Words: Marc Ornstein

Photos: Marc Ornstein

Marc Ornstein

So, you want to buy a FreeStyle canoe – or do you?

I’ve often heard from folks who ask, “I want to buy a FreeStyle canoe. What’s the best boat?” After determining (the paddler’s) size, I could suggest several specific boats, but the question needs to be examined more closely to answer appropriately.

Is the questioner interested primarily in interpretive FreeStyle, i.e., paddling routines choreographed to music? Is he/she interested in functional FreeStyle, i.e., using the FreeStyle technique to traverse meandering streams? Perhaps it’s intended to be more of a touring/tripping canoe with ‘FreeStyle’ tendencies. What skillsets does the questioner have or be willing to work toward? Perhaps budget is an issue. Recommending an expensive craft to an aspiring paddler with limited resources may not be helpful.

FreeStyle is a canoeing discipline emphasising the interaction between the boat, body, and the blade. It consists of various manoeuvres and combinations of manoeuvres, which, when combined with a heel (leaning the canoe laterally) and pitch (weighing the leading stem down), greatly enhance the manoeuvrability of most any hull. Interpretive FreeStyle is the most extreme form of the discipline, where 180-degree (or greater) turns are the norm. Generally, an interpretive routine consists of many such turns, often linked together with no more than a paddle stroke or two between them. Functional FreeStyle uses similar techniques to easily manoeuvre on tight twisty creeks or along other complex shorelines. While these techniques will enhance the performance of almost any canoe, hulls with certain characteristics will be more responsive.

Let’s explore some of these factors
A canoe used primarily for interpretive or functional FreeStyle should have a moderately rounded bottom, soft chines, and modest rocker. These characteristics allow the hull to be heeled or pitched easily and smoothly. The canoe should be narrow enough so that the paddler can (when centred in the boat) readily reach across the gunwales and hold the paddle shaft vertically, with the blade fully submerged. When transverse, it must be wide enough to accommodate the paddler’s feet and legs (from toes to knees). The hull depth should be such that the seat may be mounted high enough for comfortable kneeling with adequate foot clearance.

A modest tumblehome will allow adequate room between the paddler’s shaft hand and the gunwale. Increased tumblehome will allow the canoe to be heeled a bit further without taking water over the rail. Overall, lengths of 12’-14’ are typical for solo canoes and 15’-16’ for tandems. Lastly, a hull used primarily for FreeStyle should be symmetrical. Many skilled paddlers find these same canoes quite satisfying as day and weekend trippers.

Touring/tripping
Canoes designed for touring/tripping may also be fine FreeStyle boats. These hulls will likely be longer and have a bit less rocker. These boats will be faster and easier to hold on course though they may not be quite as nimble when it comes to tight turns. Many modern touring hulls are asymmetrical, which mostly refers to the stern being a bit skegged or pinched. While a skegged stern resists turning while the hull is level, its effect is less when heeled. These boats are quite functional with the various FreeStyle techniques and manoeuvres.

Carbon fibre or Kevlar hull
A top-of-the-line, ultra-light-weight carbon fibre or Kevlar hull may be enticing, but a similar hull of heavier and less expensive fibreglass may perform nearly as well. A Royalex or similar plastic hull may be another step down in price but with the advantage of durability, especially if one paddles in shallow or rocky waters.

At a paddling event some years ago, I had the opportunity to paddle a brand-new Nomad from Colden Canoe. This was a Dave Yost design previously manufactured by Curtis Canoes. The boat was relatively fast and tracked nicely, but it turned beautifully when put through a series of FreeStyle manoeuvres and heeled/pitched smartly. Upon my return to shore, I commented to Paul Meyer (then owner of Colden Canoe) that it was a fine tripper and a lot of fun.

Later that day, I bumped into Dave Yost and asked him what he had intended when he designed the Nomad. He responded, and I paraphrase, “We wanted a fast tripper that would be fun to play with once you reached camp.” Clearly, he nailed it. Unfortunately, Nomad is no longer in production, and I understand the mould no longer exists.

Techniques
FreeStyle is a skill set that can be applied to most canoeing disciplines. Skilled trippers, touring, whitewater paddlers and even top marathon racers often employ these techniques. So, do you want to buy a FreeStyle canoe? How you define your needs and the size of your wallet will define the correct boat for you.