Guideboatguy said it all in a nut shell
Posted by: jackl
on Apr-15-12 6:45 PM (EST)
I don't mean to sound sarcastic, but canoes and kayaks don't tip over, people tip them over.
My guess is you leaned to one side- the boat leaned to the same side, and you panicked and went over insted of paddling forward on that side (a brace) and thus leveling the boat.
You might try sitting in the canoe in calm water/shallows and just hanging out a bit to get the feel of it. Get in a foot or two of water, and paddle it back and forth, but keep your movements slow and easy. If you feel it is going to tip, instead of going with it, paddle a forward stroke on that side with out panicking and watch how the boat levels out.
Give it a little time a patience and I'll bet you'll get used to it.
Jack L