If you don't know how to properly paddle a canoe, you might find yourself moving in circles and feeling frustrated. Learn to keep your canoe moving quickly and in the right direction with a few basic paddling strokes. You might need to practice these strokes for a while before you feel completely comfortable with them. Begin by focusing on sitting up straight in the canoe while you work on your paddling.
Forward Stroke
The forward stroke represents the most basic canoeing stroke. Paddlers in the bow and stern of the canoe complete this stroke in the same way. Place one hand on the paddle's handle at the upper end and one hand lower on the shaft near the paddle itself. Place the paddle above the water a few feet in front of you and dip it into the water. Pull the paddle toward you, keeping it close to the canoe rather than letting it sweep out. Your paddle's shaft should reach a position nearly perpendicular to the water during the middle of the stroke. Continue the stroke until the paddle reaches a few feet behind you and then lift the paddle out of the water.
Forward and Reverse Sweep
To turn the boat in one direction, use the forward or reverse sweep. Perform the stroke on the side opposite from the direction you want to turn the boat. For the forward sweep, dip the paddle into the water in front of you and then pull it out wide to make a letter "C" shape. Continue the sweep until it passes behind you before lifting the paddle out of the water. For the reverse sweep, put the paddle in the water behind you and make the sweeping "C" motion toward the front of the boat.
J-Stroke
The J-stroke combines the forward stroke with a rudder-like steering movement, allowing you to keep your canoe moving straight even when you're paddling alone. Sit up straight with one hand at the top end of the paddle and one hand down the paddle's shaft near the actual paddle. Place the paddle into the water a few feet in front of your knees. As you dip the paddle further into the water, keep it close to the canoe and let the paddle's shaft rise to a position almost perpendicular to the water. Pull the paddle through the water along the boat. As you finish the stroke, turn the paddle onto its side so that it acts as a rudder to keep your boat moving straight. When done correctly, the paddle stroke should form the shape of the letter "J."
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