STEP ONE: Sit in the canoe properly. Be sure to sit up straight with your back straight and feet on the bottom of the canoe. And this position keeps you centered. Relax your grip: Hold the paddle with two hands: One on top of the paddle, one on the bottom. Your arms are straight, your hands are shoulder-width apart. This will provide better control of the paddle.
Now that you’re sitting the way you should, it’s time to learn how to paddle. Maintain a vertical position of the paddle in front of you. Gently dip the tip of the paddle into the water. Next, draw the paddle back toward your hip and lift it out the water when it gets near. Ensure that you do the same thing on the opposite side of the canoe. This forward and backward motion helps maintain straightness in the canoe. If you only paddle on one side, the canoe will turn or spin, so it is very important to paddle evenly on both sides.
A J-stroke is another essential canoeing technique. This stroke enables you to guide and continue keeping the canoe straight. Then start doing it on one side of the canoe to J-stroke. When your paddle is submerged, twist your wrist outward a little to form a J shaped motion as you're pulling your paddle back toward your hip. This motion assists in guiding the canoe where you want to be headed to stopping it from veering off course.
Sweep Stroke: The sweep stroke is used when you want to turn the canoe sharply. To execute this stroke, plant your paddle in the water near your hip on one side of the canoe. You dip the paddle in the water, then push it away from the canoe as you make a wide arc until it hits the other side. That smooth motion is what enables you to turn the canoe where you want it to go.
Draw Stroke– The draw stroke allows you to move your canoe sideways. To execute the draw stroke, place your paddle in the water parallel to the canoe, a foot or so in front of where you are sitting. When you draw the paddle into your body, leave it in the water. This will swing the canoe (side slide) in the direction that your pulling the paddle.
Selecting the right paddle is vital for an enjoyment canoe trip. How To Choose A Paddle for Kayak Beginners? The paddle length will depend on your height as well as the kind of canoe you have. For beginners, a wider paddle is typically better because it allows for greater stability. That makes it less prone to tipping over. On the flip side, for advanced paddlers, a narrower paddle is ideal to achieve greater speed and control.
Since a paddle is such a critical piece of hardware for kayaking, you need to ensure that it's in top shape, so make sure to clean it after every use. Just rinse it out with water and dry it with a towel. This is why it’s super important to store your paddle in the right place. You can lean it against a wall or hang it up on hooks. Properly storing them: Store the paddle in a dry place to avoid bending or warping.
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