Canoe Paddling - Canadian Style

A short demo reel for a planned "how to" video that will help understand the principles of how to paddle a canoe in the traditional Canadian style of paddling.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• canoe
• canoeing
• canadian
• paddle
• style
• instruction

[MrAnthony1a]

Wow, I've never seen anyone paddle like this. Glad I watched this video

[kanuhed]

Glad you enjoyed it. For what it's worth... this style of paddling goes back a long way in the history of the area where I learned to paddle. The roots of the paddling style go right back to aboriginal birch bark canoes which never had seats as we know them. Chairs were not part of aboriginal culture and it was natural to kneel in the hull of a canoe in a position that made sense for the load being carried. In addition, many of strokes used to control a canoe involved precision and quiet.

[woro90]

Be fair to the conventional J-stroke, I have never seen any experienced paddler use it like you show it - it can be smooth if you want it smooth ;) But maybe I'm using some kind of hybrid stroke and consider it a J-stroke, my attitude has always been "if it works well, who cares if it has a name and a thick book on how to do it properly". Otherwise I love this video, it's so inspiring and it shows the elegance and manoueverability of properly paddled canoe so well...

[kanuhed]

I hope the message people get from watching these videos is subtle control. Nothing wrong with the J stroke, but you can gain efficiency by changing a few things. The "

Guide" or "Canadian" stroke I reference is a natural evolution of the J stroke that most paddlers naturally fall into over time. My observations would suggest that folks who are in tune with their bodies, and spend long periods of time steering a canoe naturally develop the Guide stroke most of the time.

[agualotus]

I'll be going into the boundary waters for my fist time, can this control be achieved while all the packs are on board? Also there will be two of us in the boat, will that matter?

[kanuhed]

The control is possible with two people and packs, though you won't heel the canoe on it's side as shown when paddled solo. Keep in mind that a solo paddler has to do both bow and stern portions of the stroke. When you paddle with a partner you only do half of the movements.

[kanuhed]

The video depicts skills passed on from the Aboriginal tribes in this area. Birch bark canoes didn't come with seats, hence the leaned position. Beyond that, the mechanical principles apply universally. There is some content that would be useful in the Boundary Waters. For those who can't bend knees, you can always sit on the bottom of the canoe. It's worthwhile trying some of this to better understand the mechanics of paddling.

[kanuhed]

Actually, the skills in this video do help a lot in negotiating fast moving water. If nothing else, it sure helps develop a paddler's sense of balance and knowing where the gunnels are in relation to water. For example, when riding haystacks, there's a move a paddler can do at the last min to keep the boat dry that involves an aggressive lean just as you crest the wave. Bottom line, the more time you spend learning boat control, the better you are in any kind of water.

[SHIBAInuFilms]

Paddling the school canoe? Ohh you better believe that's a paddlin'

[zasvedogovore]

I have learned paddling. Thank you

[v10lav10la]

I learned to paddle by the watch and copy method during long wilderness trips in Ontario years ago. No one I know here in the USA paddles like this. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I am glad to realize how cultural paddling is.

[Ape65]

Interesting technique, especially if you have a small canoe. I find that if the canoe is smaller than a certain critical size, it tends to be very unstable. People often make the mistake of using too small a canoe, because they think it will be easier.

[looloorex]

THIS is AWESOME !!! Thanks for sharing !! =)

[bennys4u]

@agualotus FANTASTIC VIDEO ON HOW TO! These strokes will save you from those branches in fast moving waters. I have been an avid canoe paddler for years and the j stroke is my favorite. I have never seen it displayed in the manner you have in this video. Keep Paddling!