Mastering the J Stroke: canoeing

[@spgilmorespgilmore]

I found this to be a better demonstration of the concepts than in other videos. The audio was also very soothing.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you for your kind comment. I love the 'soothing' bit too.

[@johnw5211]

Thanks Ray, the best instructional stroke video on KZbin by a long way.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Wow, thanks! That is kind of you.

[@Adventuristic89]

ray your a real gem to the canoe world! ive recently just got my very first canoe & you have highlighted alot of my mistakes with just this one video! thankyou. when the weather improves ill be going to practice as much as possible. started off on the kneeling thwart and to be honest my knees and legs got real stiff and sore pretty quickly. ill be trying to reverse seating position next time thanks again.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

You are most welcome. Always good to get feedback on the usefulness of my videos

[@PaulKirtley]

Great work Ray. I think this is your best instructional video yet :-)

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Wow, thanks! Yep really worked hard on this one even ditching more or less all of the first video session up at the lake. But that allowed me a clearer idea of what I was trying to achieve. Appreciated my friend.

[@MrMjt888]

Agreed Paul. Please give him a gentle nudge towards adding a voice over to his vernwy video. I’ve given an unsubtle hint myself. Hopefully see you guys soon an def on the Spey in Oct. Take care and hope you’re both well. Mikey

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

@@MrMjt888 Idea taken on board.

[@PaulKirtley]

@@MrMjt888 Mikey I'm not sure if you've done any video editing or uploaded anything to KZbin but once it's done it's done. You can't just add voiceover to a video on here. It sounds simple but it isn't. I'm sure Ray will take on board the idea for future videos though.

[@MrMjt888]

Paul Kirtley Understood. No whinging implied 🙂 This vid was on a different level. Huge leap forward. Loved it.

[@bradlafferty]

This is the best tutorial I’ve ever seen explaining what the J stroke is and also how to let the water raise it and how to move the top hand to ease strain in the wrist. Thank you very much. I cannot wait to practice this summer!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you for you exceptionally kind comments. Have fun practising this and it does take a bit of time for all the elements to work smoothly. Good luck.

[@roocanoe6338]

so much wisdom in this at many levels I notice a little bit more each time i watch it. Love how you explain and demonstrate there are two families of strokes but no clean cut lines between the 'siblings', but they tend to merge and overlap with a bit of a pry here, pause there and pitch or push out at another time depending on what you need. Pretty much a variety of ways to do a so called J stroke by whatever name you choose to call it.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you for such a thoughtful insight. I really need to do a video on the knifed-J/Canadian stroke. It gives yet more on this family of strokes. Keep well and again thank you.

[@roocanoe6338]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe please do, as I look closely at the force, direction and pitch on your blade on each stroke you demonstrate and there is a variety of things happening. Would be keen to understand just how you define the knifed J, or even what Bill Mason titles the Pitch. Ill be waiting

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

@@roocanoe6338 Ah the Pitch stroke. Might be waiting a time for that one. Yep Knifed J soon.

[@islandbirdw]

Good on you for demonstrating this while wearing your lifesaving life jacket

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I always try to demonstrate good practice. Thank you

[@WillyEast]

Finally a tutorial I could actually follow. Thank-you!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you for that kind observation. Glad it works for you.

[@WillyEast]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe My wife and I went canoeing after watching this and another video. It was very easy to steer the canoe using the J stroke and forward or power strokes we learned. Other people on the river who clearly did not learn the strokes were having difficulty steering. Thank-you again.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

@@WillyEast You are most welcome

[@chaswarren7239]

Hi Ray, I converted to canoe after 30 or 40 years paddling kayak, so stern rudder is natural for me & my attempts at J stroke have always strained my wrist. I just put it down to my personal biology & resigned myself to a slightly embarrased stern rudder - never feeling like a proper canoe paddler. I have watched countless "Learn the J Stroke videos" in the past, but without success. Your video is so clear and well explained that I think I can see it now. Can't wait to try it in practice. Thank you both so much - awesome.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you for you kind comments. I am glad the tips are helping. Even so it is an investment in time and energy to get an efficient J-Stroke. Keep at it and good luck, ray

[@HandcraftedleatherUK]

Thanks Ray, this vid has cleared up all the faults and questions I found of myself yesterday whilst I was out trying to learn this.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Glad it helped. I tried to make it as comprehensive as possible but I think it always better to refer to the video after using the ideas/trying yourself. It all makes more sense then.

[@Iancarriedaway]

One of the best paddling tutorials I've seen!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Wow, thanks! Really appreciated.

[@tumbleweed6658]

Hi Ray pretty new to canoeing I own a 16 foot Dolphin canoe and your videos are excellent this will be my 2nd summer canoeing you have been such a great video teacher many thanks.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Welcome aboard! Good to hear they have been so useful.

