# Tandem Canoe Control

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

*4. Calm-Water Skill Building*

> **4.** Option A—Tandem Canoest. Do ALL of the following strokes and techniques on calm water: **Tandem Canoest**

Work through each child requirement below in order. A tandem canoe only feels smooth when bow and stern paddlers understand their separate jobs and communicate well.

## What You'll Complete

- **[Req 4a1 — Bow Strokes for Tandem Canoes](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/whitewater/guide/req4a1/)**: Learn the bow-side control strokes that help the front paddler set angle, reach across the canoe, and influence the line early.
- **[Req 4a2 — Stern Strokes for Tandem Canoes](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/whitewater/guide/req4a2/)**: Learn the stern-side correction and steering strokes that keep the canoe on course after the bow starts the move.
- **[Req 4a3 — Bracing a Tandem Canoe](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/whitewater/guide/req4a3/)**: Practice support strokes that stop a wobble from becoming a capsize.

> **Tip**
>
> In a tandem canoe, the best partners do not both try to do the same job. The bow usually helps set up the move, while the stern usually finishes and corrects it.

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- Previous: [Pick Your Practice Track](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/whitewater/guide/req4/index.md)
- Next: [Bow Strokes for Tandem Canoes](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/whitewater/guide/req4a1/index.md)