ONTAP - Paddling Techniques

2. Paddling Techniques Part 2:
Types of Paddle Stokes
http://www.wikihow.com/Paddle-a-Canoe

3. Paddling Techniques
• Before learning about some specific paddling
techniques, watch these two videos to review
proper paddling form and as an introduction
to some paddling techniques.
https://youtu.be/f3XIWpEn3_Y
https://vimeo.com/111062590

4. Forward Stroke
• Simple stroke used to
propel the canoe forward.
• Grip hand should be at
the top of the paddle
shaft at eye level.
• Power is generated from
your torso not your arms.
• Rotate the shoulder of
your paddle side forward,
plant the paddle in the
water and rotate your
shoulders back.
http://www.outdoors.org/articles/amc-outdoors/five-essential-canoe-paddle-strokes/

5. Forward Stroke
• In a 2 person canoe, the
person in the front should
paddle on one side of the
canoe while the paddler in the
back should keep the canoe
moving straight by paddling on
either side of the canoe using
the J-stroke.
• Switch sides frequently so that
you don't put too much stress
on one side.
• It is most efficient to paddle
on the left side of the canoe
when the right hand is on top
of the paddle.
• It is most efficient to paddle
on the right side of the canoe
when the left hand is on top of
the paddle.
• A common mistake is to have
the paddle blade too far out
from the canoe. This results in
propelling the canoe forward,
but it also makes it turn.
• The paddle should be parallel
to the centre or keel line of
the canoe, with the paddle
blade entering the water at
roughly a right angle to the
direction of travel.
https://home.uia.no/mirib14/practical-informations/canoeing-technique/

6. J-Stroke
The J-stroke helps the paddler in the back to keep the canoe going
straight. The J-stroke begins with the standard forward stroke. At the end
of the forward stroke, twist the paddle with the grip (top) hand so that
the thumb of the grip hand is pointing downward.
The power face of the paddle is the one pulled against the water in the
forward stroke. In the J-stroke, at the end of forward stroke, the power
face is turned outward, away from the canoe.
https://home.uia.no/mirib14/practical-informations/canoeing-technique/

7. J-Stroke
• You can review the proper J-Stroke technique with the
video found at:
https://youtu.be/NSHKjgjJKE0
www.returnofkings.com

8. Draw Stroke
• Used from the bow or
when paddling solo.
• Moves the boat
sideways or to change
direction.
• Done on the side you
are paddling on.
• Face the stroke, plant
the paddle and pull the
boat towards the
paddle.www.scoutingmagazine.org
http://www.outdoors.org/articles/amc-outdoors/five-essential-canoe-paddle-strokes/

9. Draw Stroke
• You can review the proper Draw Stroke
technique with the video found at:
https://youtu.be/uZkXWqdl_dE

10. Cross Draw Stroke
• Used by the bow paddler
to help turn the canoe.
• Same technique as a
regular draw stroke but
the paddle is put on the
opposite side you are
paddling on.
• If you want the canoe to
turn right and you are
paddling on the left, use
the cross draw stroke on
the right side to turn
right.
http://www.templateof.com/post_kayak-bow-draw_41337/
http://www.outdoors.org/articles/amc-outdoors/five-essential-canoe-paddle-strokes

11. Cross Draw Stroke
• You can review the proper Cross Draw Stroke
technique with the video found at:
https://youtu.be/yS2Wf2XsapQ

12. Pry Stroke
• This is the opposite of the
Draw Stroke and used
from the stern to turn.
• At the end of the forward
stroke, turn your torso
towards the water. Your
grip hand should be over
the canoe’s gunwale and
your shaft hand at waist
level parallel to the boat.
Pry the blade outward by
pulling in your grip hand.
http://www.outdoors.org/articles/amc-outdoors/five-essential-canoe-paddle-strokes
www.scoutingmagazine.org

13. Pry Stroke
• You can review the proper Pry Stroke
technique with the video found at:
https://youtu.be/11P7YHl_yfk

14. Sweep Stroke
• For a stern sweep stroke,
the stern paddler reaches
out to his/her paddling side.
• The paddle blade should
enter the water at a 90o
angle to the side of the
canoe.
• The blade is swept back
towards the stern.
• This stroke propels the
canoe forward and turns it
to the stern paddler’s
offside.
http://www.trailspace.com/articles/how-to-paddle-canoe-strokes-techniques.html

15. Sweep Stroke
• For a Bow Sweep Stroke,
the paddle begins nearly
even with the bow of the
canoe.
• Sweep to nearly
perpendicular with the
canoe to finish the stroke.
• This stroke propels the
canoe forward and turns
it to the bow paddler’s
offside.
http://www.lchr.org/a/29/6t/outdoors/canoe/strokes.html
http://www.lchr.org/a/29/6t/outdoors/canoe/strokes.html

16. Sweep Stroke
• You can review the proper Sweep Stroke
technique with the video found at:
https://youtu.be/6XPKv-8VDbw

17. Back Stroke
• The stern and bow back
stroke are used to slow
down the canoe when
coming into a landing.
• It is the reverse of the
forward stroke.
http://www.trailspace.com/articles/how-to-paddle-canoe-strokes-techniques.html

18. Back Stroke
• You can review the proper Back Stroke
technique with the video found at:
https://youtu.be/WGzUnE043iA