The 2 X 4 Method by Andrew Westwood

As solo whitewater canoes have shrunk in length and hull designs have become more advanced, paddlers need to break away from the mindset that solo canoes should be paddled like tandem tripping canoes. While corrective strokes behind the paddler’s hips can still be effective, with shorter canoes these strokes can also dramatically slow momentum with a resulting loss of control. Driving and controlling the canoe from the front (cab-forward) provides better control for solo river-runners and whitewater canoes.

The 2 X 4 method refers to the use of the two forward strokes (forward and cross forward) and four stroke elements (cadence, angle, position and tilt) to drive the canoe from the front in a cab-forward style. The method builds on the concept of carving, or paddling an arcing path. It makes use of the bow wave that is formed whenever the canoe is moving forward. When the hull is flat, the wave formed is identical on both sides of the bow. When the pressure is reduced on one side of the bow by changing the heel or tilt of the canoe an asymmetric, larger wave is formed on the outside. The canoe will then turn (carve) away from the larger wave.

When an equal or greater force is exerted on the opposite side with paddle strokes, the canoe will move forward in a controlled arc. The canoeist controls the bow wave by varying the forces of the forward stroke and tilt of the canoe. The size of the arch is controlled by the 4 stroke elements (CAPT):

• Cadence - slowing the cadence will tighten the turn, and increasing the cadence will straighten the arc
• Angle - a vertical shaft with hands stacked over the water will tighten the turn, and a shaft that is inclined over the canoe will straighten or switch the arc
• Position – position the stroke in front of the knee to tighten the turn, and extend the stroke to the hip to straighten the arc.
• Tilt - tilt the hull to tighter the turn, and flatten the hull to straighten or switch the arc.

Here are some drills to help practice the 2 X 4 method:

Carving Circles - carve a continuous arc.

• Begin paddling forward with a single stroke on the side you want to carve an arc.
• Followed by 2 strokes on the opposite side, to establish momentum
• Cross back to your first side, momentary pause as you switch back, tilt and begin paddling using the 4 variables of the forward stroke to control the arc.
• Start with a small circle and gradually increase the diameter of the circle to an arc that resembles a straight path

Figure 8 - performing the Figure 8 helps develop effective carving and switching between onside and offside arcs.

• To prepare to switch from a carve in one direction to a carve in another direction, Speed up your strokes—or—Angle your shaft more—or—Lengthen your stroke to begin to straighten your carve.
• Plant for a forward stroke but with the shaft angled like a sweep or a cross forward sweep.
• Look in the direction that the new carve will be in as you power your sweep stroke.
• Your sweep will help you level your canoe.
• Pause in your stroke cadence as you cross over to paddle the inside of your new arc.

The 2 X 4 Method is used to is used to enter and exit current in peel-outs, eddy turns, C-turns and S-turns. Here is a practice session using 2 X 4 flatwater drills:


Manville Dam from Erik Eckilson on Vimeo.

Links:
Using 2 X 4 Method from Westwood Outdoors

Eddy Turns using Arcs

Eddy Turns using Troughs

Eddy Turns using SHARC

Essential Strokes for Tandem Maneuvers