# Canoe Skills Check

Part of the Whitewater Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/whitewater/guide/index.md)

*3. Choose Your Craft*

> **3a.** If you will be using a canoe to earn this merit badge, demonstrate strokes and maneuvers from the [Canoeing merit badge](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/canoeing/) to the satisfaction of your counselor.

Whitewater canoeing assumes you already know how to move the boat on purpose. Your counselor is not looking for fancy freestyle paddling here. They want to see that your flatwater and basic moving-water canoe foundation is solid enough that the rest of the badge can build on it safely.

Review the strokes that control direction, correction, and support. Make sure you can paddle forward cleanly, turn with intention, stop drift before it grows, and stay calm when the canoe tips or catches current. If you are shaky on the basics, whitewater makes those weak spots obvious fast.

**What to polish before the demonstration** — Focus on control, not speed

- [ ] **Forward and turning strokes**: Make the canoe go where you choose without wandering.
- [ ] **Correction strokes**: Show that you can hold a straight line without wasted motion.
- [ ] **Boat angle awareness**: Know how the bow and stern react when current starts helping or resisting.
- [ ] **Stability skills**: Stay balanced and relaxed instead of stiff and panicky.

> **Tip**
>
> If you have not paddled a canoe in a while, practice on calm water before your counselor session. Whitewater skills improve fastest when the underlying stroke mechanics are already automatic.

This requirement also sets up [Req 4](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/whitewater/guide/req4/), where your canoe option asks for more specific whitewater control strokes on calm water.

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- Previous: [Build on Your Paddling Base](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/whitewater/guide/req3/index.md)
- Next: [Kayak Skills Check](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/whitewater/guide/req3b/index.md)