Paddling Your Canoe
If you bought a canoe without having much previous experience you may need a few lessons. In addition to resources available here, we recommend that you contact a guide or instructor in your area. However, it's best to get some instruction sooner than later. A great resource to get instruction is from fellow paddlers, so joining a local paddling club is also a very good way to get some help. Down in Dallas, TX there is the Dallas Down River Club. Many learn as youths in organizations such as the Boy Scouts or at summer camp. Another great way to learn is to join one of the many local or national groups that also promote paddle sports such as the American Canoe Association. Look to MeetUp and Yahoo for groups to joins as well.
There are several types of paddles that one can use while canoeing. Single blade straight paddles are the most traditional.They come in several materials and with different handles. Wood, aluminum, and carbon are some of the more popular materials used to make them.
There are also bent shaft paddles and double bladed paddles. Some canoeist use tall single bladed paddles being used now for the SUP - Stand Up Paddle- crafts, to paddle their canoes standing up.
Common strokes are the J stroke, draw and pry. Recreational paddling will have different paddle methods than a racer may have as the goals of each paddler change. Using a single blade paddle has many advantages over a double blade paddle for tight control and quick tight spots. The double blade allows the canoeist to keep a quick rhythm of strokes and an even ride as the power comes for alternating sides. The downside is water is slowly accumulate in the canoe. The double blade paddles can also introduce a bit more noise than a single blade.
email your suggestions, requests to info@canoeadventures.net
As I was walkin' - I saw a sign there
And that sign said - no tress passin'
But on the other side .... it didn't say nothin!
Now that side was made for you and me!
from "This Land is Your Land" by Woody Guthrie
