I posted this information in response to a question about what is the purpose of Bruce Smith's secondary "running pry grip" in my thread about the quest for a custom made ottertail paddle, but thought it would be appropriate to repeat it in this forum as a general paddling technique.
One of most effective and abrupt ways to turn a canoe to the off side is to use what's variously called a bow pry, bow jam or bow wedge. To do it, you jam the paddle against the gunwale or hull up near the bow with a slight inward pitch on the blade. You can do this with two hands on the paddle or, if really skilled, with one hand. Bruce Smith's secondary grip facilitates one-handed running and static pries.
Videos are easier to illustrate the techniques.
Here is Becky Mason demonstrating the two-handed bow pry:
Here she is demonstrating the one-handed running and static pries, holding onto the paddle's secondary grip:
One of most effective and abrupt ways to turn a canoe to the off side is to use what's variously called a bow pry, bow jam or bow wedge. To do it, you jam the paddle against the gunwale or hull up near the bow with a slight inward pitch on the blade. You can do this with two hands on the paddle or, if really skilled, with one hand. Bruce Smith's secondary grip facilitates one-handed running and static pries.
Videos are easier to illustrate the techniques.
Here is Becky Mason demonstrating the two-handed bow pry:
Here she is demonstrating the one-handed running and static pries, holding onto the paddle's secondary grip: