Sculling Draw for Canoe

The Sculling Draw for a canoe. How to do the stroke.
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Many thanks to my partner Lina Patel for her assistance and thoughts.
I am paddling the Prospector from www.venturekay...
Paddles by freebirdpaddle...
pfd by www.nrs.com
My website: www.RayGoodwin.com
My illustrated book 'Canoeing', is available direct from me or from Amazon.
In North America the easiest way to obtain my book is via Amazon

[@EzeAdventurer]

So detailed, and well edited Ray!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thanks my favourite Argentinian! Used one of your tricks for some of the closeups and used my tripod in the canoe with a clamp rather than use the tripod fittings. I am always out to pick up new tricks. PS what were the clamps you were using?

[@haydnthomasphotography8084]

Good clear info as always Mr Goodwin! Canoeing season is upon us!!🎉

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you so much. Yep canoeing and video season for me. Work is underway.

[@twostroke350]

I like these type of strokes because you can transition seamlessly back into forwards paddling by knifing the blade forwards. I feels more elegant. I find it very useful when paddling at night because you keep the paddle constantly in touch with the water and can feel which direction you are moving in.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Absolutely and I need to do a video on blending strokes. Oh the the list is long and the reward is small 😅

[@martinoutdoors6941]

A very handy stroke especially when looking to not bash the nose of the canoe into a rocky beach.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Indeed. I do love this stroke

[@theboycalledleaf]

I've watched more accomplished paddlers do this and wanted to learn. Thank you! It's a grainy photo, but the black and white image with the Ironbridge in the background was most likely Eustace Rogers. Eustace lived alongside the Severn in Ironbridge all his life as did those before him. As a child we'd press our cheeks against the window of his workshop to see the coracles and watch him when he went out. A local celebrity who always started the duck race and appeared on local TV magazine programs on a regular basis. Lovely memories, thank you.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Wow spot on! yes it was Eustace. I am always wary of using photos from the web because of copyright but tend to think a small copy shown briefly will, hopefully, be alright. Guidebooks, maps and paintings I get permission. But I thought that photo was so evocative I really wanted to use it. Anyway I am impressed and thank you for your kind comments.

[@Tim8o1]

A wonderfully narrated video, nice one Ray.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you Tim. Appreciated

[@KartsHuseonica]

Interesting 👍

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

But nowhere near as interesting as your forthcoming trip! 😁

[@grahamrowe6278]

Concise as ever Ray. So useful, and yes, the feel is the deal.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Thank you my fiend. Yep all down to the feel.

[@tonystacey3347]

That pole/camera rig really lends itself to the demos on the side of the boat 👍🏻

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Yep I was really pleased with that. Wasn't sure how well it would look/work so was very relieved when I got home and checked.

[@Cezve_340ml]

Usually, I use this stroke when approaching the shore line for landing. Allows for a very effective and precise control. Great explanation, sir!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

And it is a great stroke for doing that. Thank you.

[@philschaefer4651]

Excellent clear instruction as always. I found that mastering the sculling draw did wonders for my blade work in general, but especially for static draws and duffeck strokes and C-strokes.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Totally in agreement with you there Phil. Because it relies on feel it has a massive impact on the other strokes as you transfer that learning. Anyway not long to ice out for you? Almost paddling season.

[@philschaefer4651]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Hoping to be on the river in a couple weeks, but it was a late spring, so fingers crossed.

[@nigelgregory7308]

Great stuff once again Ray, as someone with a weakened shoulder it's great to see it can be worked cross deck, take care my friend and many thanks.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

You are most welcome. Keep well.

[@BuckMckawtheotherone]

I learned this to sneak up on bullfrogs, then we'd whack them with the the power side of the blade, and knock them out. They were tasty. It is also good to unsnag a line, holding the rod one-handed and sculling to the snag with the other arm. Ahh...paddling the canoe...it's a graceful ballet on calm flat waters. Thank you Ray. Good video.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

😂 That is like a story about one of my all times climbing heroes, Don Whillans. It details the lead up and then always finishes with the classic, 'and then I hit him.' Never had bullfrog myself but have indulged in frogs legs in France. Anyway thank you for you story and comment. 😁

[@kevinthewild1]

I really enjoy your videos. Cheers!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

thank you kind sir.

[@suetadman3530]

This was a crucial skill on the weekend before last when ten of us did some coracling with the Ironbridge Coracle Trust (OCA West Mid Group). I think we're all experts now!

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

We got a coracle man along to the Welsh Canoe Symposium some years ago. He was so bitterly disappointed when every single canoeists got straight in, started sculling and took off at speed in a straight line. Amused me greatly. Rather proud of the canoeists.

