Paddling strokes and partners

I like to compare dancing and canoeing, and there are many similarities. In both sports you get to pick your partner. As they say, it takes two to tango. It also takes two to paddle a canoe. You are out there dancing or paddling for your own enjoyment. However, paddling is not "Dancing with the Stars" with the world watching your every move.

But when you are at a dance, you can decide if you want to polka, jitterbug, waltz ... or just sit one out. When you go canoeing you can decide if you want a big workout, a leisurely paddle or take pictures and read a book while your partner paddles along the shoreline.

Some people believe that you should never paddle with your spouse or significant other. I have seen partners arguing when they should be enjoying the moment. One person wanted to paddle hard and go fast, the other person wanted to enjoy the moment. They couldn't decide who was steering the canoe.

In the midst of a larger group, someone suggested that they switch partners. The new paddler asked her new partner, "Which side do you want me to paddle on?" He replied, "You can paddle on either side, change sides whenever you want, paddle at your own pace, take pictures. I got you covered." This was quite a contrast from the previous partner.

An important ingredient to happy paddling is your attitude. Like dancing with a partner, you need to practice paddling together with a willingness to compromise. Whose responsibility is it to steer the canoe? Who gets in and out of the canoe first? How fast do you want to go? When do you want to take a break, fish, etc.?

Don't expect your partner to know a bow rudder or a bow draw stroke. Demonstrate these strokes before you head out on the lake or river. Take a few minutes and practice these strokes so that when you need to use them, your partner knows how to use them, too. If you don't know these paddling strokes, the two of you may want to take some lessons from a more knowledgeable paddler or at a paddlesport shop.

When you are out on the dance floor, you do not want to be doing a polka when the band is playing a fox trot. Maybe somebody needs to show you a few different steps. It really helps to take a toolbox approach. You should be proficient doing a few different dance steps/paddle strokes. That way you can make the right move at the right time.

Sometimes when we are dancing, my wife will give me a gentle push on the back to tell me to stop going backward because I am about to crash into somebody. The same thing happens in the canoe. You need to help each other.

Whose responsibility is it to steer the canoe? Some people believe that only the person in the stern steers. This is not true. When the canoe is coming into a pier, a landing or the beginning of a portage trail, both paddlers need to steer the canoe. In fact, the bow paddler has the mechanical advantage in steering.

Think of other modes of transportation: A bicycle, a car or wagon. They are all steered with the front wheels. The same is true with a canoe. If the bow rudder and bow draw stroke are in your toolbox, both the stern and bow paddler can steer at the appropriate time. It is much simpler if the bow paddler does a bow rudder stroke or a draw stroke. When that happens, you have a smooth landing and everyone is happy. When you are coming into a pier, try coming into the pier on the windward side. Let the wind push you into the pier.

The same bow rudder and bow draw stroke are very helpful when you are trying to avoid hitting a rock or another canoe. The person in the bow sees the rock first and can easily steer around it. It's really nice to have these two paddle strokes in your toolbox. It is just like my wife on the dance floor telling me that I am about to crash into somebody.

When paddling in a straight line, the person in the stern controls the direction of the canoe. However, the stern paddler can ask for help at any time. When the wind or waves are blowing you off course and the stern paddler cannot keep the canoe on course, there is nothing wrong with the stern paddler requesting assistance. Go ahead and have two paddlers on the same side of the canoe or use a bow rudder stroke. If it works for you, go ahead and do it.

Some people believe and insist that the "J" stroke is the only proper stroke for a forward stroke. If you are just out for a leisurely canoe outing and the person in the bow was fly-fishing or taking pictures, the "J" stroke would be just fine. Any stroke would be fine and appropriate, and there is nothing wrong with the "J" stroke. However, if you are fighting your way upwind in whitecaps, the "J" stroke is not the most efficient.

"Whenever a paddle is used in this outward fashion, it impedes the forward progress of the canoe," writes Calvin Rutstrum in North American Canoe Country.

When you turn the blade at the end of the stroke, you are steering by applying a small rudder as a brake. When you are in hurry, or trying to get off the lake to avoid a storm, reach down into that toolbox of paddle strokes and pull out that straight stroke. Put the paddle into the water. As you pull back, push the paddle deeper into the water and rotate your shoulders. When your lower hand reaches your hip, stop the power stroke and ease the paddle out of the water. Switch sides to keep the canoe straight.

To be efficient, it is important that both paddlers are in sync, both paddles need to enter the water at the same time. There have been times when I was in the bow and knew that the stern paddler was not in sync with my cadence. If there is no storm on the horizon, I just take a deep breath of that fresh air, thank God for the beautiful environment and enjoy the moment.

The same holds true when the stern paddler is off course. Eventually the stern paddler will wake up and say, "Sorry, I was looking at the map," or "I was daydreaming." Your reply should be, "No problem." Your attitude and view of the big picture is important. We are going from point A to point B, and we will get there eventually.

Here is another situation. Your destination is 90 degrees to high winds and waves. Should you go parallel to the waves? Don't fight Mother Nature. She usually wins. Let the wind help you get safely to your destination. Simply put the bow of the canoe about 30 degrees into the wind, paddle gently to hold your relative forward position, and let the wind and waves ferry you across the lake to your destination. You will be amazed how easy and safe this can be.

The same technique should be used when you are trying to cross a fast-flowing stream. Instead of trying to go straight across and get swept downstream, put the bow of the canoe 30 or 40 degrees into the current. Paddle gently upstream and the current will carry you where you want to go.

So what's in your toolbox? Does it have the "J" stroke, straight stroke, bow rudder and draw strokes? You may not be the strongest paddler or know all the fancy strokes. You may not go in a straight line, but you should be out there having fun. Enjoy the moment as you learn more about paddling and about yourself. You need to know that whatever strokes you have in your toolbox, you will eventually get from point A to point B.