Canoeing is a fun outdoor activity that lets you play in the water without getting yourself wet (hopefully). While one article can't compete with learning to canoe directly in the water, you can still learn the basics of canoeing by reading this guide (and hopefully you'll be inspired to go out and try it out in the water!)
Step
Part 1 of 4: Getting to Know the Equipment
Step 1. Get to know your canoe
A canoe is an open boat that is long and tapers to its fore and aft ends. There are several sizes of canoes, namely for one person, two people or three people or more. The front of the canoe is called the bow and the back is called the stern. The body of the canoe is called the hull. Kano was pushed forward with the oars. There are many types of canoes, such as Hawaiian outrigger canoes, sail canoes, and canoes that differ from the description above. However canoes for beginners are usually as pictured above.
Step 2. Know what a paddle is
Paddles are tools that can make the canoe move. When you grab the oar and launch it into the water, and pull it back, the boat will move forward. The paddle has four parts:
- The handle: You place your hand on the handle. For example, if you row to the right of the boat, your left hand will be on the handle, and your right hand on the rod.
- Stem: This is the pole which is the most important part of the oar. When you row on the right side of the canoe, you place your right hand in the center of the trunk and your left hand on the handle.
- Neck: This is the part that connects the blade to the rod.
- Blade: This is the part that people think of when they think of the word paddle. A large, flat section at the end of the paddle. The oars are what push into the water when you row, then propel the boat forward.
Step 3. Put on a life vest if you have one
Buoys are recommended for boating activities. Most states in America have specific laws regarding buoys, including mandatory use of life vests or at least providing a life vest on boats.
- Wear it well. If the float is too small, or not tightened properly, it will not work optimally.
- Buoys are needed for emergencies, and you usually don't get an alert when an emergency is about to occur. While not common, boat capsizing accidents can always happen.
- Even if you're an expert swimmer, you could be knocked unconscious by a capsized boat and sink if you don't wear a life jacket. Or you could be miles from land, a distance that is too far or unsafe to swim. You should not forget the buoy even if you are a good swimmer.
- If you're riding a canoe for the first time and feel uncomfortable around the water, and can't swim or are an unreliable swimmer, having a buoy is very important.
Step 4. Think of other tools you can take with you on a canoe trip
What you bring depends on how long you plan to be on the water. A short paddle trip is certainly different from a week's trip to a fishing spot via the Adirondacks.:
- Water shoes. These shoes are essential if you are planning a canoe trip and then getting out and exploring. Water shoes are easy to wear for swimming (especially if your boat capsizes) and make walking along the water's edge, especially when going through rocky or rocky areas.
- Clothes that can get wet or dirty. Even if you don't tip over, there's bound to be times when you get splashed with water--intentionally or not. Canoeing also causes us to sweat, and is done in an outdoor environment.
- Swimsuit. Your clothes will most likely get wet, and a swimsuit is usually more comfortable to wear when it's wet than wearing a wet cloth. Swimming is also usually done in conjunction with boating activities.
- Protective hat. Ideally, you should wear a wide-brimmed hat, and it's okay if it gets in the water, and has a chin strap or hook to attach to your shirt. People who frequent canoes are usually exposed to the sun directly from the sky and from reflections from the water. A gust of wind can also blow away your hat at any time.
- Sunglasses with straps. Sun exposure on a clear, sunny day can be intense. Even when wearing a hat, sunglasses protect your eyes and make you more comfortable. Ideally, wear a sports strap so that your glasses fall off.
- Dry bag / dry bag. A dry bag is an essential waterproof bag to carry on a canoe trip. Store your camera, cell phone, jacket, car keys etc. in a dry bag so that they stay dry. If the object you are carrying can be damaged if submerged in water, you should put it in a dry bag.
- Mineral water in a bottle. Canoeing can be a sport, being outdoors will expose you to wind, sun, the reflection of the sun from the water can dehydrate you. Unless you're only rowing for a short time, it's highly recommended to bring bottled water.
- Tools for draining water. You can use a bottle of detergent or bleach modified into a dipper, or you can use a large sponge. If your boat capsizes, and you need to get the water out of the boat. It will make it easier if you can easily get the water out of the boat from wherever it is coming from.
Part 2 of 4: Entering Kano
Step 1. Position the canoe perpendicular to the beach
The bow of the boat should be closest to the shore or pier, so the stern is pointing outward. If you want to get wet, you can just push the boat so that it floats in shallow water (the bottom of the boat shouldn't touch the bottom of the water) and then you can climb from there. If possible, have someone hold the canoe to keep it still.
