Up the creek with good paddles
Friday, May 25, 2007
WATCHING canoes glide down the water, many a novice has thought how easy it looks. But when they get into their own canoe, the beginner will usually find himself not gliding, but going in circles.
Still, canoeing is one of the easiest sports for beginners to learn and long before they're paddling in the right direction with the help of an instructor.
"First you have to get a feel for the boat," says Ulrich Clausing, director of recreation and canoeing at the German Canoeing Association. That means learning everything from getting into the boat to holding the paddle properly.
"At first, the paddle is usually in the way," says Juergen Gerlach, a former trainer. Strong strokes can make the boat toss and turn. It's best to skip the paddles at first and steer manually to get a feel for the boat.
Open canoes are best for beginners, says Clausing. "They're slower and more forgiving." Kayaks are prone to capsize and can be hard to get into. Canoes are best for long, leisurely river tours, advises the Federal Association of Canoe Tourism. Kayaks are better for fast-moving rivers.
"The easiest way to climb into the boat is by wading up to it on a flat bank," says Gerlach. Beginners are taught to use a paddle to help boarding. The boater can place the paddle across the boat for support while putting one foot in, followed by the rest of the body. The main problem here is that the boater's rear is meant to go in next.
"It's not always elegant, but it's safest," says Clausing.
The type of paddle depends on the kind of boat. Kayaks require double paddles while canoeing requires simple paddles. Learning the J-stroke for simple paddling the paddle goes into the water first before being pulled parallel to the boat and then away to form a J can take practice, says Clausing.
"When using a double paddle, a person should try to use the same amount of strength on both sides," advises Clausing. That helps keep the boat steady. If the boat goes off course, stronger strokes can correct the path.
"When renting a kayak, beginners should make sure the paddles are rotated," says Clausing, meaning one paddle should be turned at a 90 angle to decrease wind resistance.
Beginners should also practise capsizing, which prepares them for when they're really thrown out of the boat, also making life-jackets a good idea.
"Beginners shouldn't hop into a boat alone," says Clausing. People who don't want to join a club right away can take a guided tour with a canoe club or a quick class with a canoeing school.
"There are also canoe rental agencies that offer basic lessons," says Gerlach.
A person's first outing should be on a calm body of water, like a slow-moving canal or lake.
"That way you can learn without fear," says Gerlach. The calm water also means less traffic. When big boats are around, it's usually too dangerous for beginners still learning about their boats.
The experts say the first tour should be short, to let the paddler get familiar with the sport.
Canoe enthusiasts can find many recommended tours in canoe travel guides. "Make sure the guides aren't too old," says Gerlach.
Local canoe associations will usually have information about possible hazards like dams or construction sites, says Gerlach. He recommends beginners choose stretches free of those hazards. "Dams look unimposing, but they shouldn't be underestimated." Currents and undertows circulate around dams. Beginners should also avoid flooded areas.
Large bodies of water are dangerous as someone trying to cross them could suddenly find themselves in the middle of a storm. DPA
Still, canoeing is one of the easiest sports for beginners to learn and long before they're paddling in the right direction with the help of an instructor.
"First you have to get a feel for the boat," says Ulrich Clausing, director of recreation and canoeing at the German Canoeing Association. That means learning everything from getting into the boat to holding the paddle properly.
"At first, the paddle is usually in the way," says Juergen Gerlach, a former trainer. Strong strokes can make the boat toss and turn. It's best to skip the paddles at first and steer manually to get a feel for the boat.
Open canoes are best for beginners, says Clausing. "They're slower and more forgiving." Kayaks are prone to capsize and can be hard to get into. Canoes are best for long, leisurely river tours, advises the Federal Association of Canoe Tourism. Kayaks are better for fast-moving rivers.
"The easiest way to climb into the boat is by wading up to it on a flat bank," says Gerlach. Beginners are taught to use a paddle to help boarding. The boater can place the paddle across the boat for support while putting one foot in, followed by the rest of the body. The main problem here is that the boater's rear is meant to go in next.
"It's not always elegant, but it's safest," says Clausing.
The type of paddle depends on the kind of boat. Kayaks require double paddles while canoeing requires simple paddles. Learning the J-stroke for simple paddling the paddle goes into the water first before being pulled parallel to the boat and then away to form a J can take practice, says Clausing.
"When using a double paddle, a person should try to use the same amount of strength on both sides," advises Clausing. That helps keep the boat steady. If the boat goes off course, stronger strokes can correct the path.
"When renting a kayak, beginners should make sure the paddles are rotated," says Clausing, meaning one paddle should be turned at a 90 angle to decrease wind resistance.
Beginners should also practise capsizing, which prepares them for when they're really thrown out of the boat, also making life-jackets a good idea.
"Beginners shouldn't hop into a boat alone," says Clausing. People who don't want to join a club right away can take a guided tour with a canoe club or a quick class with a canoeing school.
"There are also canoe rental agencies that offer basic lessons," says Gerlach.
A person's first outing should be on a calm body of water, like a slow-moving canal or lake.
"That way you can learn without fear," says Gerlach. The calm water also means less traffic. When big boats are around, it's usually too dangerous for beginners still learning about their boats.
The experts say the first tour should be short, to let the paddler get familiar with the sport.
Canoe enthusiasts can find many recommended tours in canoe travel guides. "Make sure the guides aren't too old," says Gerlach.
Local canoe associations will usually have information about possible hazards like dams or construction sites, says Gerlach. He recommends beginners choose stretches free of those hazards. "Dams look unimposing, but they shouldn't be underestimated." Currents and undertows circulate around dams. Beginners should also avoid flooded areas.
Large bodies of water are dangerous as someone trying to cross them could suddenly find themselves in the middle of a storm. DPA
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