How to Switch places in a Canoe

Here is a really great move to learn if you are going to start canoeing any amount. 

For whatever reason whether it be, the person that is sitting in the back of the canoe wants to sit in the front for awhile or vise versa, it is good to know how to do this move properly or you will end up upside down in the water if you make the wrong move.

There really isn't any reason to have to do this move, but you never know when it may come in handy.  

The only reason that I have switched places in my canoe before is because I wanted to trade seats so I could sit and steer in the back and they could steer in the front.  We were already out in the middle of the river and this was easier than paddling all the way into shore. 

Make sure that you have your life jackets on and no playing games, this is a tricky move. 

1. The person in the front of the canoe must look ahead to make sure that there are no rocks ahead that the canoe may run into, or if there are any obstructions in the way what so ever, if your canoe bumps into larger rock while you are doing this your canoe will more than likely tip over.
2. The person in the front moves first.
3. Before moving, place your paddle on the floor of the canoe.
4. The person in the back stays seated, still guiding the canoe with their paddle.
5. The person in the front will now hold on to both sides of the canoe with their hands. Do not let go of the sides.  The right hand on the right side, and left hand on the left side of the canoe. 
6. Then the person in the front will start to stand up a little, but stay in a crouched position, keeping low and not letting go of the sides of the canoe.
7. Both people in the canoe must now keep balanced. Do not stiffen up, I want you to be loosened up.
8. The person in front now will now lift up one foot (which ever foot they want) and step backwards over the seat, still balancing and still holding onto the sides of the canoe and keeping low at all times.  Do not stand straight up, the lower you can be the better and the less tipsy the canoe will be.
9. The person in the front will now lift up their other foot and step backwards over the seat.  He/she should now be standing behind their seat, hanging onto the sides of the canoe and down as low as they can get.
10. The person that is doing the moving now gets onto their knees, slowly and works their way down, either to lying down on their stomach on the bottom of  the canoe or crouched down as far as they can get in a tucked position.  Once they have gotten to this position, don't move.  It's the drivers turn to move now.
11. The person seated in the back of the canoe should take another look to make sure everything is clear ahead, no rocks or obstacles to hit.
12. Then person in the back will now put their paddle on the floor of the canoe.
13. Do the same as the first person did, hold onto both sides of the canoe, right hand on the right side, left hand on the left side.
14. Stand up slowly, keeping low and walk very carefully up to the front of the canoe, stepping over the person on the floor of the boat. 
15. Don't forget to keep balanced and relaxed.  After this person reaches the front of the canoe just behind the seat, with one foot step over and ahead of the seat, then do the same with the other foot.  Keep hanging onto the sides of the canoe and sit down slowly, then get the paddle off the floor of the canoe and guide the canoe while the person gets up and moves again.
16. The person that is on the bottom of the canoe floor now gets up, but still staying low, hanging on to both sides of the canoe, walking backwards slowly and then sits down in their seat. Grab the paddle and start paddling. That's it.  

You always have to remember, when trading places or even trying to reach something in a canoe to keep low.  The lower the better, the less tipsy the canoe will be.  Remember that you are in water, and the canoe will be wobbly and it will move back and forth while you are moving around.  Don't panic, just keep relaxed, don't stiffen up and be careful.   

It actually sounds harder than it is.  Try it for fun if you are out in a canoe someday.  It is actually fun and funny at the same time. 

If you upset well your going to be going for a swim and this is where I leave off until my next lesson on ‘How to get back into a capsized canoe'

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