Step 2. Decide who will sit in the bow and who will sit in the stern
More experienced rowers should sit at the stern. The person sitting in the bow is only in charge of rowing, while the person in the stern is in charge of rowing and steering the boat (Driving will be discussed in Part Three.)
Step 3. Get in the canoe
You have to push the canoe out so that most of it floats, the bow out first. Hold the boat so it doesn't float away. The person sitting in the bow must sit first. Hold the boat steady as you step in, duck low and hold both sides of the canoe. He must then slowly walk toward the bow, making sure his weight is balanced by holding on to both sides of the boat and keeping his weight in the middle of the boat. When you are ready to sit down, you should place your feet in the center of the canoe and push it away from the shore with your hands on either side of the canoe. Humble yourself in your seat.
- If you get into the canoe later, you can also get into the canoe (make sure your weight is in the middle,) sit down, and then push it away from the beach using the paddle. You may need to push more than once.
- If you canoe from the dock, you can do the same. However, you should keep the canoe parallel to the pier, not perpendicular (as if you were departing from the beach.)
Part 3 of 4: Canoeing
Step 1. Sit up straight in the canoe
Leaning forward will put a strain on your back. Leaning to the right or left will put you at risk of tipping over. Place one hand on the handle of the paddle and one hand on the bar, in the center of the paddle, above the blade of the paddle.
Step 2. Paddle your canoe forward
Make sure one oar starts out on the right and one on the left. When one of you gets tired, switch sides. Except when you are turning, you need to keep the paddle on the opposite side to be able to paddle forward as efficiently as possible.
- Lift the paddle above the water with your upper hand near your face (not your chest), and the hand closest to the water pulled straight out. Pierce the entire paddle into the water with the stem almost perpendicular to the surface of the water.
- Pull the oar through the water, along the side of the boat. If the paddle stays close to the side of the canoe, you can keep your body in an upright position without leaning to the side.
Step 3. Know when to turn when you are rowing at the stern
If you sit at the stern, you will be the rower driving. As you go straight ahead, you may notice that the canoe is pointing slightly to the right or to the left instead of continuing straight. This could be due to the force of the current, or because one of the oarsmen rowed faster than the other. Whatever the cause, you must correct the direction of the canoe straight ahead. To do this, you must row on the same side.
Another way to run a canoe is to form a rowing motion like the letter 'J'. To do this, place the paddle behind you, parallel to the side of the canoe. Paddle out and toward the bow of the canoe, forming the letter 'J'. If you want to turn right, paddle the J shape on the right side of the canoe. If you want to turn left, do the paddle on the left side of the canoe
Step 4. Row your canoe backwards
Rowing backwards is essentially the same as rowing forward. Place the oar behind you and sweep it forward in the water, making sure you lift the oar out of the water after you paddle. This method will push you back.
Part 4 of 4: Landing the Canoe
Step 1. Position the canoe perpendicular to the shore as the rower is pointing ashore
Slow down the canoe, if you don't run aground, by dipping the paddle blades in the water until they are perpendicular to the canoe. If there are two oars, they must be in the water on opposite sides of the canoe. You can also paddle backwards to slow down the canoe as it goes forward.
Step 2. Extend the bow of the paddle out to the front of the canoe to break up the impact on the shoreline
You have to move very slowly at this point. Hitting the beach hard can damage the canoe. If it's too hard, you may be thrown out of the canoe.
Step 3. Exit the canoe by taking a step back from the "Into the Canoe" step
Always make sure the canoe is balanced. Once one rower is out of the canoe, he has to keep the canoe steady so that the other rower can get out safely.
If you are tying the canoe to the dock, tie the canoe before exiting the canoe if possible. This will keep the canoe in place, so you can focus on maintaining your balance to get out of the boat
Tips
- The rower in the stern must try his oars in the water at the same time as the rower in the bow. The canoe will move faster if both rowers are rowing at the same rhythm.
- Practice canoeing in ponds or lakes, not rivers or other flowing waters.
- If you are driving your own canoe, sit on the stern for maximum canoe control.
Warning
- The canoe may flip over if you try to stand upright in the canoe, or lean to one side.
- Do not ride a canoe without wearing a Lifeguard approved by the Coast Guard.
