New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-30
CANOEING FOR WOMEN
Pastime Now Decidedly Popular
and Not Necessarily Unsafe.

II he's been only during the last rev
wears that women have taken, mp the sport
Of canoeing and this summer the pastime
is decidedly popular. Wherever water
flows and men live the canvas covered
canoe is known. but women have only re-
Gently realized that they. too, are able
20 handle the small craft. Indeed. some
OF the most expert canoeists are women.
The canoe when handled properly Is not
dangerous, and few women who have ever
mad the pleasure OF a canoeing trip Will
disparage the sport.
Physicians recommend canoeing az one
of the best exercises for women Weld
ing the paddles gives strength 10 the back
muscles. develops the arms and affords all
other advantages Of an open-air pastime.
, Indian women were expert canoeists, and
they were always graceful, 1.-THE and
strong
The beginner should be careful when
getting I'm or out or a canoe, for care
lessness at such time has been the
ca1ise Of many accidents Before entering
a canoe decide which way YOU want 10
face That done stand next TO the canoe
and step directly over the center or keel
with the outside foot. With the one foot
placed. stoop and catch the gunwales, or
sides. of the boat with the hands 10
steady ones self while bringing the other
foot I'm. With both hands on the gum
wales the paddler can easily balance and
control the canoe while sitting down. In
this position the center OF gravity is very
low, When the paddler stands mp. how
over the conditions are directly reversed,
and there is where the danger in getting
out ami entering Cccms. Once having en-
tered the canoe. the novice should not
change her position. II is possible 10
move. but IT requires more skin than the
average beginner possesses.
When learning TO paddle, 90 with some
one who knows Row and watch aim. The
bow stroke is the easiest 20 learn. The
stern stroke. however. may be acquired
FIRST. but is far more difficult for a be-
elmer II takes practice before one can
properlv Dropel a canoe from the stern.
No form Of exercise develops the arms.
wrists. back and shoulders so completely
as padding. Several positions can be as
summed FOR padding but the best is OBJ
tanned when the paddler sits on either
esat mr. athwart. Kneeling soon grows
tiresome for a woman, though some men
EXPERTS DO all their padding on their
knees
There are several things 70 learn about
the paddle There are special paddles
made Tor women which are lighter than
those used By men. vet strong and Just
az s.ryiceable Grip the paddle with the
right hand Just above the blade. and put
the left hand over the knob az the top or
the handle Place tho paddle well for
ward. about three inches from the canoe
inst ont Of the vpter and in a vertical
position. Keeping the right arm straight
The left arm should also be straight
Then dip the blade into the water until it is
submerged and pull back with the right or
! bottom maud. q the same time slide the
| left hand across the body 10 the right
side
When the right hand goes past the hip,
gradually raise H.. dropping the left
/ hand until almost in the lap. This brings
the handle Just above the lap. and the sec
ond stroke is begun. While learning TO
paddle do not allow the bottom hand 70
= slide up the handle. This is a common
/ fault Of women beginners in the art OF
canoeing and r. should be checked at the
very outset. Habits when once formed
\ are hard 20 break.
When the bow stroke il mastered 10 is
a good plan for the woman canoeist 10 at
/ tempt the stern stroke. When stroke
| ifs made in the rear. the bow swings 70
| the opposite side II padding is pro-
/ longed without some cOunteracting force
being brought into play the canoe Will
/ continue to turn. This counter force IS
+ found. however. in simple twist Of the
) paddle. which acts. I'm its effect exactly
as rudder As the stroke is finished the
blade is traIed in the water and at the same
/ time the edge nearest the canoe turned
up. This simple movement Of the paddle
/ swings the bow of the canoe around
/ straight