Skills

A good forward stroke is probably the most useful and often used stoke in canoeing but even with perfect technique and brute strength it can still leave you short of your goal.  Ever tried to paddle up a small set of rapids or swift current only to fail, have to get out, and portage your boat?  Wondering what  technique is more powerful than the forward stroke and keeps you from having to carry?  

"If you have discovered the power of canoe poling, you know that streams can be  two-way streets and a canoe can be pushed upstream far beyond what is possible with a paddle.  Rivers can be enjoyed in a simple up-and-back trip from the put-in, eliminating the need for a car shuttle.  Poking upstream in calm water is a great place to start, but as you progress, you may wish to confront stronger current.  This is where poling gets technical."

See all the Canoescapes pictures in the Summer/Fall 2011 issue of Canoeroots.  You can also check out almost 10 years of Canoeroots Magazine in our Digital Archives!