When canoeing do you paddle on the same side or opposite sides?

Question

When canoeing do you paddle on the same side or opposite sides?

Answer 1

to go straight opposite sides and to go left or right  paddle on the opposite side as the direction you want to go

Answer 2

Opposite if you want to go straight.

Answer 3

well if you have two or more people in the canoe paddeling on opposite sides and in a step order this will move you forward. So say you have just two people in an eight foot canone. One person towards the front and one person at the rear of the canone. Front person does one paddle stroke on the right side and after the person in the front finishes their stroke the rear person starts their stroke on the left side, after the rear person finishes their stroke the front person starts their stroke on the right side again, in a sychronization moving your canoe forward. Usually the rear person is responsible for the steering of the canoe by inserting the full blade of the paddle under the surface of the water and changing the angle from a rear facing angle to a slight left or right angle depending on which direction you want, and the directions are reverse. So to move left the rear paddle should be in a vertical possition with the full blade submurged and then pushed and held vertical to the right. The more severe the angle the sharper the turn will be. So like a 20 degree angle to the right will give a slight adjustment to the left until the paddle is removed or moved back to a center position in the rear. For advanced canoers its possible to paddle in sycronization  so that front and rear canoers are paddling together on the left side and then in unison paddle together on the right side keeping the canoe moving in a forward direction smoothly. Although the rear person is still responsible for the steering even when using this technique. If its your first canoe trip with another who is also a first timmer for your first few miles try to work on opposite sides. Front person paddles on left side only and rear person paddles on right side only, with the two people alternating strokes, so front does one stroke on the left, after they complete the stroke the rear person does their stroke on the right and once its finished the front person starts their stroke again on the left. Once comfortable with this style consider to try a more advanced style I mentioned earlier. Best thing to do is work together and communicate to front and back to ensure a smooth trip. Depending on the current of the river your paddeling could be rather relaxed as the current will carry the canoe at a comfortable pace, although in this secnario the rear person will do the most work to steer the canoe safely but should not require a great amount of effort as the steering requires small movements and is not a constant need. I know this is a long description, so to answer your question shortly, yes in most cases you will need to paddle on opposite sides to ensure a forward direction, of course if you want to spin in circles paddling on the same side without changing sides is the way to accompolish it. Enjoy your trip, canoing can be a great day and a fun way to make some really good memories. I miss it actually, I have not had a chance to get onto the river in a canoe for about 6 years now, I think your question has inspired me to put together some plans to take a canoe trip, so thank you for that, and hope i helped with your question. Have a great day!

Answer 4

Single person, then use what's called the J stroke. The path your paddle takes through the water looks just like the letter J, starting from the top of the J, move it to the bottom and a flick to the side with your wrist. This way you don't need to change sides, getting you and your gear a little wet. It's not as tiring either.

If two people, let the front person choose their side and you paddle the other. The front person is responsible for most of the power and usually has to do a little more work, so it's just nicer for them to be able to choose their side. the person in the rear provides some power, but is mostly responsible for steering in the straights.

Answer 5

Opposite sides, otherwise you'll be spinning around in circles.

Opposite=straight, both on left=right, both on right=left

Answer 6

With 2 people, oppisite sides. The trick is for the person in the back is to turn the paddle in towards the canoe at the end of each stroke. This will keep the canoe going straight. When canoeing alone. Kneel  on the front seat of the canoe with the back of the canoe facing forward  and use the same stroke technique.

Answer 7

Depends on the situation you are in.  Your front person should tell you if he/she wants you to switch sides or stay on the same side.

Answer 8

In recreational canoeing, it's possible to do both!

Accomplished paddlers can paddle on one side and make the boat move in a straight line - there are more strokes than just the basic forward stroke and sweep stroke.  You can use the goony, the J-stroke or the Canadian stroke to paddle on one side only and go straight.  

In sit and switch paddling, the bow paddler and stern paddler are putting their blades in on opposite sides of the canoe simultaneously.  Typically, two novice paddlers who paddle together on the same side risk capsizing the boat.  People tend to lean a little bit when they dig the blade into the water, so both people leaning on the same side together can cause a roll over.

Have fun out there!

Answer 9

uhhh on both sides, if you just paddle on one side you will go around in circles-its common sense