The J stroke is an elegant and efficient way to keep the canoe moving forward in a straight line. The stern paddler uses it frequently (nearly every stroke). For a solo paddler, a good effective J stroke is essential. A good J stroke opens up a whole new world of canoeing. But, it is the most difficult canoe stroke to learn.The path of the paddle traces a J in the water. This J in the water should get narrower as your J stroke improves (less prying action).
The J stroke is a continuation of the forward power stroke. As soon as the paddle shaft begins to go past vertical (about when it is beside the knees of the paddler), the paddle should be turned quickly so that the power side of the blade faces out away from the canoe.
That is, turn the thumb of the top hand down and forward. The quicker and sooner the top hand is turned down, the better the J stroke. The blade should tend to move under the canoe. Resisting this tendency may be enough of a correction.
The blade face should become parallel to the side of the canoe as quickly as possible. When the blade comes out of the water, its face should be parallel to the side of the canoe (perpendicular to the surface of the water).
