Hi all,
I'm looking to become a better (technical) canoe paddler. Things like cadence, the catch, stroke length, proper positioning, navigating rapids.

A) Are there any good YouTube channels out there to watch?
B) Are there any local (Midwest) camps out there that focus on this? Something like this: Whitewater Canoeing 101

Thanks!

Here is a great ytube discussing and showing how to do a basic power stroke. He has other videos too but this one is where to start. He coaches racers. Not whitewater.
John Puakea The Catch

Hey Sammy,
You may look into seeing if your area has a canoe association. The MN Canoe Association holds weekly "rookie nights" during open water season (not really for rookies, I've been paddling for a while and learned a ton) and host or share canoeing clinics.

Here's an example of what is offered: MCA

Bill Mason paddling book

uqme2: "https://www.amazon.com/Path-Paddle-Bill-Mason/dp/1559710047"

It's funny you mention that. This just showed up in my youtube feed because I've been watching canoe vids.

Paddling video

Learned a few tricks from watching Bill Mason videos on utube.

For the BW with very little navigable moving water you can benefit a lot from Marathon Canoe techniques. There's tons of youtube videos but here's one that is helpful

Blatz: "For the BW with very little navigable moving water you can benefit a lot from Marathon Canoe techniques. There's tons of youtube videos but here's one that is helpful"

That video is awesome. Answered a bunch of questions I didn't know to ask.

Thanks!

SammyN: "

Blatz: "For the BW with very little navigable moving water you can benefit a lot from Marathon Canoe techniques. There's tons of youtube videos but here's one that is helpful"

That video is awesome. Answered a bunch of questions I didn't know to ask.


Thanks!"

Yup I always thought since you're paddling all day you might as well make every paddle stroke count. Something as simple as Keeping your top hand over your bottom hand makes a world of difference. So many people keep their top hand inside the gunwales effectively doing a sweep stroke all the time. That just makes your paddling day much harder. But equally as important is using your big muscles ( core and back muscles) for the paddle stroke and the arms are just used to attach the paddle to the body