C-Forum

I have been kayaking, squirt boating, and striding for over 15 years and have decided to learn how to do OC1. It seems that the techniques that Bob Foote and Tom Foster advocate are very different from one another. I am interested in steep creeking and in runs like the Cheat, New, and Gauley. Any suggestions as to the appropriate style?

Eli paddling style will take you a long way on creeks. He is a good instructor.

Thanks for the tip on Eli. My goal is to work on my roll during Jan and Feb. At the same time work on stroke dynamics on some Class1/2 limestone creeks that never freeze during the same period. After the "boating" season starts up l"ll take some lessons. I am just wonderimg if carvimg turns is the curremt preferred technique or if iI should work more on the forward stroke with the stern pry/draw.

Just find some openboaters in your area and hit the rivers with them. There are all types of paddling styles. I'm sure you will learn something new from almost everyone you paddle with. You have to get out there and see what works for you.

If you cant paddle good, paddle hard. If you try to run away from something, it will get you so just punch it.

Alex Vargas.

ESP wrote:Thanks .... I am just wonderimg if carvimg turns is the curremt preferred technique or if iI should work more on the forward stroke with the stern pry/draw.

yeah buddy

but also keep that pry/draw in the back pocket for just in case, or if you have to be forceful... I really hate to give up all that gained forward mo, by falling back on prys (but they are indeed useful)... most everything you know about kayaking will transfer, except you have to learn it on both sides... perhaps the biggest difference in strokes is the vertical-lity (it's more top hand positioned over bottom hand) and and in a canoe you will most of the time, only be dealing with the top couple inches of water... where in a deck boat you have to consider more about what's a little deeper

As far as videos go, I really like "Solo Open Whitewater Canoeing" with Tom Foster. It's noteworthy because it's the most recent of the instructional videos I am aware of (2006). And I think the strokes taught in there are pretty close to what is thought to be "correct" now.

Another video that the canoe instructors of the Arkansas Canoe Club have been passing around is "From Here to There: Canoe Basics" from Joe Holt and Bob Beazley. It's a little shorter, but very thorough on strokes.

Both good videos!

Thanks,
Shep

Phil is a great instructor!!!!!!!! Come down to Bama or invite him up

I have the Tom Foster video and will look for the Canoeing Basics one as well. Thanks for the input everyone. Hope to see you at ALF.

Not sure on "style" (I lack that in volumes)... but if your in the SW PA / N WV area give me a shout. The boys in Eastern PA can be fun to paddle with as well.....

Ed $$$ - I'm going to be hitting it pretty hard over the next month, pushing to get comfortable in the Maxim. Whatever is running local, I'm on it.... Yellow Breeches, Susq. Narrows, Codorus, Muddy Creek... anything close with current.

I'm going to be practicing clean technique, and precise edge control. I'd say get out with me whenever you can, and we can start to really look at what needs to be worked on, and improved. I have the Viper 11 for you to use if you'd like to learn in a great boat.

I'll be in PA. 6-9 Jan. (Thurs- Sun.). You definately got the wrong guy when you tagged my name with $$$. 'Been robbing the piggy bank and the credit card big time to make the commitment to OC1. I need to sell some kayaks to make up the deficit.

Coming soon(ish)

http://cboats.net/cforum/viewtopic.php?t=7963722

Hi Esp,

Welcome to the sport of canoeing.

There are a few more video's and books on canoeing. The ones I know, I've listed and written a personal review upon them:
http://open-canoe.be/index.php/library/dvd
The same for the books, but there are many more books:
http://open-canoe.be/index.php/library/books

You might like some pointers I've written on my website:
http://www.open-canoe.be/index.php/theory/strokes

A new article about the forward stroke is about ready, and an update on the flatwater drills is also to be published:
http://www.open-canoe.be/index.php/trai ... ter-drills

But of course, none of these replace any good instruction, and I'm sure there are good instructors in your area!

Very informative website. Thankyou.