10 Common Canoeing Mistakes
6-minute read
Paddlesports rep and canoeist Ethan put this video together for his YouTube channel Happy Paddlin’. He points out ten common mistakes canoeists make.
(Photo courtesy of Harold Born)
Ethan has been a rep and participant in the paddling industry for three decades. He’s got some great advice we thought we’d share with you to help boost your canoeing skills.
Being aware of and correcting these will make your canoeing experiences more enjoyable overall. You’ll have less frustration, less fatigue and more joy on the water.
Let’s watch:
Mistake #1: Using Your Arms Too Much
If the only body parts that move when you paddle a canoe are your arms, your strokes are super inefficient. Instead, your entire upper body should be engaged.
Ethan calls it the “chin-up bar” position. If you hold your paddle over your head and position your hands as if it were a chin-up bar, that’s where your hands should be positioned when you paddle, with the “top” hand holding the grip.
Use your grip arm from the shoulder to drive the paddle downward while your lower arm pulls back. Your core should rotate along with your shoulders and arms. This movement gives each stroke more power with less effort.
Mistake #2: Not Using the Full Stroke Range
It’s quite common for new canoeists to keep their strokes short and choppy. Doing that means you’re not taking advantage of your full range of motion. No matter which stroke you’re doing, you want to use your full horizontal and vertical reach to make it count.
Your strokes will be more effective when you use that full range of motion. Fewer movements (and with your core, shoulders and arms) but more distance with each.
Mistake #3: Pulling Back Too Far
On the other hand, it’s important not to pull back too far on your forward stroke while the power face of your paddle is still vertical in the water. Why? Because as your stroke naturally comes up, the power face is lifting the water up instead of pushing it back. That’s less efficient and very tiring.
Instead, lift your paddle so the power face glides out of the water, or turn it on the back end of the stroke. You want the power face in position while the paddle is vertical in the water.
(Photo courtesy of Mat Willder)
Mistake #4: Choosing a Compromised Boat
What Ethan means here is that you want to choose your canoe based on the type of paddling you’re most likely to do. Different canoes are designed for different purposes. Yours needs to fit the purposes you have for your paddling life.
His example is that if you plan to paddle solo 80-90% of the time, buy a solo canoe. You can always rent a canoe for those times you decide you want a tandem for a multi-day trip that demands more space.
Mistake #5: Using the Goon Stroke
For stern paddlers, the goon stroke is when you use the power face of your paddle as a brake at the end of your stroke instead of doing a true j-stroke. This happens when you use one face for your forward stroke, then push back with the other face at the end.
The goon stroke becomes very cumbersome in flatwater paddling. It’s less efficient and more tiring. A true j-stroke uses the same power face throughout your stroke, with that correctional rotation at the end.
Mistake #6: Not Conditioning
Paddlers can avoid early-season and “weekend warrior” soreness and injury by keeping fit throughout the year. Work your core, shoulders and arms in between your canoe excursions so those muscles are ready for the workout they’ll get.
Another example: Ethan likes to kneel in his solo canoe, so he works on that on his yoga mat at home, especially during the off-season.
Mistake #7: Cheaping Out on Your Paddle
Many new paddlers use up their whole budget on a nice canoe, then buy the cheapest paddle they see as an afterthought. Instead of opting for a heavy, clunky paddle, save some of your budget for a lightweight, quality paddle that’s a great match for that nice canoe you just bought.
Because your paddle is your connection with the water—your motor, really—a better paddle will give you better performance, will last for years and just be more enjoyable to paddle with.
Most avid canoeists have a collection of paddles so they have options in different water environments and conditions. A paddle isn’t just a paddle!
(Photo courtesy of Kate Wright)
Mistake #8: Not Trimming Properly
What he means here is when the weight in your canoe is uneven based on the type of canoe you’re paddling, who else is with you, and the wind. If you find yourself constantly having to make correctional strokes, check the “trim” in your canoe.
If a dog is with you, be sure it’s not making your boat bow or stern-heavy. Same with a child. In a tandem, when the two paddlers are very unequal in weight, that can cause issues. So be aware of weight distribution and keep it even.
Ethan notes that he keeps a waterproof bag with him every time he’s in his canoe. It has enough safety gear that it weighs about 20 pounds. He can move it around easily to help keep his canoe trimmed and moving well on the water.
Mistake #9: Going Too Heavy Duty
Some paddlers make the mistake of buying a canoe that’s so heavy-duty and durable—maybe for the one wilderness trip they plan to take—that it’s too heavy to load and carry.
Emphasizing durability over portability too much will mean you won’t use your canoe as much as you’d hoped. It’ll just be too awkward and heavy to get out, load on your vehicle, and use as frequently as you’d like to.
Mistake #10: Not Paddling Enough!
Not everyone wants to make canoeing a major part of their life. But if you want to become a proficient canoeist who enjoys your time out on the water, you need to get on the water regularly.
(Photo courtesy of Brandon Born)
Every day can help improve your skills. Windy days offer a chance for you to practice steering strokes and trimming your canoe properly. Using your core and upper body while you paddle will come naturally as you practice it. The more you’re on the water, the easier multi-day wilderness trips are.
Originally from Minnesota, Ethan developed a strong love for canoeing with childhood trips into the Boundary Waters and the Mississippi River Valley of Minnesota/Wisconsin.
He's been the Western sales representative for Bending Branches and other leading paddlesports brands for over 20 years. He extensively travels the western US supporting paddling shops and outfitters, and sharing his passion for paddling on his social channels @happypaddlin.
See more of Ethan's YouTube content.
What paddling questions can our friendly Customer Service team help you with? Contact us at 715-755-3405 or bbinfo@bendingbranches.com, or choose our online chat option.
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