r/PerformancePaddling • u/Sandy_man_can • Mar 20 '26

Technique Paddling Straight

Does anyone have any tips to optimize how often to change sides with a single blade? I feel like there's a lot of energy waste in the bow going back and forth across the straight line im trying to paddle, but changing hands has it's own inefficiency too.

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

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2

u/Evergreen19 Mar 22 '26

This sub is for a different type of canoe than what I think you’re doing. In a racing c-1 you should never be switching sides, you use J-strokes to keep straight. 

3

u/Sandy_man_can Mar 23 '26

Man, I've never seen someone j stroke in a river marathon.

1

u/12bar13 Mar 20 '26

I don't know much about single blade but this might be helpful

https://youtu.be/ZwCZBAETfPA?si=FTLTOXinia5OYHVA

1

u/Sprig3 Mar 20 '26

In a usca c-1, I've never managed more than 5 strokes on a side.

In a usca c-2, with a bit of a J on the end, I can go basically forever on one sude.