[@michaelwolf8781]

Solo canoeing tutorials would be great. Thanks for sharing. My favourite channel.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Noted! So much to work on and no access to water at present with the lockdown. Yep I will give this some thought and get on with it (slowly). Cheers

[@ericl2969]

I enjoyed this even though I "reasonably perfected" my J-stroke ages ago. It's just fun to listen to a good paddler explain his ways of thinking and doing, because every good paddler I've met does things just slightly differently from every other. I must admit that during my early times of learning to canoe (learning to paddle properly, that is), it came as a surprise to me that such an originally North American craft as what we think of as "canoes" have such an enthusiastic following in Britain. I had gone most of my life without knowing that, and it's just another of those examples of how people everywhere have far more in common than not.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you for that very thoughtful and positive comment. It is appreciated.

[@TheTildar]

Thanks dude, ive been paddling around in circles for hours now in my cataraft trying to figure out what to do

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I hope that helps when you are next on the water. Have fun

[@hntrains2]

Done by someone who does want people to learn and to know. A lot of practice and a few returns to this video will help one master the stroke.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

That is a very kind comment. Thank you.

[@canoeingnav7618]

Great instructional video Ray. I am envious of your ability to knee the way you do. I am afraid damage to my knees from military service prevents me from kneeling for any period of time.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

My knees are reaching the end. 50+ years on the mountains and in canoes. I am crippled when I get out. But had a great time all those years. And thanks for the kind comments.

[@martinoutdoors6941]

Great video very well explained and nice to see the ‘where you could be going wrong’ elements. Hope your keeping well.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thanks 👍 Yep keeping we'll and now working on the Indian Stroke. All good here

[@martinoutdoors6941]

Ray Goodwin i know your sponsored but will you be doing a video on drysuits, what to look for etc ??

[@MsAffli]

Thank you so much Ray for this. I am just learning and this supports hugely. 🛶💖🙏🏼

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

You are most welcome

[@hoagietime1]

I was taught j-stroke for white water paddles and canadian stroke for flat water tripping paddles. Thumb up gives more rudder power while you can paddle thumb down all day, day after day.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Hi, I don't tend to differentiate between the types of paddle for different strokes. I do use a Canadian stoke with a white water blade if I am doing distance. This is mainly because I have to use whatever paddles an outfitter supplies when I am out in Canada. But certainly it is easier to learn some strokes with certain paddles. Thanks for watching.

[@philschaefer4651]

Another great video. I'll be out at the lake practicing this as soon as I can.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Have fun and not too much frustration.

[@pipster3613]

Thanks Ray really enjoyed that very much and the channel I often tune in it’s a wonderful learning resource. Take care The Millers

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you Phil. Appreciated

[@viviennicholls1490]

Thank you Ray and Lina for a excellent tutorial on the various stokes/paddles. really would love to learn how to do the whipping on a blade shaft.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you for your kind comment. A few have asked about the whipping. I better get on with the video.

[@carolemartin6892]

Hi Ray. Enjoyed your video on canoe strokes & the centre kneeling seat . Canoeing is great. I used to solo canoe, (no whitewater), but now I kayak. So much more manageable in the wind & a lot lighter. Cheers.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

That is kind of you. Yep the correct kayak does make life easier in a wind. Again thanks

[@nigelarmstrong9280]

Hi Ray. Just started paddling and your videos are most helpful. Out tomorrow to practice. Cheers.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Glad to have been of service. As a tip I always reckon the videos make even more sense once you have been out and practised the skill... they may then confirm some of the things you have been doing and help pick up any problems. Anyway have fun tomorrow.

[@Tim8o1]

Nice one Ray, I could almost feel your concentration as you are demonstrating how not to exit the blade from the water. as for the practising on both sides, that is very very good advice, I wish I had done that from the very start. Thankfully I am able to use both sides now, although it still feels alien to me. But truth be told I would have been blown out to sea if I wasn't able to paddle on both sides when paddling on an open sea loch in testing conditions.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

That made me chuckle. Yep I had to concentrate to do it wrong! Thank you for your comments. Cheers

[@downeastprimitiveskills7688]

Hi Ray, more great stuff! The thumb up steering pry or rudder is also called the gooney stroke, I find it awkward. Another advantage to the elongated grip, guide grip, you show is the paddle can be longer or shorter depending on where the grip is applied, you can even stand and paddle.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Hi, yep I also know it as the goon stroke. As a principal I never use that name as it implies that it is a foolish or unskilled stoke and words are powerful, hence I never use it as a name in my book or videos. Stern pry or stern rudder gives it a legitimacy. I will do a couple of videos on the stern rudder and stern pry but not 'til this lockdown is over. Yep I have a much longer paddle where the Northwoods style is very appropriate and yep I occasionally use it to stand and paddle. Thank you for you thoughtful comments. regards

