 

   The draw stroke is performed by reaching away from the canoe (not too far if you like being dry) and pulling the paddle back to the canoe through the water. If performed at the same time and on the same side of the canoe by both partners this will cause the canoe to move laterally through the water. Though it is possible to steer with this stroke, it is not efficient or advisable. The exception to this is shooting rapids. While shooting rapids of any category, the bow partner should use the draw stroke to quickly steer the canoe away from obstacles.

3. 

   The "J" stroke is one of the strokes used by the stern partner to affect the forward path of the canoe through the water. To perform this stroke, begin by executing a forward stroke, but push the paddle away from the canoe about halfway through the stroke. Properly executed, this will push the aft of the canoe in the opposite direction as the stroke. For example, if the stroke is executed on the right side of the canoe, the aft will be pushed left. This will adjust the path of the canoe to the right. If executed on the left side of the canoe, the aft will push right, adjusting the path to the left.

4. 

   The "C" stroke is a sort of combination between forward the stroke and a draw. Begin the forward stroke with your paddle as far away from the canoe as you can reasonably reach. At the halfway point of the stroke, curve the paddle back towards the canoe. If executed on the right side of the canoe, this will draw the aft of the canoe to the right. This will alter the direction of the canoe to the left.

5. To maintain a straight line through the water, both partners should paddle with equal energy and on opposite sides of the canoe. Having one partner paddle harder than the other will cause the canoe to drift off course. This will actually waste energy, as the stern partner will constantly have to adjust the course of the canoe.

Tips & Warnings

• Note that the C-stroke is not necessary to steer a canoe, as executing the J-stroke on either side of the canoe is enough to get you anywhere you want to go. However, since both partners must paddle on opposite sides of the canoe to maintain a straight path through the water, using the C-stroke will allow you to steer effectively without having to switch sides.

• To avoid muscle fatigue, both partners should switch sides every once in awhile.

• Beginners should be very careful when executing a draw stroke, as this is the stroke with the highest probability of tipping a canoe.

• Wearing life jackets in any watercraft is always a good idea.

Resources

• Canoeing.com