technique
The top course for Canadian style-paddling is the Ontario Recreational Canoeing & Kayaking Association (ORCKA) provincial Lakewater III instructors’ course which is held over ten days every June. For more information check the ORCKA and courses pages at www.orcka.ca.

Two quick pointers:

  • The paddler at right (from the old ORCA Lakewater logo of all things) is sitting too far from the edge of his canoe: move right against the gunwale please, mister! Moving to the side would allow him to place the paddle blade closer to the canoe–even under the canoe if he’d just move his upper hand out over the water.
  • He could also choke up a bit on his paddle. Moving his lower hand further up the shaft (choking up) would allow him to reach further for turns and pivots.