Canoe Poling

A few hints and tips on various approaches to canoe poling and snubbing.
Some slow motion video of canoes being poled and snubbed in different locations and conditions, with a useful commentary on some of the techniques used.

[@MrStarr70]

Love this video - I think it's the best poling instructional video I've seen.... and as it's my current obsession, I've watched ALL of them on KZbin 🙂

[@outdoorinstruction]

Many thanks for the kind words. The chap in the video is now also a professional coach too

[@jerrycookson3072]

Excellent! One of the better poling videos I've come across

[@canoepoler]

Fantastic! Just recently made a playlist of my favourite poling videos on Canoepoler channel. If I can figure out how to do it (far from a given) I will slide this in at the top! Thanks for this effort and standing up for a great and important canoeing skill!

[@outdoorinstruction]

That’s very kind thank you

[@angelaward9734]

A clear explanation of brilliant poling / snubbing skills!

[@dondiego124]

Great video thanks.

[@outdoorinstruction]

Thank you for the kind words

[@Sanctuarysurvival]

Great video guy's thank you.

[@RickTOutdoorAdventure1969]

Great film, lots of information. Thanks for sharing 👍 Atb Rick n Billydog

[@downeastprimitiveskills7688]

Nice to see more canoe poling videos. It would be nice to see these movers at regular speed, as well, maybe a second up load?

[@nickdowling11]

Sorry, but practice doesnt make perfect, practice makes permanent, hence the importance of perfect practice! Great video, thank you for posting :-)

[@outdoorinstruction]

Absolutely right. Perhaps saying “intentional practice improves” as there’s also no such thing as perfect

[@shermanhofacker4428]

Usually I weight the bow heavier when going upstream so the current is not pushing on the larger area of the bottom and is devided to either side. If running a rapid, I weight the back heavier so there is less force from the current. When I was a kid I took mom on a float; she was in the bow and weighed considerably more than I did at 10 years old. I was constantly back paddling to keep from running away from the others on the float that all had the heavier person in the back. Weight forward also helps catch the standing waves and lets you surf them better.

[@outdoorinstruction]

How interesting! That’s the opposite of what I’ve been taught and done. I’m happy to re explore that though.

[@ellon118]

What type and material is the pole made of? What would you recommend? Cheers

[@outdoorinstruction]

This is a two part tubular aluminium pole for toughness and versatility.

[@ytkb8401]

Is there a particular brand pole you'd recommend or are they all pretty much the same?

[@outdoorinstruction]

It depends on what part of the world you live in. I’d stay away from composite poles personally and opt for two sections of aluminium

[@ytkb8401]

@@outdoorinstruction I'm in the UK so I've a few options. Cheers for that.

[@boblazar7701]

I have a rather long question, the native Americans here used ceder canoes here in southern oregon , around Agnes, where the illious river meets the Rouge. my question is, giving the nature of these rivers, would it be foolish to try and head up one with an aluminum 15 foot canoe? I have no experience with canoeing and native Americans where extreme people.

[@outdoorinstruction]

There’s lots of variables in this question! In short you are a free human being to do as you please, however I would consider the issues of things going wrong or getting injured. Everyone eventually falls out of a canoe when poling, so wear a helmet, where a BA / PFD, know how to re enter the boat and perform self rescue. You’d be wise to be with others in case of an issue. I can’t comment on the river or the boat but I’d definitely learn on simple waters first and build up.