[@Tim8o1]

@ downeast re; getting used to using the stern pry; when I used a plastic paddle I practiced the stern pry, then switched back to a J when using a wooden paddle. After a while I could switch from one to the other seamlessly to suit the situation; be it with a plastic paddle or wooden paddle. Adding onto what Ray said about power, when prying off the gunnel, you can really add to the power by leaning back applying some of your body weight to it, (being mindful of the paddle shaft and its strength) I hope this makes sense? Cheers Tim

[@downeastprimitiveskills7688]

@@Tim8o1 Yes, I am using the stern pry now and again. as Ray pointed out the silliness of the name goon or goony just adds to its awkwardness, I see it as more control of the paddle in the water. I do pry off the rails a lot and need to get a decent wrap on my cedar paddle as it flakes off wood kind of like pounding ash.

[@downeastprimitiveskills7688]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe No intent to term something foolish, I get what you mean though. Another variation on the J is the in water return, or the Indian stroke, I play with this frequently, almost a forward sculling stroke.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

@@downeastprimitiveskills7688: Lots of folk know it as the goon or goodie stroke so you are not alone. The Indian Stoke is one of my next videos.

[@jenniferbailey44]

Thanks for sharing. Very clear instruction on J stroke. Much appreciated 👍

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Very welcome. Glad it was so useful. Thank you.

[@stanley70]

Thanks a lot, that's what I suspected but wasn't sure. I really like this canoe, it's really beautiful. Well, but in your hands, each swims great because you are an amazing and very experienced rower. I have seen many of your videos and I am very impressed with your knowledge and skills in canoeing . Greetings and have a good day .

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

That is so kind of you. Very many thank and I am glad to be of help.

[@mivaso]

Thank you for some great educational video. I progressed rather fast from pointing my thumb down to up, not realizing it was a different named stroke. As an canoe instructor i Denmark, I paddled a lot solo, and my wrist could not take the load in this down pointing position, so I switched to up, and can paddle for weeks without any problems. The last three years I had nearly exclusively paddled indian style/Canadian Freestyle when soloing here in Norway where I live now. I came to your channel seeing your sailing tutorials by the way, mixing everything up. :-).

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yep its great to mix sailing, poling and paddling. It's one of the reasons I so love the canoe. Interestingly I meet a lot of folk that find the J-stroke stressful on the wrist but with the trick of sliding the hand around and not have the blade on edge every stroke, people seem to master it. I would be interested in your experience if you play with that. Certainly, over distance, the J is a smoother more efficient strokes. Good to hear from you. Thanks

[@mivaso]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Hi again. I love canoeing and I'm exited to try new things with it, so sailing will be the summer project. I haven't done a lot of poling, due to the requirement of a VERY long pole in the waters I paddle, but it could be something to try when the water predicted it. :-) I also think a lot find J-stroke stressful because of the way they are placed in the canoe, spiced with lack of upper body rotation. More rotation will place the arm and wrist more natural for the J-stroke, as you also say and nicely show in you video. If people are sitting straight, without body rotation the wrist will end up with a terrible angle, or rotation around the top as you show. I always teach for a good body rotation, but I think it is something people easy forget, and must remind themselves about. I have paddle many types of canoe, and my wrist is much better with J-stroke when kneeling toward the paddle side, and leaning the canoe, but today I primarily paddle a Bergans Ally (skin on frame canoe), because I like to use and show the ability to collapse it into a backpack when paddling from A to B, and the very light weight 15kg. but it has some drawbacks, which I think is why I progressed to a different style. The seat is fixed in the center, and badly shaped for other than wide straight kneeling, and the frame in the bottom is making it hard to be placed at an angle towards the paddle side when kneeling, but I will design a new full width seat and a pole attachment for sailing. Maybe it also help when canoeing, I hope. I will give the J-stroke a try with your hand rotation technique on my next trip, I agree the J stroke is more efficient over distance. I will tell you what I think. Have a nice day. Regards Michael

[@Gunslinger-1962-martin]

Loved this tuition ray 👌🛶 , I was advised against the cheaper option paddle for that ridge that comprises the J stroke by a kind gentleman at Manchester Canoes 🙌👍 only had my boat ( novacraft bob special tuff stuff ) a couple of months ( first boat ) and I for some reason decided to paddle left and right sided with good results on both sides 👍 ps A beautiful boat to paddle , thanks again Ray 👏👏👌

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

You got some good advice there. I have just paddled for 13 days on a river in Canada using a paddle with a spine on it... so annoying but that is what the outfitter sent. Yep the Bob Special is a great boat and in tuffstuff really light. Fantastic stuff

[@Welshboyo76]

Hi Ray and Lina ... another awesome vid , could you do one on how to put the whipping on the paddle shaft please . Would be something we can all do at home ready for when the apocalypse has finished :)

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Great suggestion! I need to replace the current whipping so will do a short video.

