There’s something special about pushing off from the bank of the Androscoggin River and letting the current carry you into the quiet. No traffic. No noise. Just water, trees, and the rhythm of your paddle. But if you’ve ever wrestled a canoe sideways into a sandbar — or spent twenty minutes spinning in circles with a partner — you know that paddling together takes a little more than good intentions.

Whether you’re renting a canoe or a tandem kayak from us here at Bethel Outdoor Adventure, these tips will help you and your paddling partner move like you actually planned it that way.

Know the River Before You Go

The Androscoggin is a gem for paddlers at any skill level. Stretching 178 miles from Umbagog Lake on the New Hampshire border all the way to Merrymeeting Bay, it’s the third-largest river in Maine — and the stretch that flows right through Bethel is some of the best flatwater paddling in the state.

The Upper Androscoggin through our area is gentle and scenic, making it ideal for first-timers and families. The Androscoggin River Trail offers more than 50 river access points from Lake Umbagog to Merrymeeting Bay, so there’s no shortage of exploration options. And when you’re not on the water, the same corridor draws world-class fly fishers targeting brook, brown, and rainbow trout, plus landlocked salmon. It’s a river worth taking your time on.

We offer self-directed kayak, canoe, and tube rentals with river trip options ranging from about an hour to a half-day float. Some prior paddling experience is helpful — and these tips will make sure you’re ready to make the most of your time on the water.

Tip 1: Get the Weight Right Before You Get In

Half the battle in a tandem boat is fought before you even pick up a paddle. Where weight sits determines how the boat tracks, turns, and stays stable.

The heavier paddler — or the more experienced one — belongs in the stern (rear). This keeps the bow a little lighter and easier to steer, and puts the person with the most control in the position that has the most influence. Gear should be packed low and centered, not piled high in the middle.

Getting in safely matters too. One person holds the boat steady in the shallows while the other steps in and gets centered — then switch. In a sit-in tandem kayak, follow the sequence: foot in, lower yourself to the seat, then bring the other foot in. Rushing this step is how you end up sitting in four inches of river water before the trip starts.

Tip 2: In a Tandem Kayak, the Front Paddler Sets the Beat

Think of tandem kayaking like rowing a boat with two people on different oars — except you’re also supposed to be going the same direction.

The bow (front) paddler sets the pace. The stern paddler matches it. This sounds simple, but it’s the single most common thing tandem pairs get wrong. When the stern paddler tries to power ahead of the bow, paddles clash, the boat fishtails, and everyone gets frustrated. Let the front paddler find a comfortable rhythm and fall in behind it.

To turn, the bow paddler sweeps wide on one side while the stern paddler does a reverse sweep on the opposite side — working together, not against each other.

Tip 3: In a Canoe, the Stern Paddler Does the Steering

Canoes handle a little differently. The stern paddler isn’t just matching pace — they’re actively steering. The classic move is the J-stroke: a standard forward stroke that ends with a small outward flick of the blade, like the bottom of the letter J. That flick corrects the natural tendency for the canoe to swing away from your paddle side. It keeps you straight without switching sides constantly.

If things feel out of sync, the fix is usually simple: one paddler eases up rather than fighting the other. Canoes respond to subtle pressure. Over-paddling on one side will always win — usually in the direction you don’t want to go.

Tip 4: Talk to Each Other

This one sounds obvious until you’re mid-river and your partner just back-paddled without warning.

Before you’re on the water, decide who calls the turns. Usually the stern paddler, since they’re steering. Simple signals — “sweep left,” “back paddle,” “hold” — prevent a lot of confusion and save a lot of energy. The Androscoggin through Bethel is calm enough that you have time to talk it out, which is part of what makes it such a great place to learn.

Tip 5: Let the River Do Some of the Work

The Androscoggin’s gentle current is your friend. You don’t need to be paddling hard every minute — use the current to rest, adjust, and take in the view. The mountain backdrop through the Bethel stretch is one of the nicest stretches of river in western Maine, and you’ll want to look up occasionally.

If you drift toward the bank or get sideways, a few smooth corrective strokes will bring you back. Panic paddling usually makes it worse. Stay calm, paddle together, and let the boat do what it’s designed to do.

Tip 6: Check the Weather — and What Came Before It

A sunny morning on the Androscoggin is a beautiful thing. But what the sky looks like when you arrive isn’t the whole picture. After heavy rain or several days of steady rainfall, the river rises and the current picks up considerably. What’s normally a relaxed float can become something that requires real paddle experience to navigate safely.

If we’ve had significant rain in the days leading up to your trip, check in with us before heading out. We’ll give you an honest read on conditions. When the river is running high and fast, we may recommend waiting it out or holding off if you don’t have prior whitewater or moving-water experience. It’s not about being cautious for the sake of it — it’s about making sure your trip on the river is a good one.

Come Paddle With Us

Bethel Outdoor Adventure & Campground sits right on the Androscoggin River in Bethel, Maine. We rent canoes, single and tandem kayaks, and tubes for self-directed river trips. Some paddling experience is recommended — and if you’re coming as a larger group, we strongly encourage booking ahead. Summer weekends in mid-July and August fill up fast, and we’d hate for you to make the drive only to find us sold out. Our on-site store has everything you forgot to pack, and after a few hours on the water, a hot shower has never felt so good.

Whether you’re camping with us for the week or just stopping in for a day float, we’d love to get you out on the river. The Androscoggin is one of those places that stays with you — and now you’ve got the skills to make the most of it.

Questions? Stop by the office or find us online. We’ll get you pointed the right direction.