Mike Clark — aka Muddy Mike — is Big Muddy Adventures’ founder and senior guide. He answers your questions about paddling and beyond.

Hey Mike, what should I do if I feel like my canoe is about to capsize? Can I prevent it from tipping over, or am I doomed?
JANET, WENTZVILLE, MO

You’re not doomed, Janet. There are techniques you can use to prevent a leaning canoe from capsizing. The first thing to do is get low in the boat. Drop your weight to the low part of the boat by going to your knees. In other words, literally put your knees on the bottom of the boat. That’s the easiest, fastest method.

Another option is called bracing. Kayakers use this technique to regain stability and prevent capsizing. You can do it with canoes, too. The technique goes like this: As the boat starts to tip, reach out with your paddle, slap the water, and simultaneously drop your head and body toward the water to lower your center of gravity. That’s the gist of it, although there are more nuances to explore, such as using a high brace or a low brace.

There’s one final thing you can do in moments like this: Slow down your thinking. When you sense there’s a risk of tipping over, slow yourself down and don’t panic. By slowing down, your thought process becomes more focused and clear, allowing you to deal with the situation calmly. This way, you won’t overcorrect, which is how paddlers often end up capsizing. They stop the boat from tipping one way, but then it flips the other way.

But most importantly, go to your knees and lower the boat’s center of gravity. Often, that’s all it takes.

Got a question for Muddy Mike? Send it to shawn@terrain-mag.com.

Top image: Muddy Mike on dry land. (Reiss Wegman)