This might be a silly question but is there any paddle stroke or combination of strokes that allows me to paddle exclusively on one side of the canoe? I take 5-6 strokes on one side and then have to change sides for 5-6 more strokes and then back again to keep from zig-zagging terribly. That wears a body out and detracts from the rhythm of the flow of the canoe. Thanks.

Look up the J-stroke - that's what you want (I assume it's a solo canoe). Some use a double blade paddle.

Thank you. I guess I need to work on my J stroke. When I do the J stroke the canoe pushes away instead of corrects.

J stroke if you are wanting to paddle on one side. Or you can continue doing sit and switch which is what you are doing. Its actually a more efficient paddle stroke in my opinion as the J stroke can take away from the forward momentum.

Well, I'm hesitant to join this conversation because I'm certainly no expert and my strokes could definitely use some work, but I generally use a "C" stroke when I want to paddle on one side of a solo. Start with kind of a bow draw and finishes with something like a J. I'm sure you could do a search online and get a much, much better explanation.

Anyway, just something else to add for your consideration.

If you're paddling a center seat solo designed for sit and switch best off getting accustomed to sitting and switching; this is how a center seat solo is designed to be propelled. You can J and you can C stroke, but if paddling from the center you'll be expending a lot of your energy and momentum to correct your direction. Being in the center you don't have the same leverage you do in the stern. A J stroke is just ruddering, any correction you make is made at the expense of forward travel. If sitting and switching is difficult check to see if your paddle is the right length and shape. For a six foot man appropriate 12 degree bent shaft paddle length is around 52".

If you prefer single side paddling you are best off with a solo set up with a seat towards the stern and gear stashed forward. Or perhaps a small symmetrical tandem (prospector) piloted "backwards" from the bow seat facing the stern.

giddyup: "Thank you. I guess I need to work on my J stroke. When I do the J stroke the canoe pushes away instead of corrects. "

This suggests you've got the stroke but are just using it too aggressively. The "J" should be "J"ust enough to keep the bow on target.

I am not an expert but, I practice paddling a lot. I found it easier to develop my stroke with a long narrow paddle like the Badger Sliver or the Fishell Modified Special. I feel there is more control for sculling strokes but, the most satisfying aspect is the way they slice the water when I use a Canadian or underwater recovery stroke.

Good Luck

Interesting thread. Does anyone have any specific resources to recommend to increase paddling aptitude? Books, youtube videos, etc? Lot out there, sometimes seemingly conflicting.

I too am new to solo paddling and have found with my northwinds solo loaded, a slight j stroke keeps me fairly straight in most wind conditions but empty, sit and switch is far far superior. The nuances to how the canoe tracks based on what side the canoe stroke is on with the wind coming from various directions is confounding but awfully interesting to me.

Lots to learn!

Banksiana nailed it!

Even with the J stroke you want to switch sides. You'll be much less fatigued. Think of it like this. When you walk you switch legs every step. Now try 2 steps on the same leg then switch. How far will you get? Paddling on the same side all the time would be like taking 2 steps on the same leg then switching to the other leg. Sit and switch is the most efficient for long distance paddling, even with the slight zig zag.

For solo paddling technique in-depth discussion I'd suggest looking up some white-water (or all-water) paddlers advise, e.g. Bill Mason (legendary Path of the Paddle is on-line: http://www.nfb.ca/film/path_of_the_paddle_solo_basic/), Paul Mason, Andrew Westwood, Bob Foote, and others. Watching them paddle is like watching best ballet dancers. J-stroke is no less useful than sit-and-switch or power or C-stroke, depending on wind and current and paddler's whim. Unless of course you are participating in certain sport, where type of water you paddle and the goals you try to achieve are narrowly fixed.

Thanks for all the replies. There is good instruction here, exactly what I was wanting. I know for certain I need lots more practice. I also know now my paddle is too long but it’s the paddle that came with the canoe when I bought it. And I love the paddle so I keep using it. I do think I can have it shortened though. Thanks again.

Investing in a quality lightweight paddle is a solid investment. Banksiana described what I now use - a 52" 12 degree carbon bentshaft. I'm 6' tall and I will J stroke on smaller waters but while doing a big crossing I blast away with 3-4 strokes on each side.

I used a bending branches wood expedition paddle for many years and when I got the graphite paddle I was amazed at the difference. My wood paddle feels like a war club by comparison. Zaveral Rec was my choice and I don't regret the $225 spent for one second.

Thank you, TomT. I agree! I have a Zaveral Power Surge bent shaft carbon paddle as well as the Power Surge straight paddle. I love them both.

Paddling technique for me is learn by doing. Been pushing a solo around for decades because nobody else could go. My first experience with other solo paddlers came via this website. I still cannot describe a single stroke done properly nor do I care at this point. I get where I want to and can make my canoe (I've been told by more than a few the Advantage is too tipsy and unable to turn) do everything I want.
I'll not begrudge seeking lessons but for me time on the water taught me more. Want to paddle solo without sit and switch? Slow down and do it, you will adapt the needed tracking corrections (if I have to I'll call it a C-stroke). With experience the pace picks up and the paddling feels natural. Soon you'll be using the Northwoods or Canadian style to quietly sneak up on good fishing areas.

butthead

You're going to stumble into two different questions:

1. Canoe design. If you're in the center, you're going to flip back and forth. If you're sitting behind the center line, it's your stroke.

