PAUL KLONOWSKI
Solo Sideslips
To the casual observer , a Sideslip is simply magic . A couple of years ago , Lynn Dominguez conducted a FreeStyle demonstration in the pool at Canoecopia ( a huge winter paddlesports trade show in Madison , Wisconsin ), showing the basics of performing several manoeuvres , for which there was some applause every time . When she did a Sideslip , many oohs and aahs rumbled through the crowd . How can you make a canoe go forward and sideways simultaneously ?
It ’ s not magic … it ’ s physics ! Sideslipping can be a useful skill in daily paddling when , for instance , one wishes to manoeuvre around obstructions in a river , such as rocks , without turning broadside to the current . It ’ s also handy for approaching a dock or making slight adjustments to how far the canoe is from the dock as it slides into the landing position . And for the more sporting paddlers , it ’ s fun to play ‘ chicken ’, where two canoes move directly toward each other until one veers away . Then the other canoe has to move such that the two canoes will not collide – a real crowd-pleaser !
First of all , the boat has to have momentum . Note that Sideslips work in both forward and reverse directions , but this article will only address Forward , Onside Sideslips , on flat , not moving water , as a primer . Also , note the canoe needs to be going STRAIGHT ! As in , not turning :
Normal direction of travel
The turn will continue if the canoe is turning or yawing , even just a little when the Sideslip is initiated . A properly executed Sideslip does NOT turn the canoe … it moves the canoe diagonally , as shown here :
Sideslip direction of travel
The diagonal travel is created by placing the paddle in the right location ; at the correct angle , the canoe already has forward momentum , but the correct paddle placement adds sideways momentum while the canoe is still moving forward . Let ’ s take a close look at how this is done .
One crucial building block for Sideslips is understanding how to place the paddle in the water in a ‘ neutral ’ position . This is done by slicing the paddle into the water parallel to the keel line . Also , note the paddler ’ s torso is rotated a bit , so the paddler is facing somewhat toward the paddle :
Neutral paddle position
If the canoe is moving forward , and the paddle is truly Neutral , the paddle slices through the water cleanly , not being pulled toward or away from the canoe .
This neutral orientation can be accomplished from the end of a J stroke , once the canoe is moving straight forward , by slicing the paddle through the water , completely neutrally , to the placement location . This takes a bit of practice but is the key to Sideslips . Suppose the slice to the neutral orientation causes the canoe to turn or lose momentum . In that case , the paddle may be taken out of the water at the end of the J stroke , moved into position , and then re-inserted into the water in the neutral position .
From this neutral position , it ’ s time to learn where the paddle should be placed and how the blade is turned to get the Sideslip moving . For a Drawing Sideslip , in which the canoe is drawn toward the paddle side , the paddle must be placed near or a bit behind the paddler and then turned outward just a little bit , so the leading edge of the blade is slightly further away from the hull than the trailing edge :