It's awkward to get the paddle in this position, but when the canoeists succeed, they find that it's much easier to get the canoe going in the direction they want with a minimal effort required for correction. This technique is useful in both style paddling and white water paddling. In style paddling, it makes for rock solid beginnings to movements (both forward and reverse) and in white water it's very useful for moving from an eddy back into the current. Once the canoe builds some momentum, the canoe's hull shape assists the paddler in maintaining their course and there's not as much effort required to keep canoe going in the desired direction.