1. Power/Forward Stroke
Paddling a canoe takes some practice, and you must master the different types of strokes to navigate your canoe in the water. Use this first basic canoeing stroke, called the power or forward stroke, to propel yourself forward. Begin with the paddle on the right side. Grasp the grip with your left hand to control the blade angle. Your right hand should be holding the shaft a few inches above the blade so that it stays out of the water. (If your hands are wet, they're more likely to blister.) You'll also want to use the front face of the paddle blade. If your hands are this position, you'll be paddling right. Simply reverse hands if you'd like to paddle left.
2. Reverse/Back Stroke
This canoe stroke is basically the same movement as the Front Stroke, but it's done in reverse. Use the back face of the blade instead. The Reverse/Back Stroke is used the slow down the canoe, stop it or make it go backwards.
3. J Stroke
The J stroke is one of the traditional ways to paddle a canoe. Make sure you sit up straight. Allow the paddle blade to touch the water with its shaft not across your chest but perpendicular to the water. Pull the paddle through the water in a J stroke to propel the canoe forward. The paddle shaft should be almost straight up. Finish the J stroke by using your bottom arm to push the paddle forward. Keep your thumb down. When you're completing the J stroke, you're basically doing a forward stroke where you flip the paddle out at the end in the shape of a J. Then you rudder or push out to move. The J stroke is used to keep the canoe on course.
4. Draw Stroke
The draw stroke is another traditional way of canoe paddling that you should learn and perfect. It's the opposite of the J stroke in that the draw stroke pulls the canoe to the paddle and the J Stroke pushes it away. The draw stroke is usually used when you want to quickly change direction. It begins with the same mechanics as the forward stroke, but you'll need to make the draw stroke perpendicular to the center line yet parallel to the canoe. Sit up straight a dip the paddle blade into the water alongside you. Use your lower arm to draw the paddle towards you. Turn your hand so that you don't end up making the canoe go forward instead of changing direction. Hold the paddle firmly and don't let it get swept under the canoe.
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