Canoe with a View : : Canadian Open Canoe forum

I see from reading bloggs that many off you kneel whilst paddling

I have to wonder why is this, what is the benefits, and the disadvantages

myself personally sit on the seats that are in my canoe and find this very comfortable and can get a great speed paddling ratio even whilst carrying gear and equipment or another person

I am not the greatest canoeist i still have tp paddle either side to go in a straight line as i have not mastered the J stroke

the main subject for this topic is

What is your prefered way off paddling sitting standing kneeling

what is your prefered stroke

basically what do you find is the best technique for you and why

(I am not looking for links for techniques or how to do them that i can find)

I would just like yourself to explain why

YOU do what you do when in your canoe

Thankyou

(12-05-10 07:43 AM)Scottydog Wrote: [ -> ]what is your prefered stroke

I prefer to stroke from the neck down to the base of the tail, in a gentle fluid motion, although some times I'll give 'em a good "scruff" behind both ears...., this is almost always done while kneeling.....

Cheers
Red.

I dont have a technique yet to be honest i sit in my canoe and paddle side to side

(12-05-10 08:05 AM)Scottydog Wrote: [ -> ]I dont have a technique yet to be honest i sit in my canoe and paddle side to side

Ah - the Griff stroke is very popular. I tend to use the J (it's the only one I know, but don't tell anyone ), and generally on one side. I also kneel.

Anything else I do in my canoe is between me and ........

Biff

Scotty

Going to try and answer your questions....

Kneeling is done mainly when paddling solo as it lets you:

1) Be more connected to the canoe so the energy from paddling is transferred into forward motion by the canoe

2) Turn slightly to the side you are paddling so the bow and sterns rises up slightly from the water - this allows for speedier paddling as less of the boat is touching the water

3) Lowers your centre of gravity a bit

4) Can be a comfortable position to paddle, lets you keep a straight back whereas seated more pressure is on the back when paddling

In terms of disadvantages:

1) Kneeling for a length of time can take some getting used to.

2) Canoes usually come fitted with seats, not kneeling thwarts so some modifications may have to be made


I too am looking in to the most comfortable position (to paddle), trying out different ones to see what works for me. I quite like the J stroke, managed to learn it over the weekend.

Hi Scotty,

I tend to kneel but have a combination kneeling thwart / seat on my new boat - this gives me the opportunity to kneel which gives maximum feel but I can also sit when I can't feel my knees/legs anymore!!

As for preferred stroke, I like the Canadian stroke (it's a bit like a J but with an underwater recovery), but am currently trying to master the Traditional - which is similar but gives more power but is also quite relaxed, if that doesn't sound too contradictory.

Graham.

(12-05-10 04:04 PM)GrahamD Wrote: [ -> ]Hi Scotty,

I tend to kneel but have a combination kneeling thwart / seat on my new boat - this gives me the opportunity to kneel which gives maximum feel but I can also sit when I can't feel my knees/legs anymore!!

I'm with Graham on this one. See pic...



As you can see my torso is slightly facing my paddle side and the boat is heeled over Prospector style, this I do on for flat / gentle water cruising, but as the water gets exited I brace myself on the centre line of the boat with my knees spread as far as comfortable, this gives me a more controlled ride.


I suppose you could call my preferred stroke a lazy "J" its a bit like a Canadian stroke but done half heartedly, I can cruise nice and easy all day with this one. I do like the Indian stroke when I am dawdling, it is nice to silently move along.

Cheers
Tim