While you can do a traditional draw stroke from the bow (front) of a canoe this isn't what people usually mean when they refer to a bow draw.  Instead a bow draw is a fixed and angled paddle that turns the bow of the canoe towards the paddle using forward momentum of the canoe pushing on the blade of the paddle in the water.

This is also known as a bow cut.

While novice canoe groups find it easier to steer from the stern (back) of the canoe more experienced groups will often find it is better of both paddlers steer, especially in whitewater.  This is also helpful if you are teaching a less experienced paddler in the stern (back) of the canoe how to steer and want to help them out a bit.

canoeing

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