Evening star., 1936-07-19
Red Cross Experts Give
Tips on Sports Technique
Light Craft Can Be Handled Without Danger
and With Greater Pleasure, But
Only if Rules Are Followed.

up water, water 10 lIlIUW away lluli
the canoe The wrist of the hand
on top of the paddle turns so that the
thumb is away from the face at the
end of the stroke. The lower hand
pulls back and diagonally out.
The bow paddler has strokes to
help in turning or guiding. The
"push-over" and draw" are used. as
the names imply. to push or pull
canoe broadside to or away from an
object, thus turning the canoe to
right or to left-the paddle is brought
directly toward the side of the canoe
or pushed directly away from the side
| of it.
When approaching rock or a log
and reeding to turn the bow sharply,
| the bow paddler uses the "crosS-bow"
rudder by changing the paddle from
port to starboard, or vice versa, with
out shifting the position of the hands
on the paddle, and pulling the blade
diagonally toward the side of the
| canoe.
Both the bow and stern paddler may
use the sweep" but it is most fire.
quently employed by the stern pad
dler BY using the paddle as you
would an oar in rowing. you turn
the canoe sharply away from the side
the sweep" is used on.
Back water" pushes the canoe back
or may be used by a crew to stop the
| forward impetus of the canoe.
THE figure eight" is sculling
movement that is really nothing
more than an advanced push or draw.
It's a ood stroke for beginner to tip
over with. when first learning it!
Silent" padding is the advanced
paddler's method Of approaching an
object without splash. Certainly IFS
lazy, restful means of idling along.
The paddle is not brought out of the
water and feathered, but is cut back
through the water, the blade parallel
to the side of the canoe.
When you've thoroughly mastered
these strokes your fun can be enor-
mously increased by learning to do
stunts: Jogging, which is done by
standing on the gunwales at the stern,
bending and stretching the knees,
swinging arms forward and back.
thereby causing the bow of the canoe
to rise and fall, and thus progress
through the water; fitting, too we'll
known to need description; man over
board races, jumping in and out of
the canoe; tandem racing, two canoes
hold tnupthnr O tho hnuy dd1n1
by two stern canoeists: padding with
hands, padding while standing, and
others.
No sportsman who hasn't tried to
do these stunts and learned all these
strokes can experience the exhilaration
of being master of a canoe. 1t is like
the feeling of an expert rider on a
spirited horse. You are thoroughly In
charge here-a touch here, a gentle
pull of the paddle there and the canoe
is at your command. You feel the joy
Of guiding straight for your destina-
ton, making perfect landing, silently
gliding through a calm, flowing sterarn
or skillfully handling your craft
against heavy sea.
Speaking of wind and waves-al-
ways paddle, if riding alone, on the
side opposite the approaching wind;
against the waves, never with them.
HOW about fitting out your canoe
with sails? That is real sport.
If you ever happened to be at place
where there we're war canoes on hand,
did you have occasion to time race
of one of these swiftly speeding boats
manned by IL husky paddlerS? The
average motor boat would have a
hard time keeping up with the racing
canoeists.
Certainly, if you're a red-blooded
sportsman, you will thrill to the JOY
and fun of canoe. II you live near
lake or river, then by all means learn
saver, save your pennies and buy or
make a canoe. You'll have the time
of your life But don't take sink
easy" friend with you.
Now for some common-sense safety
hints for novice canoeists as well as
paddlers of average ability: In the
first place, if your craft overturns, no
matter how far from shore you happen
to be, never leave the canoe. It's your
life buoy, and, as mentioned earlier,
cannot sink, however full of water.
Why are there so many canoeing
tragedies? For one main reason, the
Red Cross specialists flnd A nom
,y,tA
the craft overturns, and, just out Of
reach of both canoe and paddle, he
browns. The moral here is obvious
enough. Unless you can swim, stay
out of canoes.
Here's friendly tip to utilize while
aiding a passenger to enter q canoe
from the beach. Steady the craft for
him or her by holding the stem be-
tween your knees.
What's the safest padding posi-.
ton? If you're riding the waves alone,
assume position amidship. resting
firmly but comfortably on one knee.
Simplest way In the world to avoid
ducking while launching from
beach is to step into the canoe without
trying to shove of. Next you should
walk slowly forward. holding fast to
'gunwales, and as your weight is trans
ferred, the stem of the canoe will lift
and ride free. Yes, it's as easy as all
this.
Can you, with perfect safety, shift
your position in a canoe? Yes, granted
that the waves are not too rough. But
be sure to keep your weight low, and