Below is a small preview section randomly selected from the article. Please submit the form above to get the entire article:

1 2 3

Canoeing: A Great Adventure

Millions of people participate in the great adventure of canoeing each year. We asked three canoeing experts from North America to share their stories and tips. Here’s what they have to say about getting the most from your canoeing experience.

Bruce Lessels, a member of the Appalachian Mountain Club, is the author of The Appalachian Mountain Club’s Whitewater Handbook. A whitewater enthusiast who also competed in C-1 races for the United States in 1984 and 1988, Bruce has been involved with canoeing since 1975.

Mike Aranoff, owner of the Canoe, Kayak, and Paddle Co., LLC, in Virginia, is an instructor, trainer, and educator in canoeing and kayaking. He has been involved in canoeing for twenty-five years.

Ryan Baricello, the Youth Paddling Coach for the Fort Langley Canoe Club in British Columbia, Canada, has been involved in canoeing and kayaking for seven years and won a sliver medal at the Canadian National Championships in 2005 (in kayak flat-water sprint racing) before taking up coaching.


What advice would you give beginners?

"A lesson from a good instructor can jump-start the learning process,” says Bruce. Mike agrees: "Get quality instruction so you start with a good technique foundation. It’s possible to injure yourself doing repetitive motions improperly. People mostly injure the shoulders, followed by the stomach muscles, as a result of not taking strokes correctly, or not warming up properly. If you just go for a half-day of basic instruction, that would get you started to be effective and avoid injury.”

"Use the right equipment,” advises Bruce. "Equipment has a lot to do with how much you enjoy the sport—if you’re in a boat or using a paddle that’s not right for you, it doesn’t contribute to having a good first experience.” "Boats are really tippy,” adds Ryan. "Take it lightly, have fun, and don’t be afraid to fall out.”


What advice would you give experienced paddlers?

"Strengthen the core; the abs,” recommends Ryan. "That drives the whole system; everything is based on the strength of the core. Don’t rely on biceps and arms. That will come.”

Mike agrees: "The arms are just links to the muscles that really do the work.” Bruce notes: "Paddlers have an on-side and off side. You need to learn ways to do cross-strokes on your off side. Not being strong on your off-side would be like being a pianist and only knowing how to use your left hand well; you’ve got to learn to use your right hand as well.”
... Sign-up Above to Read More!

1 2 3