Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Friday, May 30
    Trending
    • Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Envoy
    • Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Acadia
    • Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Yukon
    • Best 5 Kayak Racks for Subaru Legacy
    • Best 5 Kayak Racks for Subaru WRX
    • Best 5 Kayak Racks for Toyota Tundra
    • Best 5 Kayak Racks for Chevy Trailblazer
    • Best 5 Kayak Racks for Nissan Versa
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Kayak Manual
    Subscribe
    • Home
      1. About
      2. Kayak Types
      3. Inflatable Kayaks
      4. Budget Kayak
      5. Folding Kayaks
      6. Kayak for Rapids
      7. Kayaks for Kids
      8. Sit-In Kayaks
      9. Sit-On-Top Kayaks
      10. Tandem Kayaks
      11. Touring Kayaks
      12. View All

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Envoy

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Acadia

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Yukon

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for Subaru Legacy

      May 9, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Envoy

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Acadia

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Yukon

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for Subaru Legacy

      May 9, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Envoy

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Acadia

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Yukon

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for Subaru Legacy

      May 9, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Envoy

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Acadia

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Yukon

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for Subaru Legacy

      May 9, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Envoy

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Acadia

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Yukon

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for Subaru Legacy

      May 9, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Envoy

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Acadia

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Yukon

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for Subaru Legacy

      May 9, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Envoy

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Acadia

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Yukon

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for Subaru Legacy

      May 9, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Envoy

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Acadia

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Yukon

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for Subaru Legacy

      May 9, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Envoy

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Acadia

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Yukon

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for Subaru Legacy

      May 9, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Envoy

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Acadia

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Yukon

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for Subaru Legacy

      May 9, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Envoy

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Acadia

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Yukon

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for Subaru Legacy

      May 9, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Envoy

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Acadia

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Yukon

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for Subaru Legacy

      May 9, 2025
      Read More
    • Contact
      • Write for Us
    • Privacy Policy
      • Disclaimer
      • Corrections Policy
      • Verification Fact Checking Policy
      • Unnamed Sources Policy
      • Diversity Policy
      • Mission Coverage Priorities Policy
    • Categories
      1. Best Products
      2. Canoe
      3. fishing
      4. kayak
      5. Paddles
      6. Paddle Float
      7. Paddle Leashes
      8. pump
      9. rafting
      10. Roof Rack
      11. Roof Rack Cross Bars
      12. Roof Rack Pads
      13. View All

      Best 5 Kayak Paddle Leashes

      March 23, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Waterproof Backpacks for Kayaking

      April 26, 2025
      Read More

      Best Bed Racks for Chevrolet Silverado

      March 3, 2023
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for Kia Optima

      April 12, 2025
      Read More

      Anatomy of a Paddle Stroke

      March 3, 2023
      Read More

      Your Guide to Canoeing

      December 25, 2022
      Read More

      The Best Way to Load a Canoe Onto Your Roof Racks

      December 14, 2022
      Read More

      How to Outfit a Canoe for Fly Fishing

      December 6, 2022
      Read More

      How to Size a 12 Volt Battery

      May 22, 2023
      Read More

      Gear Up For Fall Kayak Fishing

      March 23, 2023
      Read More

      How to Fish in a Kayak in Texas

      January 3, 2023
      Read More

      How to Install a Rod Holder

      December 25, 2022
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for Subaru Legacy

      May 9, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for Subaru WRX

      May 9, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for Toyota Tundra

      April 27, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for Chevy Trailblazer

      April 26, 2025
      Read More

      Difference between inflatable and foam paddle float?

      October 14, 2023
      Read More

      Do You Really Need Paddle Leashes?

      May 1, 2024
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Paddle Leashes

      March 23, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Paddle Floats

      October 14, 2023
      Read More

      Difference between inflatable and foam paddle float?

      October 14, 2023
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Paddle Floats

      October 14, 2023
      Read More

      Do You Really Need Paddle Leashes?

      May 1, 2024
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Paddle Leashes

      March 23, 2025
      Read More

      Your Guide to Built-in pump

      May 1, 2024
      Read More

      Whitewater Rafting Basics

      December 14, 2022
      Read More

      What to Wear Whitewater Rafting

      December 14, 2022
      Read More

      Paddling vs. Rowing a Whitewater Raft

      December 14, 2022
      Read More

      How do you use a foam roof rack for a kayak?

