Canoeing tips for beginners:

Canoeing tips are better than tipping a canoe

First, know your equipment well. Don’t go into the water without the proper knowledge or without taking the right precautions. A haphazard canoeist can endanger not only himself, but his fellow paddlers as well.

.

. 

 

Inflatable Canoes

If you’re using inflatable canoes and floatation devices, be sure that you inflate them well at the start of the day; inflate them again after spending some time on the water. On spring days, the air bags will appear to deflate after a few minutes on the water. This is because the water in the spring is still cold. Remember that heat expands and cold contracts. the colder water temperature will contract the air inside the inflatable, causing it to deflate somewhat.

In hotter weather, the reverse will occur. When you put the inflated canoe into the water, the air inside it will expand due to the warmer temperature of the lake or river. To avoid bursting or over-inflating your canoe or floatation device it is best that you let some air out over the course of the day.

.

. 

 

Proper Stroke

If you’re handling too large a canoe, you might find that you have trouble reaching over the gunwale. In this situation your strokes will be too far away from the canoe. This will force the canoe to turn, rather than having a forward-driving force. The technique we recommend involves shifting weights.

[important]Canoeing Tips: Bring your knees together and shift your weight to the paddle side while paddling.[/important]

By shifting your body weight, the gunwale is lowered as you make each stroke. If you’re a beginner, don’t be surprised or scared. This position is actually very stable and the chances of capsizing are very slim.

From this position you can reach over the gunwale and keep your paddle in the vertical position. You’ll find it easier and more efficient to propel the canoe forward when you execute your strokes in this fashion.

.

. 

 

Get a Grip

Finally, paddling a canoe can be easy or hard depending on your grip on the paddles. More often than not, holding a paddle with a relaxed grip will have better results. Holding the paddle too tightly can cause the blades to twist and turn on the water surface, which will affect the movement of the canoe. For more information on paddling technique see: Proper Technique to Paddle a Canoe.

[important]Canoeing Tips: A loose grip improves your feel for the paddle and, more importantly, reduces the tension in your arms and shoulders.[/important]

A loose grip will improve the way you bring the paddle blades over the water surface and will improve the way you steer your canoe.

These are only a few canoeing tips. There are more that will answer specific needs of paddlers. Canoeing is a skill that can be learned and enjoyed more with practice.

.

. 

 

[important]

Are you looking for an easier way to move your kayak or canoe

to and from the water?

Canoe & kayak carts offer a safe and easy way

to walk your craft to the launching site.

Check out this comparison of the top canoe & kayak carts.

[/important]

 

 

Other Canoeing Articles:

• Cold Water Survival
• Gift Ideas For Canoers
• Canoe Trip: Equipment Checklist
• Canoe Forward Stroke: Perfect This Basic Paddle Stroke
• Carry A Canoe? Do It Right!
• Proper Technique to Paddle a Canoe
• Canoeing Tips – Keep Your Trip Fun & Safe
• Canoes: Description and Construction