What are the characteristics of a good steerer?
The steerer has without question the greatest degree of responsibility within the canoe, one that is often overlooked by other paddlers. They must steer a good coarse, read the ocean and work the canoe so its interacts and travels at its maximum potential at all times. They most motivate the crew, call changes to stroke rates if they feel it necessary and ensure the overall safety of the canoe. Experience counts for a lot in this position. Time on the water in all conditions is crucial and an intuitive understanding of ocean dynamics is crucial to achieving maximum canoe speed. In this respect it is said that surfers often make the best steerers. Curiously the best steerers happen also to be more and more so, excellent solo outrigger canoeists.