[@suetadman3530]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe 😂

[@tonystacey3347]

Had a thought about a micro improvement on the filming when using a lovely wooden paddle while the blade is submerged - how about some say 3mm strips of different coloured tape running down length of paddle level with edge and a different colour lined up with centre of blade. Cracking filming and coaching explanations once again Ray - keep them coming. Also - this is the whole thing - have you ever thought about leaving the whole thing out for the patreon supporters/ coffee buyers and everyone else just gets the start /preview.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

1 yep I have used markers on other stuff like gunwales in the forward paddling video but not thought of it on the paddle. It is something for me to tuck away in the brain. 2 Thank you and appreciated the kind comments. 3 I did think about Patreon but didn't want to commit to a guaranteed number of videos per month. I think I will just stick to buy me a coffee and hope a few folk dip in their pockets.

[@spoonerbooner]

This makes me want to get back into coaching.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Glad to have been of some inspiration.

[@musicbycandlelightmbc3225]

Different strokes for different folks haha. Such an old saying. Anyway. Mr. Goodwin, your videos are simply superb. They are clear, concise, articulately spoken, and with ample observable demonstrations to see in action. Anyone canoeing with you I would deem it to be an honor sir. I am usually nervous when it comes to thinking about or when seeing rapids or fast moving water. One reason is that I lack the knowledge to understand and to read movements and obstacles in the water which affects one's confidence. There is also the element of an impending or immanent danger if or when a decision has been incorrectly made. While we all learn from mistakes by necessity and attempt to minimize threats of danger, there are those unfortunate moments where you don't get a second chance. Water is beautiful, mystical, wondrous, but ultimately powerful and all of which must be understood and respected. Not only is such an element paddled but is consumed as well. A human melding. Thank you ever so kindly Ray for your thoughtful and instructive videos and lovely accent.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Wow that is so full of such kind comments. It takes a while to learn how to read the water in rapids. Have you seen kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5DMnIxoiNabgLs That should help on reading the river. But again thank you.

[@paulconnor4557]

We often use this stroke in tandem when coming in to the bank. People comment on how elegant it looks.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

It is one of those strokes that make the viewing public look twice and then again. Yep is nice to get those 'elegant' comments.

[@lorrainemcgrath5097]

Love your videos. Is there any chance you could do a video on using a bow when you are breaking in and out of the flow.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I have a video on eddyturns: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqLIYmx8lNZkma8 or were you looking for something more specific on bow strokes for eddyturns? It should be on my list of to dos.

[@lorrainemcgrath5097]

@Ray Goodwin Yes, more specific. Bow stroke for eddie turns would be great. 👍

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

@@lorrainemcgrath5097 Yep it is on the list but I am not sure when. but your comment has brought it back to mind.

[@NobleEndeavours123]

Thank-you for sharing your knowledge and video. I was quite amused by Lina's comment about your concentrating face. It makes me wonder if she will someday point out in another video the actual miserable face! :)

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

I will make a point of highlighting the miserable face when it occurs! Yep Lina nailed it. I shall chuckle away.

[@MyCanoeCountry]

Hopefully the ice pulls of the lakes soon. Life in North Western Ontario

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Wow it is easy to forget when we have paddling nearly all year round most years. Have fun when you get the canoe back on the water.

[@p.istaker8862]

So would you call the final variation a sculling pry ?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Sort of. But I am not using the gunwale so its not really a pry. So maybe a reverse sculling draw? But its not really important, a little bit useful and certainly gets you thinking about what you can do with a paddle. Anyway....... Many thanks for commenting. Cheers.

[@lmwstewart]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe in Canada here its called a sculling pry whether you use the gunwhales or not.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

@@lmwstewart I think some folk do the same here. But it is only a name. PS looking forward to being in Canada in July.

[@Alien2799]

Can they all be used when tandem paddling whether bow or stern? I guess some adjustments would be needed.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

They can. A sculling draw at one end and cross deck sculling draw at the other is particularly neat. You can mix it all up with a reverse scull if you really want to impress. It all about having fun and being a little inventive. Cheers

[@Alien2799]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Thank you Ray for getting back to me. I am actually a beginner in a tandem canoe (with my husband). I really like your channel as you teach so many strokes but being so many strokes it also confuses me and I am not sure where to start. Any advice on how to start and progress? Thank you in advance :) Also, are all the paddling strokes in your other videos OK for tandem?

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

@@Alien2799 Hi very good thought and question. I really should do a video for beginners to explain what to consider in terms of safety and which strokes to learn. Ah another one to add to the list. What thought was to add a page to my website with links to the videos to explain the context and order of learning. Problem is devoting time to a project that generates very little income (the whole KZbin channel). So I am planning to get around to it but it might not be for some time. Meanwhile my book does give a more logical approach to it all. Combine the book and channel and I think it answers most. But as I said at the start very valid observations. Many thanks. ray

[@Alien2799]

@@RayGoodwinCanoe Thank you, Ray. I do not want to impose on you but the webpage for beginners sounds great. The good news is that we have winter approaching so beginners will not need your instructions till some time later in spring. So there will be quite a few months. This is when I am going to check your page :) In the meantime, I will look into your book. There is no eBook version, is there?

[@welshpaddler]

I always found the sculling pry the hardest.

[@RayGoodwinCanoe]

Play harder 🤣