2. Try the J-stroke or a version of it. When you paddle, stretch out those chest and back muscles by really going as far to the rear as you can. The end of the paddle stroke should come close to the stern tip before it pulls out of the water. You should feel pressure pressure pressure on the paddle till the twist and slice through the water, then you relax and recover and pull out. Try to keep the path of the paddle near the gunwale.

The paddle stroke should end with this graceful feel, no turbulence.

I enjoy learning from experts (or enjoyed when I was younger). It gives a reference point, one that is absent in a process of self-teaching. In my experience it helps tremendously to develop a proper sens of humiliation and to be aware of one's fallacies. Still, I've seen paddlers much better than I ever could hope to be that never took a lesson (as far as I could tell).

Thanks everyone. I think butthead’s advice is especially helpful for me. I need more patience with myself and more time on the water to practice. It will get there.

Taking classes and reading books are great. You have to learn correct execution of the repertoire of strokes first. Then, my recommendation is to spend time in your canoe, alone, practicing all the strokes in a lake. Practice until you and the boat are one. I wouldn’t worry about what people say is the best stroke for this or that as much as lots of time in your boat focusing on how the paddle affects the boat movement. Practice until everything comes naturally.

When I first was learning solo, I would take my Yellowstone out to the lake for hours. I would try and go in as straight a line as possible. I do J from the center and rarely switch sides. I can go pretty fast in a straight line.

I recently rented a Prism, where you’re seated farther back. I found a C more effective than a J. But, the wind was relentless and I used a multitude of strokes.

I guess in my opinion if you practice long enough, alone in quiet paying close attention to cause and effect paddling becomes an art or a dance. Of course, you have to read books and take classes. But the real beauty comes when you’re alone by yourself in the boat just seeing what each stroke will do. Play around-have fun!

Check out this fellow's videos. He paddles a "backwards" tandem canoe using a stroke he calls the "Canadian." He describes the stroke in one of the earlier videos. Not sure whether it will work on a solo canoe with a center seat or not. Even if it doesn't you might enjoy his videos. Very informative. He lives the dream!

Wintertrekker

I know this isn't totally relevant but I meant to add that you can avoid the whole problem using a double bladed paddle. Very effective in open water, wind and waves. I carry a regular paddle for maneuvering close to shore or in shallow water.

A really good place to pick up some useful solo paddling tips is at the Thursday evening paddle events that Dan Cooke holds regularly on Golden Lake in Circle Pines. Dan is a certified ACA paddling instructor and a very good teacher. I've paddled canoes for over 60 years and my experience with regards to learning is much like what Butthead described. Having said that, I learned several good things last Thursday evening from Dan. It you live in the Twin Cities area it's a no-brainer to take advantage of this.

I live in central Illinois. I’ve considered making the trip, though, just for the Thursday evening paddles. Thanks for all the good recommendations. I do think practice is going to be what it takes.

whitecedar: "Banksiana nailed it!"

Yep
Yet another reason why I like my SRQ16 tandem as a solo

Sorry about mis-posts!

I wonder then for what reasons seats in whitewater boats are positioned almost dead center - I haven't seen many w/w paddlers using sit-and-switch technique. May be because proper forward stroke occurring close to the center of the boat doesn't require lots of correction to begin with. I wonder how paddling the inside circle will feel performed from the stern of a tandem.

AmarilloJim: "

whitecedar: "Banksiana nailed it!"

Yep
Yet another reason why I like my SRQ16 tandem as a solo"

I wonder then for what reasons seats in whitewater boats are positioned almost dead center - I haven't seen many w/w paddlers using sit-and-switch technique. May be because proper forward stroke occurring close to the center of the boat doesn't require lots of correction to begin with. I wonder how paddling the inside circle will feel performed from the stern of a tandem.

I tend to do both-paddle on one side for longish stretches, and then mix it up with switching sides every handful of strokes. Depends on the mood and conditions. When I can get in a rhythm, I prefer one side for awhile and then switching to the other versus no corrective strokes and frequent side switching, but that's just me.

EddyTurn: "Sorry about mis-posts!

I wonder then for what reasons seats in whitewater boats are positioned almost dead center - I haven't seen many w/w paddlers using sit-and-switch technique. May be because proper forward stroke occurring close to the center of the boat doesn't require lots of correction to begin with. I wonder how paddling the inside circle will feel performed from the stern of a tandem."

First of all, most WW solo paddlers are kneeling. Also they're using much heavier WW paddles, which suck for switching, as they're heavier and longer. And then the "goon", or rudder stroke is more powerful than about anything else, a requirement when things get rough. When I was river tripping in a 16' Penobscot, I'd paddle bent shaft (longer than normal) sit-and-switch, and then bring out the bludgeon (58" Seda WW blade) and kneel when the waves got big or I needed to maneuver.

Mreid, what you said is true, but I don't see how it changes the argument. ww paddlers use power - or goon - stroke for stronger correction because they have to withstand power of the whitewater, but it doesn't change the physics: the stronger the correction the less efficient is the stroke. And the seat at the center of the boat allows for forward stroke with the least correction required. And that's where the seat is in every ww canoe. If one's not satisfied with her or his forward stroke then the stroke shall be adjusted, not the seat.