[@nedsmanks1705]

Thank you, great video and very concise with great examples shown. Really helpful!!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

You're very welcome! Your kind comments are appreciated.

[@madaprak]

Once again...great video! Thanks Ray.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

My pleasure!

[@williamthewoodsman4101]

Great video, thanks so much

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you for your kind comment. Appreciated

[@jefffski]

Excellent. Wonderfully clear explanations. Thank you for discussing the short J. It's what I use with my tandem partner. As I do it, my paddle barely comes out of vertical. It's so quick that I can do the quick J and keep paddling in sync with my bow at about 45 strokes per minute on calm water. I might add another advantage of the J vs the rudder/goon stroke is that it does not slow down the boat as much. The thumb up stroke tends to have more of a braking action. Another point about stern correction strokes in calm water is to make minor corrections each J. So, if you need to, say, adjust your course by 10 degrees, and you're not in a hurry, make the correction a little at a time over a series of strokes. That way, you avoid over correcting and having the boat drift past your intended target. It's also easier and in the long run, faster. All this is just quibbling. Your video is great.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you for you useful comments and I am glad you are generally in agreement. We will all have our takes on this stroke but I wanted to get a base out there for those just learning it. I will be doing a video on thumb up corrections in a future video.

[@danielwheeldon9180]

Great video, can't wait to try them out!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Have fun! But also remember that the learning process can be quite frustrating at times. Have fun.

[@oddmanout98]

Thanks Ray, I'm a new subscriber so I'm finding your channel very useful. Up till now I've been a kayaker but I'm just about to get a canoe. I've recently hired one to give it a try and I love it. I follow a couple of canoe wild campers and do a little of that with my kayak however, been able to take any kit I choose with me is also very appealing. Our 16' hire boat was quite heavy so with several portages made for a tiring day. Add to that the wrist strain whilst learning the J stroke actually made me realise I need some pointers. You have provided that for me so thank you very much. All the best. Paul

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Sound like quite an adventure for a first day with portages and all. I hope the J-stoke is beginning to work for you and thank you for you comments.

[@oddmanout98]

Thanks Ray, It was a stretch of water on the River Stour I've paddled before, Sudbury to Bures Just never in a canoe. I did have my wife and dog for help though! I'm thinking about a Silverbirch Broadland 15 They look great, very similar to your Venture canoe. We'll be out again next week, giving it another go.

[@alanmorris3636]

Thanks Ray, my wife and I are just starting out in this sport, we live in the Midlands UK, we were advised by the UK OCA FB page to watch your instructional videos, that was great advice. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us newbies.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

That is awesome! If you are paddling tandem make sure you have a look at kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5uzhoyndt92qZI Have fun.

[@alanmorris3636]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Thank you we certainly will.....very much appreciated.

[@brendanfrost9775]

This is awesome! Thank you very much. I am very new to canoeing with any regularity and I am kind of curious why I am having minimal luck. This video has been the most helpful at understanding what a j-stroke literally is. But whenever I go out, in spite of feeling more clear on what a j-stroke is and that I am doing it at least partly correctly now, I cannot get to a point where I can keep the paddle on one side. I never last more than maybe like 5 strokes at most--usually am switching sides every two strokes. I am curious if you might have some ideas on why. I am using a Lincoln Hideaway, I am sitting in the seat, which is near-center but slightly more toward stern. I switch between using added footrests and sitting with my feet cross-legged just in front of the seat, under my knees. I don't really see a way to get as much on one side as you are doing here, though I guess I could scootch to one side in the seat, but it feels iffy when I do. I am on a lake, tho in its name is pond, but it is technically a lake, with winds usually from 5pmh to 15mph. Tho one day they got as high as 27mph. Waves are constant, albeit often very small. It does strike me as a particularly incredibly light canoe, and it is pretty short too, so maybe these things are working against me tracking forward, I am not sure. It's just wild, it really seems like no matter what every stroke pushes me significantly in the other direction, i never achieve anything like steady straightness. Also, my paddles are much closer to that kind you are using at 9:00, t-shaped handles and short and squat paddle body, not long like the main one you use in this video. I did notice in my latest viewing that one thing I am not doing is leaving the paddle in the water for any real amount of time in the backstroke, the "J" part of it, so that has certainly been working against me. I basically just do the same short amount of time in water each time. So yea, not sure at all, but my theories for my troubles are: Superlight boat, and pretty short Perhaps this lake is much windier than some rivers I am sitting dead-center instead of to one side Too little time with the paddle in the water especially in the backstroke/J part of it Obviously, my inexperience lol Anyway, thanks!!! Again, awesome video.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I would guess it is what you have suggested, you don't allow the blade to do its correction before you get it out of the water. Plus check your blade is at a high enough angle, on its edge, when you are steering. But it is really hard learning from a book or video. Good luck.

