Byron Bradley: My name is Byron Bradley. I am an American Canoe Association Canoe Instructor. We are talking about solo canoeing. I am going to talk about entering or how to safely enter and exit a canoe. Canoes are generally unstable craft. If you are hanging out to the sides, if you are sitting flat in the water, they are very stable like I am sitting right here but the minute I start to lean out, they are able to turn over.
So, when we enter and exit the canoe we want to keep this in mind. Anytime we are getting in and out of the canoe, we want to make sure we put our hands on the gunwales and keep our weight on the hands. That way we can control the balance of the canoe. We will step right in the center of the canoe and from there that allows to step out onto the shore. Nice and safely without tipping the boat over. That's how we would exit from canoe.
If I want to enter the canoe, of course, always I want to keep my hands free that allows me to use them on the canoe and hold them steady. First i will place my foot in right in the center of the boat. Nice and steady, hands were on the gunwales. Then I will take my other foot, place it in the center of the boat and I will keep my weight low keeping my center of gravity right under me allowing me to keep myself comfortable. Once you are in the canoe, you always take your time to think slowly and that way you won't be rushed and force yourself to make any mistakes that will possibly cause you to fall over. The next thing we will talk about is the forward stroke, which will allow us to move our canoes where we want to take them.
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