1. How to Paddle a Canoe
An Emma Lake Crash Course

2. Preparation
 Choose a brightly coloured pfd. It should be snug, yet
allow room for movement.
• Check the label to be sure your pfd has been approved
by transport Canada or the Coast Guard.

3. Preparation
• Choose your weapon
 
• Paddles come in many different shapes and sizes

4. Preparation
 Be sure your paddle is
the right length.
 Chin height or use a
friend and be sure that
your arms form a
90degreeangle.

5. Paddle Parts
Grip Throat Tip
Shaft Blade

6. Grip
 Hold the ‘grip’ of the paddle firmly with your top
hand.

7. Grip
 With your other hand, hold the ‘throat’ down near the
blade of the paddle. A lower grip will give you more
leverage.

8. The stroke
 Reach forward with both hands, putting your paddle
deep into the water. The entire blade of the paddle
should be submerged.

9. The Stroke
 Pull back parallel to the canoe. When the paddle is
in line with your body, this is the deepest point of the
stroke.

10. The Stroke
 Keep pulling the paddle until the blade is behind you
and your lower arm is fully extended.

11. The Stroke
 After reaching the end of your stroke,
 Lift your paddle out of the water
 Twist both hands until the blade is parallel to the water
 Reach forward and Repeat.