The Right Way to Paddle a Canoe

Canoeing is something that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. To get the most enjoyment out of canoeing, a well fitted paddle and the proper techniques for paddling should be observed.

The Fit

If a paddle is too short or too long, it will be difficult to properly paddle and it will be rather inefficient. Fitting a paddle is quite simple. The blade of the paddle should be placed on the top of the foot. It is never a good idea to have the blade touch the ground. This can easily damage the surface of the blade when struck against a rock or the ground itself.

If it is in this range, it is the right fit.If it is too long, it will be difficult to manage. A paddle that is too small will not provide enough thrust and the user will feel as if he has to bend down towards the water to paddle.

The Grip

When holding the paddle, one hand needs to be firmly on top of the handle. It should be gripped around the handle and the thumb should be underneath and pointing towards the front of the boat. The other hand should be approximately shoulder with away from the top hand. It should be gripped securely around the shaft of the paddle.

The Stroke

When it comes to the actual motion of paddling, the most important thing is to remember that the back is used and paddling is not solely done with the arms. A good way to have perfect form is to imagine an imaginary string attached from the nose to the top of the handle. By following this, the perfect amount of back movements and twisting will be done.

Canoeing is a wonderful sport and hobby. With a properly sized paddle and some simple techniques, miles of effortless paddling can be achieved by anyone.

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