Paddling basics
Canoe and kayak posture, strokes, and capsize mindset.
Skill 3.23 · About 25 minutes to begin
Paddling builds teamwork on flat water before any moving water trips.
Before you begin
Bring along
- Instructor-approved life jacket
- Trip equipment list
Support & boundaries
Use a qualified instructor or guide and the program's approved supervision plan. This lesson is preparation, not permission or certification for an activity.
01 / Learn
Understand the skill
- Wear PFD at all times on the water — buckled.
- Grip paddle with relaxed hands; torso rotation adds power.
- Bow sets rhythm in tandem boats; stern steers — communicate.
- Capsize plans are practiced in calm water with adults.
- Weather and motorboat traffic matter on Lake Lanier — stay visible.
02 / Practice
Try it, step by step
- 1
Adjust foot braces and seat before launching.
- 2
Practice forward, reverse, and sweep strokes near shore.
- 3
Tuck spare paddle and whistle on boat.
- 4
Land into wind when possible.
- 5
Help unload boats without dragging plastic hulls on pavement.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Tighten it once you are far from shore.
- Treating a successful practice attempt as permission to skip the supervision or checks for a real task.
Your call
Your life jacket feels loose before launch. What next?
03 / Demonstrate
Show what you can do
Use these prompts with a mentor. This practice checklist resets when you leave; record your overall stage below in the signed-in manual.
0 of 3 reviewed together
Mentor notes & sources
Help someone learn
- Assign bow/stern pairs by skill and weight balance.
- Wet exits and rescue drills require a qualified instructor in a controlled session with appropriate safety support.
- Brief right-of-way rules for powered boats in plain language.
Start together, then let the learner take responsibility at an appropriate level. Offer a shorter task, a different role, or more practice time when useful. Review the demonstration criteria together; advanced practice never removes supervision requirements.
Reference shelf
Original program lessons informed by these references. Equipment manuals, current local rules, and qualified instruction govern technical practice.
- US Coast Guard: wearing your life jacket ↗
Life-jacket use and fit
Edition updated 2026-09-28. Program learning material; not a professional qualification.
04 / Apply · In Action
Ready on shore
With a qualified instructor, fit a life jacket and rehearse boat roles and paddle handling on shore before an approved session.
What success looks like
Demonstrate the equipment checks and follow instructor commands on calm water if cleared.
Talk it through
What would stop the launch?
05 / Teach · Take it further
Help a partner prepare equipment under instructor supervision.