If you've never canoed before, you might be worried about not being able to steer the boat.Learning how to paddle by getting in and out of the boat is a good way to avoid these problems.With a paddle, a life jacket, and a good partner, you'll be ready to have an enjoyable canoeing experience that hopefully won't end with you in the water.
Step 1: The canoe should be close to the water.
You won't have to carry a heavy canoe to the launching point.There are lighter items in the canoe.There are heavy items at the center of the canoe.Make sure everything is in place so it doesn't shift.Pack things under the seats of the canoe so they don't shift when you're on the water.
Step 2: Make a bowman and a sternman.
The bowman and sternman are in the back of the canoe.Make someone look out for the bowman.The boat will be steered by the sternman.The sternman should be aware of any obstacles in the water so he can steer the canoe around them.The bowman knows when to switch sides with their paddle.
Step 3: Put on a life jacket.
It's important that you wear a life jacket.Make sure your life jacket fits.When you put it on, it should feel snug.Don't put a child in a life jacket.If you're canoeing with children, make sure they have child-sized life jackets.
Step 4: The canoe needs to be secured before you get in.
Use a rope to tie the ends of the canoe to the dock.If you are launching off a shoreline, have your partner hold the canoe while you get in.
Step 5: Carefully enter the canoe.
Grab onto the side of the canoe that is closest to you.Set one of your legs into the center of the canoe and grab onto the far side.Bring your other leg into the canoe.The bowman can sit on the bench at the front of the boat.
Step 6: Push the canoe off the ground.
Once the bowman and sternman are in, untie the canoe from the dock.Push off from the dock with your hand or paddle.The sternman needs to push off as the canoe goes into the water if you are launching from shore.Start with the front of the canoe in the water and the back up on land.The sternman should place one leg in the canoe once the bowman is seated.As they bring it into the boat, the sternman should push off with their other leg.
Step 7: Put your inside hand on top of the paddle.
The farthest from the side of the boat you're paddling on is your inside hand.The other hand should be positioned down from the top of the paddle.If you're paddling on the left side of the boat, your right hand would be your inside hand.You would hold the top of the paddle with your right hand and lower your left hand.
Step 8: The water in front of you has the end of the paddle in it.
You don't want to have to get up from your seat if you bring the end of the paddle as far in front of you as possible.If you are paddling on the left side of the canoe, you should put the paddle in the water in front of you.
Step 9: The paddle should be brought back in a smooth, sweeping motion.
The end of the paddle should be dry.Pull the paddle back with your bottom hand as you push it.Lift the paddle out of the water and swing it back around in front of you to where you put it.The process to move the canoe should be repeated.
Step 10: You can paddle on the other side of the canoe.
It will prevent the canoe from going in circles.The sternman should be paddling on the right side of the canoe if the bowman is paddling left.
Step 11: You should paddle with the other person.
The paddles should be in and out of the water at the same time.The sternman should adjust their paddling to match the pace set by the bowman.
Step 12: To steer the boat, use a J stroke.
A J stroke is a small backward stroke.The sternman should stroke the left side of the canoe if you want it to go left.The sternman would stroke the right side of the canoe to go right.The canoe will make a drastic turn if the sternman does a larger backward stroke.
Step 13: Draw to make a turn.
A draw is when you extend a paddle out away from the boat, holding it vertically so just the flat end of the paddle is in the water.You pull the paddle towards the edge of the boat.The bowman and sternman should draw on opposite sides of the canoe if you need to make a sharp turn.The sternman should draw on the right side of the canoe to make a hard left turn.The sternman should draw on the left side of the canoe to make a hard right turn.
Step 14: If you tip the canoe, don't panic.
If you tip over, put your belongings under the seats in the flipped canoe.Holding on to the canoe, swim toward the shore.Don't attempt to swim against the current in a river with a strong current.Hold on to the canoe and wait for the current to slow down so you can swim.Try flipping the canoe over with your partner if you are far from the shore.Lift the canoe up with your arms before you try to flip it.
Step 15: Take a paddle to a landing point.
The front of the canoe should be pointed at the shoreline.Turn the canoe so it is parallel with the side of the dock.As you approach the landing point, slow down.
Step 16: You can land the canoe on the shore or dock.
The back of the canoe should remain in the water when you land a canoe on the shore.If you want to land at a dock, you need to get as close to the side of the dock as possible.
Step 17: You have to steady the canoe before you leave.
Tie the front and back ends of the boat to the dock with rope if you're landing at a dock.The bowman should hold the canoe steady if you're on the shore.
Step 18: One at a time, get out of the canoe.
The person who is going to get out first should be the one who gets completely out of the boat.The bowman should get out of the canoe first so the sternman can hold it.If you want to step out with one foot first, keep your body low and centered in the canoe.Lift your other foot out of the boat after stabilizing yourself.