The Language of Canoeing

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The Expedition Canoe Strokes & Other Terms

a. Bow Adjust Trim ("It is a good idea to adjust the trim in windy conditions.")
b. Stern Back-Paddle ("Back paddling is the best way to slow down")
c. Beak Break In or Out ("Break out into that eddy behind the tree")
d. Painter (Bowline) Capsize ("Incorrect draw strokes can lead to a capsize")
e. Painter (Sternline) Cast Off Forward or Aft ("Cast off aft, let's get going!")
f. Deck & Rocker Draw ("The front man can use a draw stroke when avoiding an obstacle")
g. Hull Edge ("Edging makes turning more efficient and capsizing less likely")
h. Thwart Egress Point ("The egress point is marked on the map")
i. Gunwale Ferryglide ("Ferryglide across to that eddy on the other side and wait for us")
j. Tumblehome Goon Stroke ("Goon strokes are rarely a better option than J-strokes")
k. Yoke Bow Cut ("I tend to use a bow cut when breaking out in fast water")
l. Thwart Bag (Dry Bag) J-Stroke ("The J-stroke is the most efficient forward stroke when soloing")
m. Buoyancy Aid Line ("It was so windy I had to line my boat down to the egress point")
n. Helmet Pole ("Poling is an efficient means of travelling upstream in shallow water")
o. Bilge Portage ("Those rapids are too dangerous: we'll have to portage this section")
p. Bang plate Pry ("Pry strokes are often useful; when trying to avoid a hazard")
Reverse Ferryglide ("Reverse ferryglide before paddling upstream")
The Paddle: Sculling Draw ("With a sculling draw the paddle stays in the water")
Solo ("Soloing is a good way to strengthen one's J-stroke")
q. Blade River Features Support ("Support strokes are used to prevent a capsize")
r. Shaft Swimmer ("We did well on those rapids: there were only two swimmers!")
s. Grip Boiler Tandem ("I think I’d better tandem today, as I've injured my shoulder")
Crib (Crow) Throw Bag ("Remember to stuff the rope into the throw bag – never coil it")
Eddy Track ("It is best to use both painters when tracking a canoe")
Flatwater Shoot a rapids ("It is very unwise to shoot a grade 4 rapid without inspecting it first")
Flow Sweep or Half Sweep ("Sweep strokes are good for rotating the canoe")
Hole
Riffle More Advanced Strokes & Techniques
Shelf C-Stroke Indian Stroke
Stopper Reverse J-Stroke Pitch Stroke
Straight Cross-bow Draw or Sweep Gunwale Bob
Strainer
Vee JASON CLAPHAM ∙ ST EDWARD’S OXFORD ∙ 2 SEPT. 2009