Canoe Terms

The Language of Canoeing

p

d f

o

h

i

c r

q

S

j l

a a a

m g

k =

The Expedition Canoe a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. j. k. l. m. n. o. p.

Bow Stern Beak Painter (Bowline) Painter (Sternline) Deck & Rocker Hull Thwart Gunwale Tumblehome Yoke Thwart Bag (Dry Bag) Buoyancy Aid Helmet Bilge Bang plate

The Paddle: q. Blade r. Shaft s. Grip

River Features Boiler Crib (Crow) Eddy Flatwater Flow Hole Riffle Shelf Stopper Straight Strainer Vee

n

b e

a

Strokes & Other Terms Adjust Trim ("It is a good idea to adjust the trim in windy conditions.") Back-Paddle ("Back paddling is the best way to slow down") Break In or Out ("Break out into that eddy behind the tree") Capsize ("Incorrect draw strokes can lead to a capsize") Cast Off Forward or Aft ("Cast off aft, let's get going!") Draw ("The front man can use a draw stroke when avoiding an obstacle") Edge ("Edging makes turning more efficient and capsizing less likely") Egress Point ("The egress point is marked on the map") Ferryglide ("Ferryglide across to that eddy on the other side and wait for us") Goon Stroke ("Goon strokes are rarely a better option than J-strokes") Bow Cut ("I tend to use a bow cut when breaking out in fast water") J-Stroke ("The J-stroke is the most efficient forward stroke when soloing") Line ("It was so windy I had to line my boat down to the egress point") Pole ("Poling is an efficient means of travelling upstream in shallow water") Portage ("Those rapids are too dangerous: we'll have to portage this section") Pry ("Pry strokes are often useful; when trying to avoid a hazard") Reverse Ferryglide ("Reverse ferryglide before paddling upstream") Sculling Draw ("With a sculling draw the paddle stays in the water") Solo ("Soloing is a good way to strengthen one's J-stroke") Support ("Support strokes are used to prevent a capsize") Swimmer ("We did well on those rapids: there were only two swimmers!") Tandem ("I think I’d better tandem today, as I've injured my shoulder") Throw Bag ("Remember to stuff the rope into the throw bag – never coil it") Track ("It is best to use both painters when tracking a canoe") Shoot a rapids ("It is very unwise to shoot a grade 4 rapid without inspecting it first") Sweep or Half Sweep ("Sweep strokes are good for rotating the canoe") More Advanced Strokes & Techniques C-Stroke Reverse J-Stroke Cross-bow Draw or Sweep

Indian Stroke Pitch Stroke Gunwale Bob

JASON CLAPHAM ∙ ST EDWARD’S OXFORD ∙ 2 SEPT. 2009