For those who have been wondering what Freestyle Canoeing is all about, the following link is to a U Tube site with a variety of routines. Most are labled as being from the 2007 Midwest Freestyle Symposium and national comp. however some are from the LaLou Freestyle Symposium in Louisianna.
At the various symposia we teach precision control of the canoe or as Tom Mackenzie puts it "obediance classes for your canoe". Instruction is at all levels starting with beginner. The techniques taught are geared toward efficient movement of the canoe on any body of water and most are useful while navigating lakes, rivers and creeks. Some of the best whitewater paddlers have freestyle training or in fact teach it themselves. Only a limited number of us take it to the point of choreographing routines to music.
Enjoy watching what you can do with your canoe. Anyone interested in more information should check out the Freestyle website (www.freestylecanoeing.com) or consider attending an upcoming freestyle symposium. Links to the symposia are on the Freestyle website.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ofq_nl366VM&feature=related
Marc Ornstein
Dogpaddle Canoe Works
Custom Canoe Paddles and Cedar Strip Canoes