| Just like anything else paddling a canoe can be easy | | | | veer of the straight line. |
| and fun, but it takes practice to get good at it. | | | | The J-stroke, so named because it looks like you are |
| Navigating flat waters is the easiest, because about | | | | writing the letter J in the water, is a stroke used for |
| the only thing you really have to worry about is aching | | | | steering or turning. Starting out as a forward stroke |
| arm muscles the next day. Going forward and | | | | you end the stroke by rotating in the paddle and |
| backward on relatively flat water is pretty easy. | | | | pushing it away from the boat. This stroke is most |
| Problems arise when wind and waves or rapids come | | | | commonly used by the bowman when maneuvering |
| into play. In order to overcome these obstacles you'll | | | | the canoe in reverse or backferrying in white water. |
| need to have several strokes in your arsenal. | | | | There are two strokes used by the stern man, the |
| There are several different paddling strokes and each | | | | Superior and the Pry stroke. The Pry stroke can be |
| one is used at different times depending on the current | | | | used from either side of the boat. The paddle is |
| situation. Using the right stroke at the right time allows | | | | inserted vertically in the water, with the power face |
| you to navigate through the water in the direction you | | | | outward and the shaft braced against the gunwale. |
| want to go and in a manner that is safe. Often times | | | | The motion of the stroke is a gentle prying away from |
| the basics strokes are combined together or you | | | | the boat and this moves the boat in the opposite |
| might have to make a slight adjustment to the basic | | | | direction of the side. |
| stroke depending on your skill level and what is needed | | | | The Superior is the preferred stroke in rough water |
| at the moment. The main objective is to get your skills | | | | and is usually used in white water canoing. This is used |
| to the point where you can move the canoe smoothly | | | | to steer or guide the canoe and there is a hint of a pry |
| and efficiently. | | | | at the end of the motion. This stroke uses the other |
| By far the easiest stroke is the forward stroke. | | | | side of the power surface to steer the canoe. |
| Basically this stroke is used by the bowman to propel | | | | The best way to learn the basics of canoe paddling is |
| the canoe in a straight line. The paddle blade is put | | | | from an expert. There are a lot of other strokes that |
| forward and dipped into the water. It is then drawn | | | | need to be mastered. These include the push-away |
| straight back. This stroke can be used on the right or | | | | stroke, the running pry, the draw stroke, the scull and |
| left side of the boat. It is imperative that the paddle be | | | | the reverse skull, the cross-draw stroke and the |
| kept straight when drawn backward or the boat will | | | | sweep. |