Canoe paddling has been around for centuries, or perhaps millennia. Since the mid-eighteen hundreds, the classic style of using straight-shaft paddles with multiple varied strokes was the foundation of canoe instruction. However, some four to five decades ago, marathon racers developed and perfected an efficient paddling style using paddles built with an angle between shaft and blade, "Basic illustrated Canoe Paddling" will teach you how to choose a paddle and outfit a canoe, launch a canoe safely, perform the basic forward, turning and correction strokes, maneuver the canoe, paddle in wind, waves and moving water. In simple terms, learning to paddle well gives you the skills to enjoy canoeing more.