This clip is in response to a question about initiating and maintaining a pivot at the start of another clip:    • Style Play - in my WildFire.  

Two considerations:
1. Make sure draw/push is directly out from centre-line of the canoe in front and behind the paddle position. Very common problem is the draw or pry is in line with the funnel rather than the centre line, or toward/away from paddler (angled).
2. Good heel (tip) to lock pivot point and free stems is quite important.

This video only shows onside pivots (bow moving toward paddler side) as an example but the recommendations apply either way. There are two sections to the video 1. Out-of-water recovery to clearly show the draw/push is perpendicular to the canoe's centre line (out-of-water is not usually done), 2. Using the common 'box' stroke where there is a slice between the draw and the push. In this clip the top of the blade is out of the water to show the pitch and direction - usually, the whole blade is submerged. There are several other strokes and variations that can be used to pivot the canoe (see examples below) but starting with the box is the most common.

Common problems:
1. Draw/push is not from/to the centre line of the canoe.
2. Draw/push is beside or to the paddler rather than in front/behind.
3. Draw/push combinations are not equal front/back - either in force or distance.
4. A poor heel makes the pivot harder to control and the canoe is more likely to slip forward or back.
5. when using the box stroke the paddle should slice between the draw/push without any pitch. Try sanding in knee-deep water or using a dock to get a feeling of slicing the paddle without any pitch.

Suggestions:
1. Start slow, small strokes.
2. Work on getting a pivot working in open water (no dock/buoy), just get a feeling and don't worry about parameters or corridor.
3. After working on getting a pivot working use four buoys about 1.5 canoe lengths apart, in a cross. Use these to help centre the canoe. You should note that (thoughts on pivot point    • pivot thoughts   ). Once you get a controlled pivot working move to open water again.
4. Use 'remote' points at each of the cardinal directions to mark the pivot line (e.g. don't watch your paddle or the bottom of the canoe)
5. Move as close to mid-ship as possible, this will help bring the different pivot points closer together.
5. Face (or at least point knees to the chine) to the paddling side, and ensure a good body rotation for stroke behind the paddle position.

Additional Examples:

Inside and outside pivot - example:
   • solo instructor - inside and outside ...  

Example of paddle placement for pivots:
   • Pivot - a canoe clinic  

Overhead pivot:
   • pivot (overhead)  

Other YouTube Providers to check - both have several examples of strokes from under the canoe (underwater looking up).
Rolf Kraiker (   / @rolfkraiker  )
Becky Mason (   / @beckymason  )