[@martinfoy5167]

Hi ray , I really found this video very helpful , it comes across as a more personal one to one tuition , thankyou 🛶👌

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Great to hear! I think I try to slip into my 'coach' persona so I try to give it that feel. So thank you very much

[@suetadman9072]

Thanks for the advice about reducing wrist strain, that's someting I do have a problem with. I'll be reducing my grip from now on. I really like the views from your rear mounted camera, it's so much easier to visualise and compare with your own paddling when seeing it from the 'same angle'. Thanks so much for all your efforts putting these videos together, they are incredibly useful in focusing the mind and giving us things to work on each time we go out to improve our techniques.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

You are most welcome. When we eventually get to paddle together I will have a look for you. but yep it does tend to be an over grip that causes the problem and swivelling the hand removes most of this.

[@TheEarthboundmisfits]

Thanks Ray that's makes it so much more understandble. 😃

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Happy to help

[@nigelgregory4777]

I must say, Lina demonstrated it beautifully, 😉😉😘☕☕

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I should think so too! yep.

[@waynewhidden5617]

Great video surprised that you don’t have a bent shaft paddle for flat water

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Good comment. I tend to use bent shafts on straighter running canoes. I have done miles using them on expedition in the Boundary Waters of Michigan. Got a really lightweight carbon Wenonah. One day I will get around to making a video about them. But yes I use bent shaft paddles.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Good comment. I tend to use bent shafts on straighter running canoes. I have done miles using them on expedition in the Boundary Waters of Michigan. Got a really lightweight carbon Wenonah. One day I will get around to making a video about them. But yes I use bent shaft paddles. It is amazing how things differ from area to area: in the Boundary Waters most folk use bent shafts, in Algonquin in Ontario most will use straight paddles and J stroke.

[@grahamjohnson1200]

Thank you Ray much needed at the moment 😁 really clear and concise, brilliant! At some stage would you demonstrate you filming rig and film technique which you very kindly talked through on the excellent Spey trip last year thanks again Graham.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yes I will. That will one of the future projects.

[@gugeyer]

Hi Ray, excellent instructions, but would you be able to make a video demonstrating the strokes with a bent paddle in solo?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Hi, I have used bent paddles quite a bit but always tandem. In solo I would really need to get hold of a straight running boat, all of mine are too general purpose and too willing to turn. I hope to do a bit on bent paddles in the future but I am not sure it will answer what you want. not sure what to suggest. Sorry.

[@bryanturbo99]

Thank you Ray and Lina for another great demo which compliments your book very well. Would love to see how you cope with winds - without any sails. I find quarter and side winds particularly testing to keep a straight course. I also am interested in knowing how you handle the boat while an energetic dog moving up and down the boat 'mastering' the trim:)

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Hi, I think the wind video will have to wait until the lockdown ends :-) It will be on the list. As for the dog I am still trying to work that out! Mind Billie will stay still if I need him to but the rest of the time he bounces from one gunwale to the other. He has been the cause of me swimming on more than one rapid. So still working on that one.

[@bjornfelluk]

Excellent video, thanks for sharing.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you too!

[@mattbrown2654]

Thanks Ray, now I know why my wrist hurts while trying the J Stroke

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yep the combination of moving the knees and/or hips to a diagonal plus the hand shift should help a lot. Glad it was of use.

[@srappywoo]

So helpful, thank you 🤩

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

You’re welcome 😊

[@susannewilliams]

Yes yes yes! Keep them coming please! ❤️

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yep more to come. Editing a two parter at the moment on the Big Salmon and Yukon rivers. Need to get on with more technical paddling ones as well.

[@TN.70]

Ray, Dziękuję👍👍👍

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Serdecznie zapraszamy

[@aarons5724]

The way I explain it is that when you take the first part of your stroke (from the right side, say), you are pulling the boat slightly (or at times, significantly) toward the side you are paddling on. But the second part--the actual "j"--helps course-correct you, but pushing the direction back toward the original direction.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Not sure I am with you there. The power element of the stoke will push the boat away from the stroke. So paddling on the right the bow moves left. Then the steering element (the J) corrects this. This is massively exaggerated on the very first stoke form stationary to in requires either much more steering or a modified stroke like a C to start with. Anyway that's my thinking. Thank you for commentating. Discussion is always good.

[@jeremypolk86]

Ya it's not pulling you toward that side but pushing you away. A normal stroke on the right pushes you left , not pulls you right

[@juliedavies3785]

Great video Ray! Really enjoyed it and always something new to learn. If you do another (you mentioned the stern pry and stern rudder in another) would you include a demo of the C stroke? With your camera boom I bet you can do a corker of a demo with it. Thanks so much, really enjoying watching these during lockdown. So a big thanks 🙂🙂🙂

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yep. C is on the list! And thank you for your kind comments.

