How to Pry Paddle a Canoe

The pry stroke is excellent for turning your canoe quickly or, if you're solo, for moving sideways in the water. The opposite of a draw stroke, the pry stroke starts next to the canoe and pushes the water away.

Things You'll Need

  • Canoe Gear Bags
  • Canoe Kneeling Pads
  • Canoe Paddles
  • Canoe Yokes
  • Canoes
  • Life Vests
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Instructions

    • 1

      Sit or kneel in a stable position in your canoe.

    • 2

      Hold the paddle with your inside hand on top and your outside hand 1 to 2 feet down the shaft.

    • 3

      Insert the blade of the paddle into the water directly next to the canoe on the side opposite the direction you wish to move.

    • 4

      Hold your top hand out with your arm extended and your bottom hand close to your body.

    • 5

      Pull with your top hand and push with your bottom hand.

    • 6

      Use the side of the canoe as a fulcrum for the paddle to push against the water.

    • 7

      Turn the blade of the paddle sideways, perpendicular to the canoe, and slide it back through the water to the starting position to begin another stroke.