Open Water Solo Paddler Canoe Strokes

Trialing my new Hou Canoes Prospector on its first ever day on water, I was lucky enough to capture the moment and also how well the boat handles. It’s been out fitted for arduous trips for both solo and tandem paddling so it’s a very versatile machine.
Since filming I’ve paddled in force 5/6 and handled G3/4 rivers with full expedition kit in this boat.
Hopefully seeing some of the strokes in application will highlight their usefulness.

[@johnmorgan4849]

I love this video. Watched it several times. Makes me want to learn these stokes. Like dancing on water.

[@outdoorinstruction]

Thank you for the kind comments

[@fraseranderson217]

Well done! Smooth, efficient. Great examples of various paddling techniques

[@outdoorinstruction]

Very kind, thank you

[@troutbummi]

Broh! Great video. No bullshit, just strokin'. 🤙🤙🤙 5 bonus stars for the least offensive music. Lol For real.

[@explorerjames8563]

Lovely video...quite mesmerising! I'm a novice paddler and would love to see that a little zoomed-in

[@outdoorinstruction]

Hold the screen realllllly close to your face 😊 But thanks, quite pleased for an unplanned mess about.

[@justadutchman5169]

That looks like a lot of fun. 👍👊

[@ptrckmuir]

Skills!! 👌

[@kevinbradbury442]

Thanks Mate. Is it me, or did the stroke names change since the 1990s? Superb Box stroke and feathering looks excellent. I hope to teach the kids regardless of the stroke names. RIP Bill Mason, the original OP (Original Paddler).

[@outdoorinstruction]

Yes many names have changed and I’d guess continue to due to cultures and idiosyncratic approaches. Now the move is to clarify concepts and principles so people can create or implement their own manoeuvres.

[@robertgordon5150]

I wish you had picked Lady in Red for your background music 😆. You made that look effortless. Good skills sir. I’ve just been looking at Hou’s which brought me here. Looking for something lighter then my Charles River.

[@richardswinson4381]

Would have liked to have seen some reverse strokes, hanging and t draw, and prys

[@reelchef67]

Nice work you deserve a proper solo paddle thou...

[@outdoorinstruction]

Thank you. Can you enlighten me to what you say is a proper solo paddle please?