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ON THE WATER
Congratulations! You've made it on the water. Now it's time to control this beast of a boat that seems to have a mind of its own. In theory, paddling is really rather simple. There are only three types of strokes: propelling, turning and bracing. But just these three strokes can seem somewhat daunting when one considers the multitude of variations and stroke combinations. At the most advanced levels, just a simple flex of the wrist can alter the direction of travel and the angle of the boat.
Check first to make sure you're holding your paddle correctly.
For canoeists: Choose the side of the canoe on which you want to paddle. This side becomes your on-side. Your hand on this side is the shaft hand (i.e., the hand that holds the shaft of the paddle). Your other hand is the grip hand, which rests on top of the paddle's grip and controls the angle of the blade. Your hands should be spaced comfortably about shoulder width apart, and your arms should remain mostly straight. If you plan to tandem paddle with one partner often, remember that you need have opposite on-sides.
For kayakers: Hold the paddle horizontal above and resting on your head. Slide your hands apart such that your elbows are bent at right angles. Lower the paddle in front of you and make sure that your hands are an equal distance from each blade.
For you logical types, there are a few basic principles for achieving maximum efficiency from a paddle stroke. First for maximum power transfer, angle the blade perpendicular to the force of resistance. In other words, when you want to move the canoe forward, hold the paddle vertically such that the face of the blade points flat towards the rear. Also, as you apply power through the stroke, ensure that the blade remains vertical to the water's surface. Any alterations to the lateral and vertical angles of the blade will either affect a turning motion or create lift of the water (wasted energy if you're just trying to go straight.
A second principle is to face your work, and apply power from your major muscle groups. You'll find that you have much more strength and endrance in your back and shoulders than in just your arms. Therefore, by rotating your torso and unwinding through the stroke, you'll go further than from just pulling on the paddle with your arms. Also by rotating your torso such that your chest always faces your paddles, you'll protect yourself from possible shoulder injuries. When you first start out, this principle is easily applied by watching the blade throughout each stroke. As you gain experience, you'll be able to rotate your body effectively while looking in any direction; usually the direction you want to go.
The basic strokes are really pretty simple. If you want to turn to the left, take a wide-reaching sweep stroke on the right. If you want to use a forward stroke keep your paddle close-in and parallel to the centerline. If you want to move sideways, place the paddle out to the side and draw yourself to it. Try each of these strokes on both sides and in reverse too.
Yet one more thing to keep in mind as you experiment and practice, is that eventually you may capsize ("swim", "flip"). If you're in a canoe, no problem, just fall out. Since you're already as always, wearing your PFD (lifejacket), you don't have to worry about staying afloat. Do your best to hold on to your boat and paddle. If you're on moving water, float on your back with your feet on the surface of the water. Even in shallow water, with a current, a river can be a death trap if your feet become entrapped under a rock. While holding your boat and paddle in one hand, you can use the other hand to do a side stroke towards the nearest shore or eddy. Fight that instinct to stand up and wait to do so only when you are out of the current.
If you are in a kayak and you capsize, you need a little more patience. Gravity will still do the work to get you out, but you need to relax and keep your legs straight. As soon as you flip over tuck forward and pull on the spray deck grab loop (which should be right in front of you). Slide your hands on the deck behind you and carefully push out while doing an upside-down somersault. Wait until your feet are completely out of the kayak before you come to the surface. The whole process only takes a few seconds, but it's worth practicing a couple of times to reduce any anxiety about being upside-down under water. Again, try to grab your boat and paddle before they float away. If you're on calm, flat water, your partner may be able to help you drain and re-enter your boat without swimming to shore.
As with most things, you'll get out of it what you put into it. A few simple lessons from a qualified instructor will speed up your learning process dramatically and help you explore new paddling adventures.
Finally, if you'd like to read more about paddling techniques, contact the American Canoe Association at (703) 451-0141. We offer a wide selection of instruction manuals and videos in canoeing, river/whitewater kayaking, coastal/sea kayaking and river rescue, to help you fully understand the dynamics of paddlesport.
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