Paddle Your Own Canoe (Paperback)

by Gary McGuffin (Author), Joanie McGuffin (Author) "For us, canoeing is much more than a physical pursuit; it is a way of life..." (more)
Key Phrases: offside knee, bow paddler plants, righting pry, Lake Superior, Getting Centered, Rabbit Lake (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
Entirely practical, based on long experience, and aimed at anyone who simply wants to improve canoeing techniques. -- Linda Turk, Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal 06/29/2003

Helpful to both seasoned and novice canoers. -- Globe and Mail 07/05/2003

The most comprehensive book ever written on canoeing technique... essential guide for recreational paddlers is packed with information. -- Bushwacker's Wilderness Journal 09/2003

Review
The most comprehensive book ever written on canoeing technique... essential guide for recreational paddlers is packed with information. (Bushwacker's Wilderness Journal 200309)

Helpful to both seasoned and novice canoers. (Globe and Mail 20030629)

Entirely practical, based on long experience, and aimed at anyone who simply wants to improve canoeing techniques. (Linda Turk Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal 200806)

Like their canoe book, this is the best introduction to kayak touring that you can buy. (Stuart Fisher Canoeist )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Boston Mills Press (February 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550463772
• ISBN-13: 978-1550463774
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #143,984 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New book on the "Paddling" shelf, January 19, 2007

By	Daniel R. Fera "Battenkiller" (Adirondack area) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Having always considered "The Path of the Paddle" as the last word in canoeing books, I was too cheap to buy Gary and Joannie's book as I considered it to be superfluous at best. Having received it as a Christmas gift this year, I can humbly say I was wrong. There is no book that will get you safely on the water and having fun faster than this one. Every aspect of recreational paddling is covered, right down to outfitting your whitewater playboat. The photos are clear and the angles and sequences leave you nothing to want for, save time spent on the water (although the photos of Gary and Joannie look just a little bit too happy, eh?) The only thing I can say in the minus category is that I am not a personal fan of the leaned forward, aggressive style of modern paddling and that is obviously where they are coming from. It's good to know how to lean forward and plant your paddle while using your body to draw the boat hard to the placement. When I need to accelerate rapidly, that is the best way. But for me, canoeing is more about relaxing and getting there with style and grace, and for that purpose, nothing says it like old-fashioned Canadian freestyle (i.e. Bill Mason and Omer Stringer). That difference aside, I think this book is a stellar achievement and deserves a place alongside "The Path of the Paddle" on the bookshelf.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paddle Your Own Canoe, August 31, 2005

By	John F. Marshall - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have a whole shelf of books on canoeing. This one and Bill Mason's Path of the Paddle are the best. The pictures in Paddle Your Own Canoe way out-shine the pictures in the Bill Mason books. The McGuffins certainly know what they are talking about. This book delves into canoeing technique with more depth than any book except Mason's. It does take a long time to study and figure out what they are doing. Canoeing is hard to learn from a book, but if I had to recommend one book this would be it. Beautiful photography.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paddle Your Own Canoe, September 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Paddle Your Own Canoe (Hardcover)

This is a great book if you want to learn alot about the different paddle strokes used while in your canoe. It has great pictures and very good naratives. I highly recomend this book.