Rain, rain, go away, come again... when HKR 2545 isn't out to play!
What you need to know before getting in a canoe
Canoes, Kayaks, Rowboats, Rowing,Shells and Other Human-Powered Boats:
1. One (1) lifejacket or PFD/person on board (It's not regulated that this must be worn but let's just use some common sense here and incase you find yourself a little shy of common sense today let me help you out? Say for instance you capsize and hit your head on the way into the water a PFD isn't going to do you any favours when it's floating beside you.)
2. One (1) buoyant heaving line at least 15 m (49’3”) long
3. *One (1) reboarding device
Should you have anymore questions about Rule & Regulations according to the watercraft you are using please see their Safe Boating Guide.
Safe Boating Guide |
Another way to test if a paddle is the right length for you is your wingspan, length of arms hand to hand.
The Who, What, When, Where and Why of canoe paddles
2011-2012-bending-branches-catalog.pdf |
Different Strokes for Different Folks
Sometimes called the “pull-to,” the draw stroke is used to change the direction of the canoe. It can also be used to move the canoe sideways, such as when you’re pulling alongside a dock. Reach out as far as possible with the shaft hand and place the paddle into the water. Then push your gripping hand outward while pulling your shaft hand inward; this creates leverage and moves the canoe in the direction of your paddling side.
This is the opposite of the draw stroke. It’s used to push the canoe away from the paddling side. Place the blade in the water parallel to the boat; it should be as close to the canoe as possible, even tilted a bit so it’s almost underneath the boat. Your gripping hand should be out over the water as far as you can reach. Pull in with the grip hand while pushing out with the shaft hand.
This is a forward stroke with a hook on the end. It is most often used by solo paddlers and by stern paddlers who are stronger than their partners. Its purpose is to compensate for the canoe’s tendency to turn during the simple forward stroke. It does not replace the forward stroke but instead supplements it when necessary. The J-stroke is so-named because it traces a letter “J” in the water when done on the port (left) side of the boat. Begin as you would for a forward stroke, but when the paddle blade crosses to the back of your body, twist the shaft so that the blade turns outward. On the port side, this means turning the blade clockwise. Reverse the motion for paddling on the starboard (right) side.
Reach forward with both the shaft and grip hands and place the paddle in the water. Then simply draw it straight back with the face of the blade perpendicular to the water, twisting your torso through the stroke. When you withdraw the paddle from the water for the next stroke, “feather” it (swinging the blade forward, flat above the water’s surface) to reduce wind resistance. When equally matched, the bow and stern paddlers can act in rhythm with each other, each staying on opposite sides of the canoe until tired. Then switch sides.
This is the reverse of the forward stroke. Simply reach back with both hands and place the paddle in the water to the rear of your body. Then pull forward, with the flat side of the blade perpendicular to the canoe. Feather the blade as you reach back for another stroke. The backward stroke is used to stop the canoe when you already have forward momentum or slow it in moving water. If used by the bow paddler on one side of the boat while the stern paddler uses the forward stroke on the other side, it can be used to pivot the boat.
paddle_strokes.pdf |
Parts of the Canoe
The "Unwanted" Lesson
This resulted in me and my partner being the first to experience a position switch while on the water. While it may sound like this experience scared me based on how I'm talking it really didn't. Two canoe in the class came on each side of us allowing for better stability. My petite partner at the front got into the hull and was instructed to pray (silliness) after which it was my turn to move to the front while staying low to the canoe. We played a quick little game of leap frog then I got into position at the bow. At which point she moved to the stern. The stability of the canoes on each side of us was nice because it really did make a person feel secure when moving
Personal Reflection
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So while on the pond with my class the song My Paddle's Keen and Bright kept playing in my head, thanks to my Girl Guides of Canada nature. Learn it and maybe if we ever find ourselves together we can sing it in a round?