How to do the J-stroke
If you get into a canoe this summer, you’ll need to know how to keep it going straight. Time to master your J-stroke.
Use the thumb technique, says Adrian Camara, a certified canoe instructor with Paddle Canada. Some paddlers prefer their dominant hand on the shaft (the graphic shows the right hand); go with whatever is most comfortable. “Your right hand is on the grip. Your left hand is comfortably mid-shaft,” he says.
“On your right hand, stick your thumb out. Your thumb should be sticking totally perpendicular away from the canoe when you start your forward stroke.
And then, once your left hand hits about your hip, you want to take your grip hand and turn the paddle so that your thumb is now pointing toward the water [rotating your wrist as you do it].
That motion will make your paddle go from pulling water back to slicing through the water. Then you want to pull that down, flick it out, and hold it. Pull it out of the water and do it again.” Enjoy the ride.