Charlie wrote:
I tend to kneel in the centre, it doesn't really matter where I
sit though, I don't usually alter the trim very much as I'm so
light! I find it easier to control and paddle from the centre
though, much more stability for strokes on the off-side!

I may have go the wrong idea of what you mean by "centre", but if
you're in the middle left/right then I doubt that'll do your J (or
goon) stroke any good at all compared to being over to the side of
the boat you're paddling on.
Strokes on the offside are generally only for more extreme
maneuvers, you should be able to control the boat overall for
direction from just the one side with it heeled slightly over
towards the paddling side. The main reason to move over if you're
not doing something like an outside pivot turn is, AIUI, to change
the muscles in use.
"Canoeing" chapter 16 ("The canoe") suggests a position just ahead
of the stern thwart offset to the paddling side to heel the boat
slightly with the bow slightly up is a good fla****er cruising
position. If it's white water I'll not try and give advice, I only
do that in a double, usually as the bow paddler doing what I'm told!

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/