J Stroke Paddle Canoe Technique

Watch the placement of the paddle and the body movements carefully.
Notice I said body and not arm ? There is a reason why.

The Basics of the Forward Stroke

The first thing to know about efficient canoe paddling is that the most powerful muscles in the upper body are in the back and shoulders.

The muscles of the arm such as the biceps and triceps are best used in a supporting role, not as the major movers.

The arm muscles will tire long before the big muscles of the back.