Some Suggestions and Answers to Most-Asked Questions:

Clothing: Many people like to canoe in a bathing suit; this is fine for a while, but be sure to take along more protective clothing -- a hat, a longsleeved shirt, pants , socks and gloves.

Carry a spare set of clothing in case of an accident or a sudden drop in temperature. Blue jeans and sweat shirts are the worst possible choice; they hold water, are chilly when wet, and take forever to dry.

Wading shoes should be worn. Sneakers are usually sufficient.

A rainsuit is the best protection against the weather. Ponchos dangerously hamper your swimming ability and always get in the way of paddling.

• What to Bring: Tennis shoes or river shoes for river-NO BARE FEET-plus other shoes for ride home. Dress in layers for warmth; swim suit, light jacket, sun glasses, floatable strap to hold glasses/sun glasses to head, hat, suntan lotion, bug repellent, small patrol cooler, drinks and snacks, heavy twine and trash bags to keep things dry in canoe; a towel and change of clothes to be left in car.
• The trip goes RAIN or SHINE. Since weather conditions may be different in Sterling than Luray, we will decide if trip is a go once there. Safety is first.
• Do Not bring valuables on trip (jewelry, rings, money, etc.) Lock in car or better yet, leave at home.
• Do not take anything on the river that you would hate to lose.

• BSA Safety Afloat PDF
• BSA Safe Swim Defense PDF
• BSA Swim Test PDF, MSWord, HTML

Click here to learn more about The Country Place camp location and the Shenandoah River Outfitters.

Some of the basic strokes in paddling are the forward stroke, the J-Stroke, and various forms of cross strokes, including cross forward, cross draw and cross back.

Forward Stroke

The paddle enters the water comfortably ahead of the paddler' s position. With the blade perpendicular to the keel line and the paddle vertical, pull straight along the side of the canoe. Keep both arms relatively straight throughout all phases of the stroke. Push forward and down over the blade with the top arm and pull with the lower arm. Body and shoulder rotation provides much of the power.

This stroke provides forward momentum at the same time that it keeps the canoe on a straight course. Start off with a forward stroke, but then push the top hand farther out over the water than the lower hand. This motion moves the blade under the boat and carves the -by levering the paddle off the boat. The last push away from the boat should be a quick one.

Cross Forward

Executed parallel to the canoe' s centerline. Both hands remain over the water, keeping the paddle shaft vertical to the water. The stroke is short and performed in front of the body. The paddle is planted as far forward as a person can lean comfortably. Move the upper body forcefully to an upright position and stop the stroke at your knees. An underwater recovery helps to establish a quick back-and-forth rhythm.

Cross Back

More often used by solo paddlers, this stroke requires good upper-body flexibility. The paddler crosses over the boat with the paddle and inserts the blade opposite the hips. The body must be rotated until the shoulders are almost parallel to the boat' s centerline. This stroke is a powerful way to stop a boat quickly to scout a rapid, and is usually used with a back stroke to maintain position in the river.

Links to other online resources

• American Canoe Association
• USGS realtime water flows
• Paddler Magizine Online
• Paddling.net Canoe & Kayaking Guidelines
• Canoe & Kayak Magazine
• REI - How to carry a canoe