kanuhed (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Glad you enjoyed it. For what it's worth... this style of paddling goes back a long way in the history of the area where I learned to paddle. The roots of the paddling style go right back to aboriginal birch bark canoes which never had seats as we know them. Chairs were not part of aboriginal culture and it was natural to kneel in the hull of a canoe in a position that made sense for the load being carried. In addition, many of strokes used to control a canoe involved precision and quiet.

MrAnthony1a (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Wow, I've never seen anyone paddle like this. Glad I watched this video

kanuhed (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I hope the message people get from watching these videos is subtle control. Nothing wrong with the J stroke, but you can gain efficiency by changing a few things. The " Guide" or "Canadian" stroke I reference is a natural evolution of the J stroke that most paddlers naturally fall into over time. My observations would suggest that folks who are in tune with their bodies, and spend long periods of time steering a canoe naturally develop the Guide stroke most of the time.

woro90 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Be fair to the conventional J-stroke, I have never seen any experienced paddler use it like you show it - it can be smooth if you want it smooth ;) But maybe I'm using some kind of hybrid stroke and consider it a J-stroke, my attitude has always been "if it works well, who cares if it has a name and a thick book on how to do it properly". Otherwise I love this video, it's so inspiring and it shows the elegance and manoueverability of properly paddled canoe so well...

SHIBAInuFilms (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Paddling the school canoe? Ohh you better believe that's a paddlin'

zasvedogovore (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I have learned paddling. Thank you

v10lav10la (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I learned to paddle by the watch and copy method during long wilderness trips in Ontario years ago. No one I know here in the USA paddles like this. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I am glad to realize how cultural paddling is.

Ape65 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Interesting technique, especially if you have a small canoe. I find that if the canoe is smaller than a certain critical size, it tends to be very unstable. People often make the mistake of using too small a canoe, because they think it will be easier.

looloorex (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

THIS is AWESOME !!! Thanks for sharing !! =)

bennys4u (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

@agualotus FANTASTIC VIDEO ON HOW TO! These strokes will save you from those branches in fast moving waters. I have been an avid canoe paddler for years and the j stroke is my favorite. I have never seen it displayed in the manner you have in this video. Keep Paddling!