Path of the Paddle

[le Metis]

This short film from canoeist Bill Mason demonstrates the basic doubles paddling strokes and how to apply them in various combinations. The application of each stroke in rapids is shown briefly and the emphasis is always on working as a well-coordinated team.

Path of the Paddle: Doubles Basic by Bill Mason - NFB

[dinosaur]

Yipeee! The best way to learn how to use a canoe paddle is to get your butt out there alone and do it. Videos are nice but the fact is you will never learn until you do it yourself. Take the canoe out in open water and play with it using the paddle as a motive force and a steering oar. Play a lot. You'll get the hang of it.

I am sick to death of all the crap on this site that panders videos and self help books to the point of nausea.

Get your butt in the boat and do it!! It's not that hard. Do it! Go!

It's not like I'm telling you to jump off a cliff. Sometimes you just have to do it. Don't talk, do it!

[john.boufford@yahoo.com]

I agree. I started taking a canoe out along, Sit in the middle and started practicing. In the bow of the boat, you steer at the beginning of the stroke. In the stern you steer at the end of the stroke. But in the middle you steer at the beginning of the stroke and the end. I did read path of the paddle, which served as my inspiration. Also all the cool seating positions. But it was something I took on trips and read in the hammock.

[le Metis]

Originally Posted by dinosaur

Yipeee! The best way to learn how to use a canoe paddle is to get your butt out there alone and do it. Videos are nice but the fact is you will never learn until you do it yourself. Take the canoe out in open water and play with it using the paddle as a motive force and a steering oar. Play a lot. You'll get the hang of it.

I am sick to death of all the crap on this site that panders videos and self help books to the point of nausea.

Get your butt in the boat and do it!! It's not that hard. Do it! Go!

It's not like I'm telling you to jump off a cliff. Sometimes you just have to do it. Don't talk, do it!

I agree that the best way is to get out and do it. However, this is a great video with much joy watching the late Bill Mason take that famous red canoe of his down a stretch of river. Maybe it'll be enough to inspire a few folks come spring, who have never handled a paddle to give canoeing a go. None the less, I'm looking forward to spring, maybe I'll head back up to Maine to guide crews on those great northern rivers, and teach another generation the joy of wilderness travel by canoe.