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| One of the keys to handling small winding rivers is the inside of curves. The inside is where the current is the slowest. The inside is usually clearer of obstacles (strainers, down trees, etc.). It is much easier to go from the inside to the outside (that is where the current is going). |
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| Therefore, as you paddle down the river, notice in which direction the river is going to turn next. Then go ahead, turn as soon as possible in the direction to make the curve. If there are not obstacles between you and the curve, you can go ahead and have the canoe turned toward that side of the river and then drift down until you can power the canoe forward around the curve. Once in the curve, the current suddenly seems much faster and on tight narrow rivers, there is very little time for turning. Therefore, by already starting to turn before you get to the curve, you have to turn less in the curve. You may still need to turn as you paddle around the curve, just not as much and not as quickly. |
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| Also, keep the front of the canoe as close to the inside of the curve as possible. If there are obstacles in the way, aim the bow as close to the obstacle as possible. Treat the obstacle as the inside of the curve. The further outside you get, the harder you will have to work to make the curve. If you think about it, if you go around all the insides of the turns, you will also be traveling the shortest distance. | 
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Another key to handling narrow winding rivers, is keeping the canoe under control. This means knowing the technique to point the canoe where you want to go and then making it go there effectively. Using raw power and speed may get people with a lot of muscle where they want to go, but at the expense of a lot of energy. They are always on the edge of disaster. Learn to control the canoe using strokes such as the J-stroke, the stern pry, and draws.
The Stern Pry is used to turn the canoe toward the side you are paddling on. If the stern pry is applied on the right side of the canoe, the canoe will turn toward the right. For the most effective stern pry, start with the paddle blade as far back behind and as close to the centerline of the canoe as possible. The blade should be vertical so that it is flat against the side of the canoe. The shaft of the paddle should be almost horizontal and along the side of the canoe. It helps to turn your shoulders so that you are facing the side of the canoe you are paddling on. Insert the blade straight down completely into the water and then move it horizontally and directly away from the canoe. The stern pry (like nearly all canoe strokes) is a short stroke, maybe eight inches. Repeat it quickly rather than making a longer stroke. Be sure to keep the flat part of the blade vertical during the stroke. At the end of the stroke, quickly lift the blade straight up out of the water and repeat the stroke as necessary. There should be NO forward movement of the paddle. If the paddle comes forward in any way, you are doing a back stroke and not a pry. Back-strokes may also come in handy but most beginners way overuse the back-strokes. The most common mistake is to use back-strokes to turn the canoe. Learn to use stern prys to turn the canoe instead of a back-stroke. The back-stroke seems to be more effective at turning, but in current it is trouble because you are not only turning, you are also backing up. Backing up usually moves you away from the inside of the curve and into the bushes and strong current on the outside. |
Stern Prys |