[@juliedavies3785]

Ray Goodwin I’ve posted on the club page as I think these resources are great for all of us when we’re dying to be out there but can otherwise spend our time learning.

[@sergiumocan3355]

Now this is what i call "a short, complete and very easy to understand instructional video" on how to paddle a canoe, from a stand still to full speed... or a relaxed steady stroke. Just perfect. Thank you. BTW you still have the paddle that the other Ray made for you on the spot with his axe and that special knife?.. :)

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you that. Appreciated. Yes I do still have that paddle. It and the spatula are on the wall above me. 😊

[@zephyr707]

rly enjoying how thorough you explain these. would be great to see a vid on some of those variations you mentioned like the indian, canadian, etc. i’ve heard abt a goon stroke and a difference between a j and river j. there is a lot of terminology that gets thrown around and it seems like there is quite a bit of crossover with some of these strokes

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Terminology! It's a can of worms. So a goon stroke I don't use as a term but rather stern rudder and, if off the gunwale, stern pry. As far as I can see the 'River J' is just another term for a stern rudder/stern pry. Indian Stroke is kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoaskmuYh8mChsU Anyway thank you for you kind comments and the Canadian Stroke will be done soon.

[@kyle7273]

I love that beavertail paddle. Is it homemade?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Made by a company called Freebird. There is a link in the information below the video. Yep it is a great paddle, one of my favourites

[@Trailtraveller]

Ray, do you have tips to learn to sit on the knees ? My knees are a bit troublesome. And sitting on the knees will hurt after a few minutes.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Ah the difficult question. Sad thing is my own knees are finally becoming troublesome and I am thinking of getting a scan on them to see if the damage is bone or ligament. Anyway a number of suggestions: A sloping seat or kneeling thwart makes thing more comfortable along with plenty of padding. With folk I am coaching I often tell them only to kneel when the conditions dictate so with rough conditions on a lake or running a decent rapid. I even had one customer, who had broken his femur years before, practise little and often at home. But putting it into perspective I did a 9 day wilderness trip in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota using fast canoes and bent shaft paddles. The seats in those boats were low so no kneeling at all during the trip. Hope that helps.

[@joeyfekete1433]

Thanks Ray! Just wondering when you would use the stern rudder over the J stroke? Does the stern rudder provide more abrupt or powerful turning?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

The J is more efficient with providing a more efficient transfer between power and steering. Rudders and stern pries are more powerful steering strokes. So surfing down a lake with a strong tail wind I will largely using stern rudders. Surfing waves on a river will normally be with rudders. Certainly visible in surfing video and some of the sailing ones.

[@-ZELTHELD-]

Would you say, if you can only afford one of these premium paddles, to take the biggest one, especially if you are a heavy guy? So should I take the right away the white water big dipper over white water, regular dipper and big dipper paddle?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Certainly not the regular dipper, I think you would find the blade too small. personally the WW Big Dipper is my go to paddle on white water (if it is very shallow I will swap to a plastic bladed paddle) and in a wind as well. I like the stiffness of the shaft when I am putting in a big effort.

[@EKEACRES]

Could you please tell me if this method works with Small Solo Canoe's under 12' in Length?, or is a Kayak paddle better for those? Thank you.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

It should do but I have no direct experience. Have fun trying. PS. A number of folk with smaller canoes use kayak paddles to go into the wind.

[@EKEACRES]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Thank you for your reply.

[@ericl2969]

It absolutely works with short canoes. Proof of this is that it works with "medium-length" solo canoes that have enough rocker to be completely squirrely if they are not kept under constant and strict control. The same custom tailoring of every phase of every stroke that keeps a highly maneuverable (directionally-unstable) boat tracking like an arrow will accomplish the same thing on a little 12-footer. Most higher quality solos of such short length, however, are built with very low seats and have low sides, and it's expected that the user will use a double-blade (as Ray mentioned), but some makers offer the option of higher seats for kneeling and/or making good use of a single-blade.

[@hendikaf3525]

Wonderfull video , do you recommend this technique for long distances , i am currently using a double blade but willing to learn this.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yes, absolutely. However it will feel like a step backwards initially as it takes a time so acquire and hone the skill. I would certainly keep taking the double blade for some while.

