For situations like that, learn the bow pry and the stern sweep and do it real hard and fast. Start just after cresting one wave. If done properly the canoe will practically pivot in the middle. Or, if the wave frequency is too close, turn around in the canoe (even if it means kneeling on the bottom) so that the person in the bow becomes the stern paddler. Also remember the best angle of attack on waves is not straight at them but at an angle(25 to 30 degrees). And waves from behind are worse than waves from ahead.

Posted by Paul H. on April 02, 2000 at 20:56