      May 1, 2024
      Read More

      Best Roof Rack Pads for Kayaks

      October 22, 2023
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for Toyota Prius

      April 27, 2025
      Read More

      Best 6 Kayak Racks for Jeep Compass

      March 22, 2025
      Read More

      Best Roof Rack Pads for Kayaks

      October 22, 2023
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Envoy

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Acadia

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Yukon

      May 10, 2025
      Read More

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for Subaru Legacy

      May 9, 2025
      Read More
    • Best Kayak Rack
      Featured

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Envoy

      By Arthur MooreMay 10, 2025011 Mins Read
      Read More
      Recent

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Envoy

      May 10, 2025

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Acadia

      May 10, 2025

      Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Yukon

      May 10, 2025
    • Blog
    Kayak Manual
    Home » How to Paddle a Two-Person Canoe
    Canoe

    How to Paddle a Two-Person Canoe

    ArthurBy ArthurNovember 4, 2022Updated:November 4, 2022No Comments3 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    How to Paddle a Two-Person Canoe
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    If you have ever tried to paddle a two-person canoe, you know how challenging it is. When done correctly, it can look easy, but it takes practice and excellent teamwork. Do not expect to master the art of paddling your first trip out; this is just one of those activities that takes a bit of time to fully understand.

    Step 1

    Synchronize the forward stroke. If both people on opposite sides of the canoe stroke forward with their paddles at the same time, the craft will move forward in a straight line. If the canoe seems to turn one way or the other, one of you needs to paddle a bit harder or softer to match the other’s force. One key thing to note is that the hand closer to the end of the paddle does the most work, so it is a good idea to switch sides periodically to ensure that each arm gets an equal workout.

    Step 2

    Learn the forward and reverse sweep strokes for turning. The person at the stern, or rear, is the best one to turn the canoe, while the person at the bow, or front, should serve as the lookout. The sweep stroke is a powerful, C-shaped paddle movement that turns the canoe left or right. To make this stroke work, the paddle should be deeper in the water than in a normal stroke, and more vertical.

    Step 3

    Learn the J stroke, which keeps the canoe going straight. Known as the trickiest stroke of all to learn, this one should be done by the person at the stern every few paddles of the canoe. The technique is to complete all but 1/4 of a stroke, then turn the blade of the paddle about 1/4 turn to emulate a small reverse sweep at the very last part of the stroke

    Step 4

    Execute a backwater stroke to slow and stop the canoe. Either person or both can do this stroke simultaneously. The harder you stroke backward the faster the canoe will slow down. Although this stroke will effectively slow and stop the canoe, it is not an immediate process, and should be planned accordingly.

    Step 5

    Shift the canoe slightly using the draw stroke. This is the only special stroke the person at the bow will normally need to use, and is an effective way to gracefully avoid rocks or trees you may encounter in the river. If the draw stroke is not turning the canoe fast enough, the person at the bow can instruct the one at the stern to implement a draw stroke as well to sharpen the turn.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleBest Grand Canyon Raft Tours
    Next Article How to Add a Rudder to a Kayak
    Arthur
    • Website

    Arthur G. Moore is a veteran paddler. He has over 10 years of whitewater kayaking experience in his kitty. When he was young, he used to love kayaking in rapid III and rapid IV but as time went on, he decided to concentrate mainly on covering long distances on a standard touring kayak. He is currently working as a senior editor for Kayak Manual.

    Related Posts

    Anatomy of a Paddle Stroke

    March 3, 2023
    Read More

    Your Guide to Canoeing

    December 25, 2022
    Read More

    The Best Way to Load a Canoe Onto Your Roof Racks

    December 14, 2022
    Read More

    Comments are closed.

    Affiliate Disclaimer

    KayakManual.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, We earn from qualified purchases.

    About Kayak Manual

    Kayak Manual is trying to help both beginners and seasoned kayakers to have a great time on the water by providing them with the most comprehensive and up-to-date information available about kayaking.

    We hope that this manual will provide you with all of the information that you need to get started kayaking or to improve your existing skills. In addition, we have included many helpful tips and resources that we hope you will find useful.

    Category
    • best (5)
    • Best Kayak Accessories (2)
    • Best Kayak Rack (17)
    • Canoe (20)
    • fishing (6)
    • kayak (619)
    • Paddle Float (2)
    • Paddle Leashes (2)
    • Paddles (1)
    • pump (1)
    • rafting (3)
    • Roof Rack (4)
    • Roof Rack Pads (1)
    Latest Posts

    Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Envoy

    May 10, 2025

    Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Acadia

    May 10, 2025

    Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Yukon

    May 10, 2025

    Best 5 Kayak Racks for Subaru Legacy

    May 9, 2025
    Recent Posts
    • Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Envoy
    • Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Acadia
    • Best 5 Kayak Racks for GMC Yukon
    • Best 5 Kayak Racks for Subaru Legacy
    • Best 5 Kayak Racks for Subaru WRX
    • Best 5 Kayak Racks for Toyota Tundra
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
    © 2025 ThemeSphere. Designed by ThemeSphere.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.