PADDLER 40
Information and booking: www. raygoodwin. com / open-canoe-symposium
PADDLER 40
https
:// freestylecanoeing. com / solo-sideslips
Proper use of heeling( https:// freestylecanoeing. com / a-pitch-for-heeling-part-1) increases the efficiency of all turns. I’ m not referring to anything extreme, just a mild heel; enough to raise the stems a bit so they don’ t have to plough so much water aside as the bow swings into the turn and the stern swings away from it. It requires minimal effort from you, the paddler, to shift a bit more weight onto one knee while slightly unweighting the other. Heeling toward the outside of the turn( carving) is slightly more efficient than heeling into the turn, but the difference is minimal. Either is quite effective.
The key is to give your canoe gentle / subtle cues through the efficient use and placement of the paddle. The sight or sound of significant turbulence near the stems of the hull or around the paddle is a sign of wasted energy and loss of momentum.
I’ ve included several links in this article. They will take you to more detailed explanations of the various manoeuvres. There are many more articles about these and other efficient manoeuvres at https:// freestylecanoeing. com / blog.
SYMPOSIWM CAN AGORED CYMRU THE WELSH OPEN CANOE SYMPOSIUM 24-26 October / 24-26 Hydref 2025
The Symposium has become the premier event for open canoeists across the UK. Organised & run on a voluntary basis, the event now rotates between Wales, England & Scotland in a three-year cycle. Its aim has always been to bring together people of all levels of experience and ability in a sharing of enthusiasm for & knowledge of all aspects of open canoeing.
It is based at Gwersyll Glanllyn on the shore of Llyn Tegid just four miles west of Bala.
Information and booking: www. raygoodwin. com / open-canoe-symposium