"Your bow paddler will quickly get frustrated if they feel like they are paddling all over the lake". Amen! We use 3 person crews and that is the best way to initiate a mutiny! :)
I'm always the stern paddler. Since I'm basically the one steering, I watch the bow paddler and switch to the other side when she or he does. Simple, no communication needed. My wife dislocated her left shoulder ( twice!) A couple of years ago and can't paddle on her left side. I compensate by paddling on the left using a regular stroke and switching to a j stroke in the right.
I respectfully disagree. The correct way to load into a canoe is to first walk out into the water. Attempting to launch without getting wet just leads to all kids of bad habits (like dragging the canoe bottom).
The bow paddler has to listen for the subtile sound of the dripping paddle when the rear paddler is lifting the paddle preparing for a new stroke. Are you kidding me???? This isn't Olympic rowing....some basic paddle techniques and enjoy yourself...
I do not fully agree of your tandem methods. We normally let the rear paddler be the clock of the paddling. The bow paddler has to listen for the subtile sound of the dripping paddle when the rear paddler is lifting the paddle preparing for a new stroke. If the rear paddler performs correct J strokes, he or she can perform a straight paddling course with a steady rythm. Course corrections will be done on every stroke without any big deviation. In my oppinion rythm and direction shall be fully controlled by the rear paddler. The bow paddler has to adapt to the timing and only produce a straight thrust synchronized with the rear paddler.
