What is some advice you would give to a person in her first canoe race?

Question

I am in a canoe race on Saturday. I have canoed many times before, but just for fun. Should the heavier person be in the back to go faster? Any certain ways to paddle? What is the best way to go the fastest? I am going down stream on a large river, for 3 miles. [Allegheny River. Foxburg, Pa to Parker, PA]

Answer 1

The person in the back steers, so whoever is the better steerer should be in the back.  The river will be fast this year and the person in front will have to look for obstacles (rocks, branches) and let the steerer know where they are.  

Good luck, have fun, wear a lifejacket!

Answer 2

my only advice is to HAVE FUN!

Answer 3

Paddle hard, fast and equally on both sides of the canoe. If not, you'll just spin in little circles! LOL! Good Luck!

Answer 4

The more experienced person should be in the back for a race; steering happens from the rear of the boat, and a novice steersperson would probably be a source for all kinds of struggles.  And, hopefully that person is also a little heavier.  If not, you can add a little weight to the boat just aft of the center to balance it out to help with boat control.

If that means you'll be in the front, keep in mind that the boat will move better if both the bow and stern paddler paddle at the same time.  That means, the blade of your paddle goes in the water, and the hardest part of your PULL on the water happens at the same time.  If you set a regular pace, the person in the back can anticipate your stroke, and you'll glide like there's no tomorrow.  

In a race, you'll want to switch sides every so often, and you'll both need to do so at the same time.  (Both of you paddling on the same side can make the boat heel over - and if you're both digging hard with your paddles, you could flip). As the bow paddler, you'll want to yell out a signal for switching sides.  It's common in paddling to give a 2 or 3-count for switching.  In outrigger racing, the person calling for the switch yells "HIKE!" on about the 12th stroke on one side, then together all the paddlers say "HUT" on the 13th, then the last (14th) stroke on that side all paddlers say "HO!" and as soon as that stroke is finished, all paddlers switch sides and begin paddling on the opposite side.  Start over with the 12 count, and do the Hike, Hut, Ho! thing again.  

Three miles will go by very quickly - try to remember to not just use arm strength - but twist at the waist.  Check out the articles below for more info on technique.