[@hendikaf3525]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe I will do , thanks for the videos and the response

[@stevenblair2050]

Hi there. I have just started canoeing and I have a 14ft fibreglass and resin solo canoe. A couple of questions. Firstly , am I best sitting/kneeling as close to the yoke as possible. I find the positioning of the kneeling seat a bit far back. You also say to paddle it backwards if solo but my canoe looks identical both ends so am I correct in saying there really is no backwards and forwards. Also, I read somewhere that the length of paddle should come up to just below the chin. I am not very confident in the water so it seems a silly hobby to take up but when I watch your videos it just looks so easy and fun. I also find I have to keep changing the side I paddle on to keep a straight line but you seem to do all the paddling from one side and the boat goes straight. What am I doing wrong. More practice? Thanks for your time. Steven. Ps Fell in for first time yesterday. Not pleasant. Cheers

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yep being close to the yoke (solo) means that the end you are looking at is not too far in the air. Some folk remove the carrying yoke so they can have a seat or kneeling thwart positioned so your weight is only just behind the mid point. Most canoes, but not all, are symmetrical so forwards is the way I am facing. With a plastic style paddle I use an inch or so below the chin as an easy measurement: this does not work with wooden paddles like an otter tail where the blade is very long. Changing sides: with practice you should be able to stay on one side most of the time. It is a great hobby just make good decisions on where to paddle. Have fun. (Sorry for slow reply but I have had had a serious infection and have only just got over it)

[@steppe21]

Hi Ray, I'm Steppe from Berlin Germany, first of all sorry for my bad English. I've 3 Questions...At the beginning at about 1:17 you paddle a stroke with your thumb up. For me it seems much easier and more stressless for my wrist than with the j stroke, where the thumb turns down? Are both strokes one the same way effective for steering and forward? I'm using a Kajak, because my knees are shit. would love to go in a Kanu, but probably no good idea if I can only sit in it?! Greetings from Berlin Steppe

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

The thumb up is a more powerful and easier to learn steering stroke. The J stroke, with thumb down, is a far more efficient transfer between the power element of a stroke and the steering, you are using the same blade face to provide power and steering. It is harder to learn and until you learn the real tricks of the stroke, this is explained in the video, it can put stress on the wrist. You will need to watch carefully to see what I do with the top/control hand. Try to follow the explanation carefully as I do cover it in the video. Hope this helps. Ray

[@steppe21]

Thank you Ray, of course it helps. The only problem is that I can only sit in the Kanu, but it is like it is. 😊 Best regards Steppe

[@ccwweeman3385]

Thanks for sharing ray im new to this and in middle of looking for my first canoe nice to see these paddle strokes you make it look so easy thanks again , could you recomend between a hou canoe venture nova craft or any other brand its for local lochs in scotland and taking grandkids out while camping thanks All the best and stay safe ....colin 👍🛶

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Glad I could help. Hi fella, Hou, Nova Craft and Venture all make good boats. I am sponsored by Venture and choose to be with them. I use the Venture Prospector which is a good boat for touring including lakes and rivers like the Spey. The Hou Prospector is good as well so I would recommend that you go to a supplier that will let you try them out to see if which suits you better, but having said that all would do the job. If you are taking the grand kids out I would get a little tuition or join a club to increase your knowledge not only of strokes but far more importantly the judgement calls you need to make. All of us make mistakes so it important to understand the consequences due to cold water, wind or distance from the shore. My book has plenty on this but nothing beats contact with folk who have experience. But it is great to paddle and camp with youngsters and so many do it with safety and enjoyment. Have fun.

[@ccwweeman3385]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe hi thanks so much ray very much appreciated sir i have a local country park water (loch) that does lessons and everything about safety its only 2 miles away ,definetly going to look at the venture and hou prospector canoes thanks for returning my questions i will have a look online for your book cheers all the best ....colin 👍🛶🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

@@ccwweeman3385 Looks like a good plan. Amazon do the book but I also do signed copies direct: Email for information [e-mail]

[@markatkinson9963]

Is it normal to have a "c" likemail finish in the stroke? I find it make the canoe straighten out naturally .

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

yes. The J is meant to bend out at the end of the stroke hence the J shape to it. Have a look at my C-stroke video for some extra information on a variation. Cheers

[@petermyler7458]

Great advice, Ray. Thanks. I’ll be checking to make sure I’m not making those mistakes now. What are your thoughts on using asymmetrical grips, like some of those found on Redtail paddles, and how they affect certain strokes? I was also interested to see you wearing the NRS Odyssey. I’m about to purchase a new pfd and this has come out top of my list. Would you recommend it for all round canoe tripping and camping?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Hi Peter, Thank you for your comments. Asymmetrical grips: much prefer and generally use symmetrical one myself other than on bent shaft/elbow paddles. I think it is because the Indian Stroke is such an important part of my paddling and you rotate the hand grip in that. But that is about style and opinion and lots of folk love the Redtail paddles. NRS Odyssey: love it. I am sponsored by NRS but them having PFDs that work for me was a key part of the deal. Hope that all helps, Ray

[@petermyler7458]

