Chicago is surrounded by long, beautiful, historic Midwest waterways and home to some of America's best paddlers. What could be so intriguing about this sport? After all, anyone can do it.

If you'd like to race, try a more challenging current or paddle upstream, you need to learn techniques that make paddling safer and more efficient.

The following techniques apply to canoe and kayak and can be adapted to solo and two-person boats. These skills also can be used by people moving into adventure racing.

Tave Lamperez, a St. Charles-based USCA Certified Canoe instructor and local racer, mentions that, "a beginner can happily paddle down the Fox or Des Plaines rivers with a good forward stroke, backward or stopping stroke, draw and rudder." Let's address these important skills and learn the lingo.

Power Strokes
The beginner power strokes include the forward stroke, the backward stroke and the stop. The basic forward stroke starts with the catch, where you plant the blade firmly in the water. Then the paddler pulls the blade at a steady, even pace straight back through the water. (The paddle shaft should be mostly vertical in this phase.) Finally, there is the recovery, when you get the paddle out of the water and back to the catch. A backward stroke is just the forward stroke in reverse and can be used to slow, stop or turn.

Turning Strokes
The beginner turning strokes include the rudder and draw. To draw, place your paddle far to the side and pull it perpendicularly toward the boat. Done from the bow, drawing steers the boat toward your paddle. Done from the stern, it steers the boat away from the paddle. To rudder, hold your paddle still in the water and change the angle of the blade to slow or turn the boat. It is for avoiding obstacles, buoy turns and quick changes of direction. Finally, Lamperez stresses the importance of a good bracing stroke, ". . . as a beginner, you really don't need any fancy bracing, but the mere act of putting your paddle in the water is a nice, simple brace." In other words, if your canoe is unsteady, get your paddle blade in the water. Bracing helps to steady the canoe and keep it from flipping over. Once you understand these basic strokes and have gathered your boat, paddle and PFD (personal floatation device), you are ready to give it a try. As you practice, keep the following in mind:
* Paddle on opposite sides of the boat (canoe).
* Start and finish each paddle stroke simultaneously with your partner.
* Try to put the stronger, heavier person in the bow (front) of the boat. Weight distribution is critical to how a boat glides through the water. This will have an immediate impact on the speed and steering.

In a canoe, the stern person calls "hut" to simultaneously switch paddlers to the other side. By calling huts at the right time, the stern paddler can maintain a straight boat. Start with calling huts about every 8-10 strokes and, as you improve, call them as needed to stay straight.

Once you have mastered these beginner techniques you will be ready to try a race. After trying a few races, you'll find out that competitive racing requires experience, river knowledge and outstanding teamwork.

Some advanced skills include:
* Knowing how to "Read" the river. Understanding shadows, colors, riffles and current and how to find the safest, easiest way up or down the river.
* Identifying changes in depth and using the appropriate stroke. Shallow water requires a quick, lighter stroke. A stronger stroke and slower cadence work well for deeper water.
* Drafting. In paddling, it is called wake riding. This is, possibly, the toughest racing skill, and it takes flawless teamwork and advanced stroke skills. The reward is the ability to ride another boat's wave for a long time.

The quest to become more skilled can motivate us to keep paddling. And we never tire of the beauty, the wildlife, or the complete sense of peace offered by our exceptional waterways.