Learn the Basics of How to Canoe
The peace and tranquility of floating across the water in a canoe is enough to take your mind off your troubles, at least while you are on the water. Assuming of course you don’t tip over, end up in the water and lose your car keys. Don’t worry, we are here to help that from not happening.
If you’re bringing a canoe, check the local authorities to make sure canoeing isn’t prohibited and whether you need a license.
When you’re just learning how to canoe, it’s easiest if you partner with a more experienced partner for paddling tips and to feel comfortable on the water. Your state’s Department of Natural Resources most likely offers lessons on how to canoe and kayak; however, because of COVID-19, many lessons have been put on hold until summer 2021.
It’s best to start on a lake when it’s not windy (wind makes it more difficult to steer) or in the calm part of a river. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll see how fun it is to maneuver through the windy conditions with confidence and canoe through faster currents with ease.
What to bring
· Always, always, always wear a life jacket or buoyancy vest — even if you’re a strong swimmer.
· Wear sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen to protect you from the sun. For day trips, bring along a change of clothing and pack it in a waterproof bag in case your canoe overturns. Wear lightweight shoes to protect your feet from debris at the bottom of the lake or river, or when portaging your canoe across rocks. Chances are, you’ll get wet while you’re canoeing, so you’ll want shoes and clothes that dry quickly.
· Bring your camera so you can share images of your canoe adventure on Shrpa but store it in a waterproof pouch for safe keeping.
· Do the same with your cell phone, other electronics, and your keys. To be extra safe, secure the pouch on the canoe with a carabiner clip so you don’t have to hitch a ride home after your journey because your keys are at the bottom of the lake.
· Bring enough water, food, and nutritious snacks to keep up your strength for paddling. While part of the enjoyment of canoeing is lying back to enjoy the quiet, you still have to reach your destination. And if it’s windy or you struggle to keep the canoe on a straight course, you don’t want to be tired, dehydrated, or weak from hunger.
· Keep a small first aid kit in a plastic pouch for emergencies, and bring along a pocketknife.
Lesson 1: How to get into the canoe
Really, you ask, how hard can it be to get into a canoe? Well, if the canoe isn’t positioned correctly, if you don’t balance yourself properly and lower your center of gravity (i.e., bend your knees), you could end up in the water before you even begin.
While it might seem that resting the canoe half in the water and half on land is more stable, it actually makes the canoe more wobbly and easier to tip. And climbing into a wobbly canoe is bound to land you right in the water. To get safely into the canoe, put it fully in the water while another person holds the canoe firmly between their knees.
When you’re paddling in tandem with a partner, the first person to get into the canoe will be sitting in the stern (the rear of the canoe). This person, called the sternman, is responsible for steering the canoe and is typically the more experienced canoer.
Once the sternman is seated, it’s your turn to climb in. As the bowman, you’ll be sitting in the front of the boat (the bow). Once you’re in the canoe, bend your knees, keep your body low and your balance centered. Hold onto both sides of the canoe, then turn around to face the front, and gently lower yourself either on the canoe seat or, if it’s windy, on the floor.
When you’re canoeing alone, you’ll have better balance by sitting in the middle of the canoe, but you’ll have more paddling control by sitting at the stern.
Lesson 2: Use the right-size paddle
Canoe paddles come in different sizes and should be fitted to your height. If the paddles are too short or too tall, your strokes will be less efficient and more cumbersome.
When you’re sitting in the canoe, the top of the paddle (the grip) should be at your eyes or nose, and the point at where the blade and the shaft are connected (the throat) should be at the waterline. This will help you push off the water with the larger part of the blade, making the canoe move forward more easily.
Lesson 3: How to paddle in tandem
As the bowman, your job is to set the pace by moving the canoe forward with each stroke of the paddle. The sternman’s role is to match your pace, keep the canoe going in a straight line and steer it in the right direction.
To move in a straight line, the bowman and sternman synchronize their strokes by starting and stopping each stroke at the same time but on opposite sides of the canoe, then switching at the same time to paddle on the other side.
It’s important to switch sides rhythmically to keep your canoe from moving off course. You and your partner will want to set up a signal, such as the designated person calling out “switch” when it’s time to paddle on the other side.
Lesson 4: Paddling techniques for the bowman
Your strokes should be steady and rhythmic, with a strong pull along the side of the canoe. Sit with a straight back, fold your top hand over the grip and hold it firmly. Your bottom hand will sit at the throat of the paddle (right above the blade). Hold the paddle out to make sure you have the proper position. Your hands should be about shoulder width apart, making your strokes more accurate and powerful.
Then, with torso turned and arms fully stretched, completely submerge the blade in the water and, keeping the blade vertical, pull back until your bottom hand is slightly behind your shoulder. Pull the blade out of the water, reach forward with your arms and shoulder, and submerge the blade in the water again to start the next stroke. This basic technique is called the forward stroke.
Lesson 5: Paddling techniques for the sternman
When canoeing in tandem, the bowman’s forward stroke can pull the canoe slightly off course. To bring it back in line, the sternman uses a J stroke to make minor directional corrections.
When you’re in the sternman position, you’ll using the same forward stroke as the bowman, but at the end rotate your grip hand so your thumb is pointed downward. Push the paddle slightly down and use your lower hand to make a quick “J” with the paddle in the water to get back on course.
Lesson 6: How to turn the canoe
The easiest way to turn a canoe is to paddle on the opposite side. So, if you want to go right, paddle on the left side. If you want to go left, paddle on the right side.
There are other techniques you can try when you get more experienced. But for now, these strokes will work to get you from one point of the lake to another.
Now that you know the basics of recreational canoeing, gather your equipment and head for the nearest — or more distant — lake or river for a daytime adventure.
Bonus Tip: If you are canoeing down a river or across a big lake, take two cars and follow one another to the take-out spot of your journey, then you both hop in the other car and head to the put-in spot (where you start). This way you do not have to paddle up the river or back across the lake, just make sure both cars can transport the canoe.
Here are a few of our favorite canoe trips