Thanks, Ray. That’s very helpful 🙂

[@MsAffli]

What is a gunnel? Can’t find the translation to it. Thanks.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

It’s gunwale. On my canoe the black plastic trim all around the top. The spelling and pronunciation don’t quite match up

[@MsAffli]

Thank you Ray. Hope you're well. Regards from Holland

[@Christopherjamesmurphy21]

Are you the guy that hung out with ray mears for a few videos? Persevering through a bow drill fire?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yes

[@Christopherjamesmurphy21]

@RayGoodwinCanoe I really enjoy you as a person. Your voice is very calming. There was one point in that video you look up and sweat was pouring off your brow and you just sigh and say "frustration" when I get frustrated with things still to this day I think of your face and the way you said that and persevered through. And it helps be get through my task. Thank you

[@TOOZECRUISE]

Good day Ray. Question for you. Pertaining to canoe paddle shaft length. I generally paddle from a sitting position in a Prospector 15' canoe. I think I have my ottertail paddle sized property but given this extra time to really think about my purchase I was wondering if a more river style blade with say a 18' blade would need a longer shaft? My understanding is that the shaft length should remain the same on any style paddle seeing as your grip on the shaft remains the same, and with good technique you're putting the whole blade in the water but little to no shaft. But then when I go to shop for one of these shorter blade paddles they don't even make a shaft length to accommodate matching my ottertail (34"shaft) telling me that you really do need a longer shaft on those shorter blade style paddles. With the way I'm currently doing it, I'm a 5'10 man and I'm trying to select a shorter than the shortest available paddle so I figure I'm doing something wrong. Any input would be awesome. I'm clearly overthinking this. It's just I'm shopping online due to covid and don't want to have to ship back.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I tend to keep all the shafts around the same length. The only big difference is I tend to use a shorter paddle expeditioning in North America as the boat is heavily laden and deeper in the water. I am 5' 7'' and paddle with shaft length around 35'' so yours might be a bit short for my taste. I would probably go for around 38'' for shaft length for someone of your height however it does come down to personal taste in the end. A lot of white water paddles come with the shaft uncut so you can tailer to your own taste. Hope this helps a bit. Kind regards Ray

[@TOOZECRUISE]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Thanks for the reply Ray. I value your input.

[@brendanfrost9775]

How long do you find you are able to maintain that kneel? I found kneeling to be extremely taxing--to be fair I did not try it by doing it on top of the bar like you are doing here. Maybe that was my issue. But whether I tucked my toes straight back like you do here, or flipped them forward and thus had my heels pressing them down, it really hurt my ankles.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

The kneeling thwart is designed to make it easier but it doesn’t stop the ankle problem. A lot of it is in getting used to it. I have been expeditioning on the River Spey the last five days and maybe kneeling 2 hours at time. The ankles and legs take a little time to work again after that. It was easier when I was younger but at 72 I find the recovery longer.

[@willwatkins1489]

what is the length of the canoe in this video?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

15’5’’. Or 4.64 metres

[@chronicbionic5442]

I see a very long blade on the paddle Ray, does this improve speed?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Ok so the following is just my opinion: If I want to go fast or pull hard I will use a short bladed paddle such as a beaver tail. Lots of blade engaged the moment you touch water. Otter tail paddles, long thin blades, have a much more gradual application of grip and power. But this style of otter tail is very sensitive to the water so it is a pleasure to paddle with in easier conditions and is generally much more feely in the water. So strokes such as the J and Indian (or Hunting/Silent stroke) are much easier to learn. Hope that helps. Ray

[@garydebacher9870]

The goon stroke is more efficient than the J stroke in the stern. In ww canoes, I only need to use a correction about every 5 strokes, and I still may not use a J stroke.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

We will have to disagree on that one🙂. Generally most folk feel the J-stroke is the more effective steering stoke for cruising. The pry (sometimes called the goon stroke) is certainly a more powerful steering stroke and lots of us use it on white water or when accelerating, hence it is the subject for another of my videos on the channel. But we can each have our own opinion.

[@stanley70]

Hello I have a question . Is it a Prospector 155 or maybe 165 because I can't see anything exactly? thanks and regards.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

155. Hope that helps

[@tombeckett4340]

You can pick your good shoulder over your bad one which is handy . That’s important when you’re our age. 😬🇨🇦👍

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Absolutely. Age does slow us down as my body likes to remind me.

[@nm-ge4tb]

👌👍👍👍👍✌

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you

[@jimdodd3462]

Why do people bang the side of the, canoe with the paddle ? No one ever snuck up on a critter, banging the canoe.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Have a look at the video on the Indian Stoke which shows a silent stroke for sneaking up on wildlife. So I shift between stokes for different purposes. Levering off the side of a canoe makes for very easy steering over a long distance, for silence I use the Indian Stoke.